Anochetus hirsutus new species
Type location Cameroun.
This has no obvious close relatives and is characterised by
the unique development of extensive fine long pilosity.
Comparison with Anochetus pubescens (from Zimbabwe, grassy area). That has a similar HW but this has longer scapes
and
funiculi; a more rounded apex to the petiole profile, petiole in
anterior view with a weakly concave upper margin; a rounded not
angular
profile to the propodeum; eye with ca 100 ommatidia (pubescens has 33).
TL ca 3.6 (gaster & alitrunk) + HL 1.27 = 5.9 mm (sedilloti TL 6-6.5 mm); HL 1.27, HW 1.10, SL 1.13, PW ; CI 87 (sedilloti 100) SI 103 (sedilloti 83) OI 29 (EL/HWX100) (sedilloti 27); mandible length 0.90/ HL
X 100 = 71 (sedilloti = 53)
Collected from Cameroun,
Awae, 03°54’30”N; 11°25’58”E; > 500 m; A Fotso Kuate, 15.i.2008;
quadrat in forest.
Brown's (1978) Asian key leads to Anochetus sedilloti. Perhaps unique
among African members of the genus in having a double inner margin to
the mandibles, found in the cato-group
from the Western Pacific rim, and the risii-group
from the same area together with Southeast Asia. This species,
however, appears unique in having small teeth on the upper margin and
not on the lower margin. The surface of the head essentially is smooth
and shiny but with
the minute hair insertions clearly visible. Most of the alitrunk and
lateral petiole with sub-rugose sculpture semi-concealed by the dense
fine pilosity. On the scapes the dense fine sub-erect pilosity is
longer than all but the median thickness of the scape.
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