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Aenictus kodaguensis
| Aenictus kodaguensis | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Dorylinae |
| Genus: | Aenictus |
| Species group: | pachycerus |
| Species: | A. kodaguensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Aenictus kodaguensis Sahoo, Sahanashree, Priyadarsanan & Datta-Roy, 2024
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,_a_unique_species_from_India._Asian_Myrmecology_17-_e017003-1-7,_Fig._1C.png)
This species is only from the type locality and one nontype locality so far.
Identification
A member of the Aenictus pachycerus species group.
Sahoo et al. (2024) - Aenictus kodaguensis is different from all other Aenictus species reported from India by having a shagreened gaster and a peculiar transverse ridge in lateral mesosoma. It shares a close resemblance to Aenictus paradentatus, by having a shagreened gaster. However, A. kodaguensis differs from A. paradentatus in having a shorter scape (measuring <0.82 mm; with SI <115) compared to A. paradentatus, which measures more than 0.92 mm, with SI >117. The masticatory margin of the mandible in the former bears 5 denticles, while the latter bears 11-12 denticles. Further distinctions lie in the absence of longitudinal rugae on the dorsal and lateral promesonotum of A. kodaguensis, in contrast to the presence of multiple distinct longitudinal rugae on the dorsal and lateral promesonotum of the latter.
A. kodaguensis also exhibits similarities with Aenictus dentatus and Aenictus bobaiensis by having a microreticulated head and mesosoma. However, A. dentatus can be differentiated by having a much longer scape (SI> 142) (Jaitrong & Wiwatwitaya 2013) and a smooth first gastral tergite (Jaitrong et al. 2012), while A. kodaguensis has a shagreened gaster and a shorter scape (SI<115). Similarly, A. bobaiensis is a larger species (TL 4.85–5.10 mm; HW 0.90–0.98 mm) (Jaitrong & Wiwatwitaya 2013) compared to A. kodaguensis (TL 3.57- 4.21; HW 0.67- 0.76).
Keys including this Species
Distribution
Latitudinal Distribution Pattern
Latitudinal Range: 12.7° to 12.2°.
| North Temperate |
North Subtropical |
Tropical | South Subtropical |
South Temperate |
- Source: Sahoo et al., 2024
Distribution based on type material
Distribution based on AntMaps
Distribution based on AntWeb specimens
Check data from AntWeb
Countries Occupied
| Number of countries occupied by this species based on AntWiki Regional Taxon Lists. In general, fewer countries occupied indicates a narrower range, while more countries indicates a more widespread species. |
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Estimated Abundance
| Relative abundance based on number of AntMaps records per species (this species within the purple bar). Fewer records (to the left) indicates a less abundant/encountered species while more records (to the right) indicates more abundant/encountered species. |
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Biology
Sahoo et al. (2024) - Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is a significant forest area in Karnataka situated within the central Western Ghats, features a distinctive landscape comprising evergreen forests and grassland shola habitat, typical of the higher elevations of the Western Ghats. Annual rainfall is 6000- 7000 mm, with an average annual temperature ranging from 10- 34°C (Mallesha 2008). In the type locality, specimens were collected from under a large rotting log where the bivouac was present. The non-type specimens from the Honey Valley estate were collected from leaf litter. Both collections were made in April, prior to the monsoon season.
Castes
This species is known only from the worker caste.
Nomenclature
The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.
- kodaguensis. Aenictus kodaguensis Sahoo et al., 2024: 2, figs. 1, 2B (w.) INDIA (Karnataka).
Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description.
Type Material
- Aenictus kodaguensis: Holotype (designated by Sahoo et al., 2024), 1 worker, Karnataka, Kodagu, Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, India, 12°39′43″N 75°41′13″E / 12.662°N 75.687°E, 26.iv.2022, Bikash Sahoo, AIMB/Hy/Fr 250014, AIMB.
- Aenictus kodaguensis: Paratypes (designated by Sahoo et al., 2024), 101 workers, Karnataka, Kodagu, Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, India, 12°39′43″N 75°41′13″E / 12.662°N 75.687°E, 26.iv.2022, Bikash Sahoo, AIMB.
Description
Worker
Measurements and indices. Holotype: HL, 0.82; HW, 0.67; SL, 0.68; WL, 1.08; PL1, 0.3; PL2, 0.27; GL, 1.1; TL, 3.57; CI, 81.7; SI, 101.49. Paratypes: HL, 0.81- 0.88; HW, 0.70- 0.76; SL, 0.76- 0.81; WL, 1.19- 1.28; PL1, 0.32- 0.37; PL2, 0.32- 0.36; GL, 1.15- 1.36; TL, 3.89- 4.21; CI, 82- 90; SI, 104-114.
In full-face view, head rectangular, longer than broad, with lateral margins slightly convex; posterior margin straight to weakly convex; parafrontal ridge well developed, reaching almost midlength of the head (ca. 0.28mm). Antennae 10 segmented; scape long, reaching posterior margin of the head; anterior clypeal margin convex, produced in the middle and without teeth; mandible sub-triangular and thick, its masticatory margin with a large apical tooth followed by 5 denticles of similar size.
In profile, mesosoma compact; dorsal outline of promesonotum convex; metanotal groove weak; a groove separates the mesonotum from the mesopleuron; a distinct transverse carina present across the lateral mesosoma, dividing the mesopleuron from the metapleuron (Fig. 1B); propodeum lower to promesonotum; dorsal outline of propodeum weakly convex; declivity concave, encircled with a rim.
In profile, both petiole and postpetiole globular; slightly longer than broad, while in some paratypes, length and height are the same; dorsum convex, with dorsal outline elevated posteriorly. Petiole subsessile; subpetiolar process present but indistinct, reduced with a straight ventral outline; petiolar spiracle, small, located anteriorly on lateral surface; post petiolar spiracle small, located near the middle on lateral surface. Gaster oval.
Head entirely microreticulate; mandibles with striation and few punctures; mesosoma, petiole, and postpetiole entirely microreticulate. Lateral mesonotum, propodeum, petiole with few distinct, irregular superficial rugae, and postpetiole with light rugae.
Dorsum promesonotum, propodeum, petiole, and postpetiole with light superficial rugae. Rugae absent on lateral pronotum. First gastral tergite superficially shagreened with smooth and shinning interspaces; legs and antennae finely microreticulate.
Whole body with sparse, suberect hairs; longer hairs present on scape, occiput, dorsum of petiole, and postpetiole; relatively shorter hairs present on lateral sides of mesosoma, petiole, postpetiole and short decumbent hairs on gaster. Hairs relatively denser on the gaster, funiculus of antenna, tibia, and tarsus.
Head and mandible dark reddish brown; head with a black patch on vertex; body dark reddish brown to black; gaster black with yellow apical end; legs and antennae light brown.
Etymology
The species is named after its type locality, the district Kodagu in Karnataka state, where Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is situated.