Zasphinctus obamai

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Zasphinctus obamai
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Dorylinae
Genus: Zasphinctus
Species group: obamai
Species: Z. obamai
Binomial name
Zasphinctus obamai
Hita Garcia, 2017

Z obamai casent0178218 p 1 high.jpg

Z obamai casent0178218 d 1 high.jpg

Specimen Labels

Zasphinctus obamai is only known from the type locality, the Kakamega Forest in Western Kenya, which is a tropical equatorial rainforest. Despite a thorough ant inventory (Hita Garcia et al. 2009), Z. obamai was only sampled four times making it one of the rarest ant species of the Kakamega Forest. It was only found in the leaf litter layer of primary or near-primary forest habitats. Considering the rarity of this species in the type locality it is possible that it might also be encountered in other rainforest localities westwards of Kakamega, but eluded collections in the past. However, presently, Z. obamai appears to be endemic to this one forest. (Hita Garcia et al. 2017)

Photo Gallery

  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 23. Shaded surface display volume renderings of 3D models of Z. obamai (CASENT0764125). A, full body in profile. B, full body in dorsal view. C, head in full-face view (with antennae). D, head in full-face view (without antennae). E, head in ventral view. F, abdominal segment II (petiole) in profile. G, abdominal segment II (petiole) in dorsal view. H, tergum of AS III in dorsal view I sternum of AS III in ventral view.

Identification

Hita Garcia et al. (2025) - With characters of the Z. obamai group (Figs 19D, F, H, 20D, F, H):

  • body size significantly smaller (HL 0.54–0.60; WL 0.73–0.87)
  • head in full-face view appearing thinner (CI 78–80)
  • head in profile appearing conspicuously thinner, its underside only slightly curved
  • clypeal area always without conspicuous median tooth
  • torular-posttorular complex in dorsal view with sides more or less parallel
  • torular-posttorular complex in profile strongly arched anteriorly towards highest dorsal point and posterodorsally lobate
  • vertexal margin in posterodorsal view strongly developed delimiting posterior face of head
  • anterior outline of occipital margin in ventral view moderately or weakly and irregularly defined and with anterolateral projections angulate (in Z. obamai rounded)
  • vertex with clear margin laterally and not appearing fused to the occiput
  • anterior outline of postoccipital margin in ventral view moderately or weakly and irregularly defined and with anterolateral projections angulate; mesosoma in profile relatively lower and elongate (LMI 34–37)
  • pleural endophragmal pit strongly developed and deep
  • petiolar tergum in profile relatively lower (LPI 112-123)
  • mesosoma in dorsal view appearing thinner and elongate (DMI 38–40; DMI2 49–53)
  • petiolar tergum in profile relatively lower, ~ 0.8–0.9 × higher than long (LPI 112–123)
  • petiolar tergum in dorsal view thinner, ~ 0.8–0.9 × broader than long (DPI 82–93)
  • abdominal tergum III in dorsal view strongly trapezoidal with anterior margin more angulate
  • abdominal sternum III in ventral view rounded trapezoidal, comparatively thinner and higher, sides less rounded
  • usually with conspicuous surface sculpture somewhere on body (except for piliferous foveae), usually on cephalic dorsum and sides of mesosoma

Plus the following:

  • body size significantly much smaller (HL 0.55–0.59; WL 0.73–0.81)
  • lateral arms of hypostomal carina less diverging, relatively thin, and angulate at widest points (Fig. 8F)
  • postgenal sulcus restricted to area adjacent to hypostomal carina and only weakly impressed (Fig. 8F)
  • postoccipital margin in ventral view with anterior outline moderately or weakly and irregularly defined
  • anterolateral projections rounded (Fig. 8F)
  • pleural endophragmal pit weakly developed and shallow but visible (Fig. 10F)
  • subpetiolar process of petiole (AS II) in profile with extremely thickened anterior and ventral margins and well developed concavity with differentiated fenestra (Fig. 13F)
  • posterior end of abdominal segment III in ventral view with thick, deep, sharply and irregularly outlined transverse groove (Fig. 16F)
  • prora in anteroventral view well-developed with thick, irregularly shaped and rounded lateroventral margins (Fig. 16F)
  • surface sculpture on cephalic dorsum and genae mostly smooth and shiny, with abundant and small piliferous foveae, except for reticulate-punctate anteromedian area (Figs 4F, 5F, 19F, 20F)
  • general surface sculpture on mesosoma and metasoma mostly smooth and shiny with abundant piliferous punctures, except for reticulate-punctate anterior pronotum, mesopleuron, lateral propodeum, most of lateral petiole, and hypopygidium (Figs 20F, 21F)
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 4. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the head in full-face view (the remainder of the body virtually removed) (torular-posttorular complex in semi-transparent red; anterior projections of parafrontal ridges in semi-transparent yellow). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui paratype (CASENT0764653). C, Z. lolae holotype (KGCOL02270). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRACFOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai holotype (CASENT0764654). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 5. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the head in profile view (the remainder of the body virtually removed) (torular-posttorular complex in semi-transparent red). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui paratype (CASENT0764653). C, Z. lolae paratype (CASENT0764651). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (KGCOL02270). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai holotype (CASENT0764654). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 6. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the head in posterodorsal view (the remainder of the body virtually removed) (occipital margin in semi-transparent red; vertexal margin in semi-transparent yellow). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui paratype (CASENT0764653). C, Z. lolae holotype (KGCOL02270). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRACFOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai holotype (CASENT0764654). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 7. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the head in posterior view (the remainder of the body virtually removed) (occipital margin in semi-transparent red; vertexal margin in semi-transparent yellow). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui paratype (CASENT0764653). C, Z. lolae holotype (KGCOL02270). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRACFOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai holotype (CASENT0764654). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 8. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the head in ventral view (the remainder of the body virtually removed) (hypostoma in semi-transparent red; postgenal sulcus in semi-transparent yellow; postoccipital carina in semi-transparent green). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui paratype (CASENT0764653). C, Z. lolae paratype (CASENT0764651). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRACFOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai paratype (CASENT0764650). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 10. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the mesosoma in profile view (the remainder of the body virtually removed) (pleural endophragmal pit concavity in semi-transparent yellow). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui paratype (CASENT0764653). C, Z. lolae holotype (KGCOL02270). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRACFOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai paratype (CASENT0764650). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 11. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the mesosoma in dorsal view (the remainder of the body virtually removed). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui paratype (CASENT0764653). C, Z. lolae holotype (KGCOL02270). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRAC-FOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai paratype (CASENT0764650). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 12. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the mesosoma in posterior view focusing on propodeal declivity (outline of declivity in semi-transparent yellow). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui paratype (CASENT0764653). C, Z. lolae paratype (CASENT0764651). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRACFOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai paratype (CASENT0764650). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 13. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the tergum of AS II (petiole) in profile view (the remainder of the body virtually removed) (tergum in semi-transparent red, laterotergite in semi-transparent yellow). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui paratype (CASENT0764653). C, Z. lolae holotype (KGCOL02270). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRACFOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai paratype (CASENT0764650). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 14. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the tergum of AS II (petiole) in dorsal view (the remainder of the body virtually removed). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui holotype (KGCOL00589). C, Z. lolae holotype (KGCOL02270). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRACFOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai paratype (CASENT0764650). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 15. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the tergum of AS III in dorsal view (the remainder of the body virtually removed). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui paratype (CASENT0764653). C, Z. lolae paratype (CASENT0764651). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRAC-FOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai paratype (CASENT0764650). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 16. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the sternum of AS III in ventral view (the remainder of the body virtually removed) (Bum in semi-transparent yellow, prora in semi-transparent red). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui paratype (CASENT0764653). C, Z. lolae paratype (CASENT0764651). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRACFOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai paratype (CASENT0764650). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 17. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the tergum of AS VI in dorsal view (the remainder of the body virtually removed) (outline of post-sclerite tergum in semi-transparent red). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui paratype (CASENT0764653). C, Zasphinctus lolae paratype (CASENT0764651). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRACFOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai paratype (CASENT0764650). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 18. Diagnostic plate showing still images from surface volume renderings of the sternites of AS III-VII in ventral view (the remainder of the body virtually removed) (girdling constrictions with cross-ribbed sculpture are in semi-transparent red; unsculptured girdling constrictions are in semi-transparent yellow). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui paratype (CASENT0764653). C, Z. lolae paratype (CASENT0764651). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRACFOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai paratype (CASENT0764650). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 19. Diagnostic plate showing head in full-face view of all species treated herein (stacked colour images). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui holotype (KGCOL00589). C, Z. lolae holotype (KGCOL02270). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRACFOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai paratype (CASENT0764650). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 20. Diagnostic plate showing full body in profile view of all species treated herein (stacked colour images). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui holotype (KGCOL00589). C, Z. lolae holotype (KGCOL02270). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRACFOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai holotype (CASENT0764654). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).
  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 21. Diagnostic plate showing full body in dorsal view of all species treated herein (stacked colour images). A, Z. aprilia holotype (CASENT0764763). B, Z. kouakoui holotype (KGCOL00589). C, Z. lolae holotype (KGCOL02270). D, Z. lumumbai holotype (MRACFOR0010007). E, Z. ndouri holotype (KGCOL01883). F, Z. obamai holotype (CASENT0764125). G, Z. sarowiwai holotype (CASENT0764654). H, Z. wilsoni holotype (MCZ-ENT00512764).

Keys including this Species

Distribution

  • Hita Garcia et al. (2025), Figure 3. Maps showing the known distribution ranges of Afrotropical Zasphinctus species.

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: 0.38505° to 0.34°.

 
North
Temperate 		North
Subtropical 		Tropical South
Subtropical 		South
Temperate

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Afrotropical Region: Kenya (type locality).

Distribution based on AntMaps

AntMapLegend.png

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.
pChart

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

Castes

Economo-header (arilab.unit.oist.jp).png  X-ray micro-CT scan 3D model of Zasphinctus obamai (worker) prepared by the Economo lab at OIST.

Holotype. See on Sketchfab. See list of 3D images.

Nomenclature

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

  • obamai. Zasphinctus obamai Hita Garcia, in Hita Garcia, Fischer, et al. 2017b: 51, figs. 3, 4A,D,G,J,M,P, 5A,D,G,J,M,P, 6A,D,G,J,M,P, 7, 8, 13A, 16, Video1 (w.) KENYA.
    • Type-material: holotype worker, 7 paratype workers.
    • Type-locality: holotype Kenya: Western Prov., Kakamega Forest, Buyangu, 0.35222, 34.8647, 1640 m., vii.-viii.2004, FHG00001, secondary forest, leaf litter (F. Hita Garcia); paratypes: 2 workers with same data, 2 workers Kakamega Forest, Isecheno, 0.34, 34.85, 1550 m., 6.xi.2002 (W. Okeka), 2 workers Kakamega Forest, Kisere Forest Fragment, 0.38505, 34.89378, 1650 m., Transect 11, FHG00036, 16.vii.2007 (F. Hita Garcia), 1 worker Kakamega Forest, Bunyala Forest Fragment, 0.37889, 34.69917, 1448 m., ANTC39476, viii.2008 (G. Fischer).
    • Type-depositories: NMKN (holotype); BMNH, LACM, MCZC, NMKN, ZFMK (paratypes).
    • Distribution: Kenya.

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

Description

Descriptive details are found in table 3 and 4, Hita Garcia et al., 2017.

Type Material

Type material. Holotype, pinned worker, Kenya, Western Province, Kakamega Forest, Buyangu, 0.35222, 34.8647, 1640 m, secondary rainforest, leaf litter, collection code FHG00001, VII.-VIII.2004 (F. Hita Garcia) (National Museum of Kenya: CASENT0764125). Paratypes, seven pinned workers: two with same data as holotype (The Natural History Museum: CASENT0764126; Museum of Comparative Zoology: CASENT0764127); one from Kenya, Western Province, Kakamega Forest, Isecheno, equatorial rainforest, sifted litter and soil under Morus mesozygia, 0.34, 34.85, 1550 m, 6.XI.2002 (W. Okeka) (Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History: CASENT0178218; Zoologisches Forschungsinstitut und Museum Alexander König: CASENT0764648); two from Kenya, Western Province, Kakamega Forest, Kisere Forest Fragment, 0.38505, 34.89378, 1650 m, rainforest, ex leaf litter, Transect 11, collection code FHG00036, 16.VII.2007 (F. Hita Garcia) (NMKE: CASENT0764128; NMKE: CASENT0764129); and one from Kenya, Western Province, Kakamega Forest, Bunyala Forest Fragment, 0.37889, 34.69917, 1448 m, Winkler leaf litter extraction, collection code ANTC39476, VIII.2008 (G. Fischer) (ZFMK: CASENT0764647).

Cybertypes, the cybertype dataset consists of all volumetric raw data in DICOM format, 3D PDFs and 3D rotation videos of scans of head, mesosoma, metasoma, and the full body of the physical holotype (NMKE: CASENT0764125) and/or one paratype (MCZC: CASENT0764127) in addition to montage photos illustrating head in full-face view, profile and dorsal views of the body of both specimens. The data is deposited at Dryad and can be freely accessed as virtual representation of both types (Hita Garcia et al. 2017c, http://dx.doi.org/10.5061/dryad.4s3v1). In addition to the cyber type data at Dryad, we also provide a freely accessible 3D surface model of the holotype at Sketchfab (https://sketchfab.com/models/dfe15a58514c4be89cdeff7f9713091c).

Etymology

This species is named in honour of Barack Hussein Obama, the 44th President of the United States of America. We want to acknowledge his important efforts undertaken for the conservation of fragile natural habitats around the globe. Also, the type locality of Z. obamai is geographically close to the hometown of Obama’s paternal family in Western Kenya.

References

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

  • Ross S. R. P. J., F. Hita Garcia, G. Fischer, and M. K. Peters. 2018. Selective logging intensity in an East African rain forest predicts reductions in ant diversity. Biotropica 1-11.
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