Lordomyrma curvata

Lordomyrma curvata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Formicidae
Subfamily:	Myrmicinae
Tribe:	Crematogastrini
Genus:	Lordomyrma
Species:	L. curvata
Binomial name
Lordomyrma curvata Sarnat, 2006 Specimen Labels

The three known collections of L. curvata are restricted to the island of Vanua Levu, two of which were taken by litter sifting. Thus far, L. curvata is the only species of Lordomyrma that is endemic to Vanua Levu. (Sarnat 2016)

Identification

Sarnat (2016) - One of the smallest species of Fijian Lordomyrma, in general appearance L. curvata is most similar to Lordomyrma levifrons and Lordomyrma polita. Like these species it has relatively large eyes, long propodeal spines and lobes, and a reddish brown integument. Two characters that separate curvata from the aforementioned species are the upturned shape of the propodeal spines and the well-developed rugoreticulum present posterior to the eyes. While Lordomyrma rugosa and Lordomyrma striatella both possess rugoreticulate occipital corners, only in L. curvata are the antennal scrobes and area between the frontal carinae covered by a smooth and shining surface. The only other species that possesses strongly upcurved spines is Lordomyrma stoneri, from which L. curvata can be readily differentiated by the rugoreticulate posterior corners of the head and substantially smaller size.

Keys including this Species

• Key to Lordomyrma species

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: -16.583° to -16.7°.

North Temperate	North Subtropical	Tropical	South Subtropical	South Temperate

• Source: AntMaps

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Indo-Australian Region: Fiji (type locality).

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.

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.

Nomenclature

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

• curvata. Lordomyrma curvata Sarnat, 2006: 15, figs. 2, 3 (w.) FIJI IS.

Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description.

Description

Worker

TL 3.32–3.86, HL 0.72–0.73, HW 0.59–0.62, CI 0.83–0.86, SI 0.71–0.73, REL 0.22–0.25, PSLI 1.25–1.30, MFLI 0.93–0.97, DPWI 1.05–1.10 (3 measured).

A small reddish brown species with long upcurved spines, long hair and a broad well-defined antennal scrobe. In full face view, posterior margin of head evenly convex with rounded corners. Clypeus with one pair of carinae extending from posterior margin to anterior margin. Frontal carinae distinct, extending posteriorly behind eyes and curving back anteriorly to form both the upper and lower margins of the antennal scrobes. Eyes relatively large. In lateral view promesonotum modestly sized, convex. Propodeal spines acute, upcurved and divergent, one and one third times as long as width of procoxa in lateral view as measured from propodeal spiracle. Propodeal lobes strong, long and upturned. Petiole robustly built; in lateral view anterior face of node concave and steeply sloped, posterior face convex and gently sloped. Postpetiole with anterior and dorsal faces both evenly convex, apex occurring near midline, anterodorsally compressed. Mandibles smooth and shining with sparse setigerous foveolae. Middorsum of head smooth and shining with scattered setigerous foveolae; carinae present mesad of frontal carinae. Frontal lobes with one pair of carinae in addition to the frontal carinae. In oblique lateral view, rugoreticulum behind, above and below the eye; posterior corners of head rugoreticulate. Promesonotum smooth and shining with a few weak rugae on sides; smooth and shining on dorsum with scattered smaller foveolae laterally and larger foveolae near apex. In dorsal view, propodeum smooth and shining with a distinct transverse carina proximal to the metanotal groove; declivitous face smooth and shining. Sides of mesonotum, metapleuron and propodeum overlain by coarse, widely spaced and occasionally intersecting rugae. Petiole and postpetiole coarsely rugoreticulate. All dorsal surfaces with acuminate yellowish hairs, the longest of which exceed the length of the eye. Head, mesosoma and gaster reddish brown, appendages lighter.

Type Material

Holotype.Worker, FIJI: Vanua Levu: Kasavu Village, 16°42'S 179°39'E, 300 m, 28.viii.2003 (A. Rakabula) (Fiji National Insect Collection, Suva). Paratype. 1 worker, same data as holotype (National Museum of Natural History). Holotype will be deposited in FNIC.

References

• Liu, X., Xu. Z., Hita Garcia, F. 2021. Taxonomic review of the ant genus Lordomyrma Emery, 1897 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from China, with description of two new species and an identification key to the known species of the world. Asian Myrmecology 14: e014007 (doi:10.20362/am.014007).
• Sarnat, E. M. 2006. Lordomyrma (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the Fiji Islands. In N. L. Evenhuis and D. J. Bickel, editors. Fiji Arthropods VI, Bishop Museum Occasional Papers. 90:9-42. Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Hawaii.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

• Lucky A., and E. M. Sarnat. 2008. New species of Lordomyrma (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Southeast Asia and Fiji. Zootaxa 1681: 37-46.
• Sarnat Eli M. 2009. The Ants [Hymenoptera: Formicdiae] of Fiji: Systematics, Biogeography and Conservation of an Island Arc Fauna. 80-252
• Sarnat, Eli M. 2006. Lordomyrma (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the Fiji Islands. Fiji Arthropods VI. 9-42.