Aenictus popeyei

Aenictus popeyei
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Formicidae
Subfamily:	Dorylinae
Genus:	Aenictus
Species group:	popeyei
Species:	A. popeyei
Binomial name
	Aenictus popeyei; Gómez, 2022 Specimen Label

Nothing is known about the biology of this species.

Identification

A member of the Aenictus popeyei species group.

In contrast to the similar Aenictus brutus, the mandibles of A. popeyei are hemispherical and smooth in the upper half, while A. brutus has mandibles that are flat, rugulose, quadrate, and feature an excavated central part that becomes almost translucent in some individuals. Additionally, A. popeyei is smaller, with head width (HW) measurements ranging from 0.78 to 0.90, compared to 0.98 to 1.04 in A. brutus (Gómez et al. (2024)).

Keys including this Species

Key to the Afrotropical Aenictus

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: 9° to 7°.


North Temperate	North Subtropical	Tropical	South Subtropical	South Temperate

Source: Gomez, 2022

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Afrotropical Region: Cameroun, Nigeria.

Distribution based on AntMaps

Distribution based on AntWeb specimens

Check data from AntWeb

Biology

Castes

Known from the worker caste. Table of castes known for all Afrotropical Aenictus species.

Gómez 2022. Figure 26C-E, CASENT0810234.

Nomenclature

The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.

popeyei. Aenictus popeyei Gómez, 2022: 43, figs. 1E, 26A-E, 27 (w.) CAMEROON.
- Type-material: holotype worker, 5 paratype workers.
- Type-locality: holotype Cameroon: Subdiv. de Betare-Oya, Garoua-Boulayi, 19-22.vii.1949 (B. Malkin); paratypes with same data.
- Type-depository: CASC.
- Distribution: Cameroon, Nigeria.

Type Material

Holotype worker, CAMEROON: • Subdiv. de Betare-Oya, Garoua-Boulayi VII.19-22.49 (Borys Malkin) (1w) [CASENT0810234] California Academy of Sciences.
Paratype workers: • same series (5 pins, 1w each) [CASENT0810235, CASENT0840000 to CASENT0840003].

Description

WORKER HL: 0.75 [0.72-0.79]; HW: 0.84 [0.78-0.89]; SL: 0.57 [0.53-0.59]; WL: 1.26 [1.2-1.35]; PL: 0.29 [0.25-0.31]; PH: 0.23 [0.20-0.25]; PPL: 0.22 [0.20-0.25]; PPH: 0.20 [0.18-0.22]; CS: 0.8 [0.75-0.84]; CI: 111 [108-115]; SIL: 75 [72-78]; SIW: 67 [64-72]; WL/HW: 150 [144-156]; PI: 123 [113-133]; PPI: 108 [100-119]; CSR: 112; (n=15).

With the characters defined for the popeyei group and: scape moderately long, reaching the three quarters of the head when laid back (SIL~75). All funicular segments longer than wide, the apical more than twice longer than wide; the last four widening to the apical. Head wider than long (CI~110), widest at mandibular insertions or slightly above and narrowing to the occipital line, this apical vertex a straight line, clearly shorter than the line at mandible insertions. Ventrolateral margin developed, extending ventrally to its medial line.

Mandibles very characteristic, massive, almost as big as the rest of the head; armed with one long sharp apical tooth followed by a subapical tooth; the medial section clearly concave, followed by a thickened basal half, circular in shape surrounded by a thin, sharp cutting edge that continues basally. In lateral view, this basal half clearly protrudes the apical half. Petiole subsessile with anterolateral and anterodorsal carina present, dorsolateral carina absent; propodeal dome elliptical in lateral view, the anterior face straight sloping 45 degrees aprox. Posterior face vertical. Postpetiole subrectangular with near vertical anterior and posterior face, forming both a square rounded angle with the dorsal surface. Subpetiolar process developed, elliptical to triangular, rounded and oriented downwards or slightly backwards; lamella present, variable but usually developed.

Mandibles rugulose with smooth patches in some individuals, especially in the distal rounded half; scapes, head, pronotum mesonotum, gaster, dorsal surfaces of petiole and postpetiole and legs glassy smooth. Mesopleurae and pronotum strongly reticulated; metapleurae irregularly and horizontally rugulose; remainder of petiole and posteptiole reticulated to alutaceus. Head and mesosoma dark reddish brown. Antennae, gaster, coxae and legs yellow to yellowish brown. Whole body covered with white setae unequal in length, from short to very long, these clearly longer than petiole height; erect to semierect in scape, funiculus, mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole; decumbent to semierect on abdomen. No pubescence noted.

Etymology

The species name popeyei is Latinized noun in the genitive case, named after the cartoon character Popeye. It can’t be denied that mandibles do look alike.

References