Aenictus pangantihoni Zettel & Sorger, 2010

Jaitrong, Weeyawat & Yamane, Seiki, 2012, Review of the Southeast Asian species of the Aenictus javanus and Aenictus philippinensis species groups (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Aenictinae), ZooKeys 193, pp. 49-78 : 64-66

Aenictus pangantihoni Zettel & Sorger, 2010 Figs 812

Aenictus pangantihoni Zettel and Sorger 2010: 120, figs. 5-8, 13.

Types.

Holotype (USC) and 56 paratype workers (NHMV, SKYC, THNHM) from Philippines, Camiguin, West of Mambajao, Katibawasan area, 350 m a.s.l., H. Zettel and C.V. Pangantihon leg. Four paratype workers in SKYC and THNHM were examined.

Measurements.

Paratype (n = 4): TL 4.00-4.10 mm; HL 0.83-0.88 mm; HW 0.78-0.80 mm; SL 0.55-0.63 mm; ML 1.38-1.43 mm; PL 0.35-0.38 mm; CI 91-95; SI 75-78.

Description of worker

(paratypes). Head in full-face view slightly longer than broad, with sides slightly convex and posterior margin almost straight; occipital margin forming a distinct carina; seen in profile occipital corner of head rounded. Antennal scape relatively short, slightly extending 2/3 of head length; antennal segment II slightly longer than each of III-VI; terminal segment almost as long as VII+VIII+IX. Frontal carinae short fused at the level of antennal base to form a single carina and slightly extending beyond the level of the posterior margin of torulus, poorly developed in posterior half. Parafrontal ridge short, extending less than 1/3 of head length, 0.17 mm long, seen in profile weakly developed in the middle. Masticatory margin of mandible with a large apical tooth followed by a series of 7-9 denticles of two sizes, the larger ones alternating with 1-3 of smaller size. Mesosoma in profile with promesonotum weakly convex dorsally and sloping gradually to metanotal groove; metanotal groove distinct and deep; upper portion of mesopleuron impressed; propodeum slightly lower than mesonotum; propodeal junction right-angled; declivity of propodeum shallowly concave, encircled with a distinct rim. Petiole subsessile, distinctly longer than high; subpetiolar process almost absent; postpetiole as long as petiole (including short pedicel) and almost as long as high, with its node rounded dorsally. Legs relatively short, seen from side with greatly swollen femora.

Head entirely smooth and shiny, except for hair pits; mandible smooth and shiny, with scattered punctures; antennal scape superficially shagreened. Pronotum smooth and shiny except for its anteriormost portion reticulate; lateral face of pronotum smooth and shiny, with a narrow ventral belt that is impressed and reticulate, this belt continuing posteriorly, running along posterior margin of the lateral face, approaching dorsal face of pronotum; mesonotum smooth and shiny; mesopleuron, metapleuron and propodeum densely punctuate/reticulate and mat except for isolated small shiny areas. Both petiole and postpetiole microrecticulate except dorsal faces smooth and shiny. Femora superficially shagreened with smooth and shiny interspaces; tibiae superficially shagreened, partly smooth and shiny.

Head and mesosoma dorsally with relatively sparse standing hairs; longest pronotal hair 0.2-0.25 mm long. Entire body reddish brown.

Distribution.

Philippines (Camiguin Island) (Fig. 12).

Bionomics.

So far Aenictus pangantihoni is known only from the type locality. The type material was collected from a trail lined with some bushes and trees in a pasture area at an elevation ca. 350 m ( Zettel and Sorger 2010).

Remarks.

Aenictus pangantihoni is most similar in general appearance to Aenictus rabori . However, it is easily distinguished from the latter as follows: smaller than Aenictus rabori (HW 0.78-0.80 mm, TL 4.00-4.10 mm in Aenictus pangantihoni ; HW 0.83-0.85 mm, TL 4.35-4.45 mm in Aenictus rabori ); seen in profile occipital corner of head round, without protruding lobe (with a lobe in Aenictus rabori ); sides of head entirely smooth and shiny (partly superficially shagreened with smooth and shiny interspaces in Aenictus rabori ).