Cataulacus wissmannii

Identification
Cataulacus wissmanni may be confused with Cataulacus ebrardi, which is certainly closely related. Besides distribution, one of the best separating characters lies in the relative lengths of the alitrunk hairs. In ebrardi they are short and inconspicuous whilst in wissmannii they are very distinct. Also, in the former species the longitudinal rugation occupies only the anterior and posterior quarters of the length of the first gastral tergite, the intervening space being reticulate-punctate; whilst in wissmannii the puncturation on the tergite is usually limited to a patch in the middle of the disc. (Bolton 1974)

Distribution
This taxon was described from Mozambique. It is also found in Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa.

Nomenclature

 *  wissmannii. Cataulacus wissmannii Forel, 1894b: 78 (w.) MOZAMBIQUE. Santschi, 1937a: 61 (q.). Senior synonym of durbanensis, linearis, otii: Bolton, 1974a: 51.
 * otii. Cataulacus wissmanni r. otii Forel, 1901d: 304 (w.q.) SOUTH AFRICA. Raised to species: Santschi, 1914e: 26; Arnold, 1917: 401. Junior synonym of wissmannii: Bolton, 1974a: 51.
 * durbanensis. Cataulacus micans r. durbanensis Forel, 1914d: 219 (w.) SOUTH AFRICA. Arnold, 1917: 395 (q.m.). Junior synonym of wissmannii: Bolton, 1974a: 51.
 * linearis. Cataulacus wissmanni st. linearis Santschi, 1914b: 109, fig. 17 (w.) KENYA. Junior synonym of wissmannii: Bolton, 1974a: 51.

Worker
Bolton (1974) - TL 3.8 – 5.2, HL 0.96 – 1.20, HW 0.96 – 1.20, CI 98 - 104, EL 0.44 – 0.50, OI 41 - 45, IOD 0.74 – 0.90, SL 0.48 – 0.60, SI 50 - 53, PW 0.78 – 1.02, AL 1.06 – 1.50, MTL 0.56 – 0.66 (10 measured).

Occipital crest absent, the two surfaces meeting in an obtuse angle. Occipital corners dentate, with a second short tooth internal to them upon the occipital margin. Sides of head behind eyes strongly convex and denticulate. Sides of pronotum marginate and denticulate, similarly the margins of both the mesonotum and propodeum with denticles. Propodeum bispinose. Mesokatepisternal tooth variously developed; in most individuals large and conspicuous but variable in size even in series from a single nest. Subpetiolar process simple, often without a differentiated posteroventral angle. Subpostpetiolar process weakly developed or virtually absent. First gastral tergite not marginate laterally.

Dorsum of head reticulate-rugose, the rugae usually emphasised in a longitudinal direction, with the interspaces weakly reticulate-punctate. Dorsal alitrunk usually similarly but more finely sculptured except for the propodeum where the longitudinal rugae are more strongly developed. Middle of disc of mesonotum often with the reticulation diminished and the reticulate-punctate sculpturation clearly visible. Petiole and postpetiole longitudinally rugose. First gastral tergite very strongly and often coarsely longitudinally rugose, occasionally throughout its length but more usually with the rugae broken in the middle of the disc and replaced by a fine reticulate-puncturation. All dorsal surfaces with numerous, very conspicuous, relatively long, simple hairs.

Queen
Bolton (1974) - TL 5.4 – 6.0, HL 1.14 – 1.22, HW 1.10 – 1.22, CI 97 – l00, EL 0.48 – 0.50, OI 41 -43, IOD 0.84 - 0.90, SL 0.54 – 0.62, SI 49 - 51, PW 1.02 – 1.10, AL 1.50 – 1.76, MTL 0.62 – 0.72 (2 measured).

As worker but with the denticulation of the sides of the head behind the eyes and the margins of the alitrunk reduced, on the latter to very small, triangular prominences. Propodeal spines short, blunt.

Type Material
Bolton (1974):

Holotype worker, MOZAMBIQUE: 9.xi.1890 (A. Muller) (MHN, Geneva) [examined].

Cataulacus wissmanni race otii Syntype workers, female, SOUTH AFRICA: Natal, Durban (Haviland) (MHN, Geneva) [examined].

Cataulacus wissmanni st. linearis Syntype workers, KENYA: Voi, in the Wa-Taita (st. no. 60), 600 m, and Mbuyuni, in Pori (st. no. 63), iii. 1912 (Alluaud & Jeannel) (NM, Basle) [examined].

Cataulacus micans race durbanensis Holotype worker, SOUTH AFRICA: Natal, Durban, 15.i.19I4 (G. Arnold) (MHN, Geneva) [examined].

Additional References

 * [[Media:Forel 1894b.pdf|Forel, A. 1894b. Abessinische und andere afrikanische Ameisen, gesammelt von Herrn Ingenieur Alfred Ilg, von Herrn Dr. Liengme, von Herrn Pfarrer Missionar P. Berthoud, Herrn Dr. Arth. Müller etc. Mitt. Schweiz. Entomol. Ges. 9: 64-100 PDF]]