Aenictus diclops

This is one of the rarest species of Australian Aenictus, being known from only two collections on northern Cape York Peninsula. Its closest relatives, species formerly placed in the subgenus Typhlatta, are found from India east to the Philippines and south to Papua New Guinea. This species is similar to the PNG species A. huonicus but differs in having more extensive sculpturing on the mesosoma and petiole.

Identification
A member of the currax group. "Eye spots" present on posterolateral corners of head; subpetiolar process generally absent but sometimes present as a slight carina. This is the only known Australian species of the genus with "eye spots" (pale pigmentation on the dorsolateral region of the head capsule).

Key to Australian Aenictus species

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  diclops. Aenictus diclops Shattuck, 2008c: 8, figs. 9-11, 26 (w.) AUSTRALIA. See also: Jaitrong & Yamane, 2011: 15.

Holotype worker from Telegraph Line Crossing, Jardine River, Cape York, Queensland, 15–17 June 1969, G.Monteith (, ANIC32-023689). 29 paratype workers, same data as holotype (,, , ANIC32-015742, ANIC32-015768, ANIC32-015774, ANIC32-029319, ANIC32-032139).

Description
Mandible subtriangular, with a large apical tooth, a smaller subapical tooth and a series of 4-ca.10 ill-defined crenulations; anterior clypeal border convex, extending anterior of anterior surfaces of frontal lobes in full face view; parafrontal ridges absent (although a sharp angle is present immediately posterior of the lateral clypeal margin); subpetiolar process absent or at most a thin carina; head entirely smooth, posterior pronotum smooth, anterior pronotum and entire mesonotum with weak, fine puncations, mesopleuron with longitudinal rugae, propodeum similar to mesonotum but sculpturing less well developed, especially anteriorly; body yellow-red with “Typhlatta” spots (pale yellow patches) on posterolateral corners of head.

Measurements. Worker (n = 9) - CI 83–88; HL 0.85–0.95; HW 0.74–0.83; MTL 0.78–0.97; ML 1.39–1.59; SI 95–103; SL 0.71–0.83.