Lophomyrmex kali

Known from a single holotype worker collected in NE India.

Identification
A member of the Lophomyrmex quadrispinosus group.

Lophomyrmex kali is very distinct within the quadrispinosus-group because of its slender appendages (see SI and TI) and other minor peculiar characters. These include the elongate eye whose anterior point is nearer than usual in related taxa to the mandibular insertion, the slightly raised pronotal spines and the bend of the propodeal spines in profile. Its most closely related taxon is Lophomyrmex birmanus. but indices and minor features easily allow the separation of the two species.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India.

Nomenclature

 *  kali. Lophomyrmex kali Rigato, 1994a: 58, figs. 26-28 (w.) INDIA.

Worker
Holotype worker: TL 3.2, HL 0.77, HW 0.70, CI 91 SL 0.70, SI 100, PW 0.47, AL 0.95, SpL 0.23, HTL 0.70, TI 100.

In lateral view the eye is quite elongate: the distance between its anterior point and the mandibular insertion is about equal to the maximum eye length. Pronotal spines in dorsal view with thin divergent apices, and appearing raised above the pronotal dorsum: the borders of the spines are thin and sharp. Pronotal dorsum in frontal view shallowly and evenly concave. Mesonotum in profile with a low but well-defined prominence and without a distinct posterior step. Metanotal groove shallow in profile. Propodeal spines in profile appearing rather long and slightly (above all the left one) upcurved, gradually tapering toward the apex. Petiole and postpetiole robust. Petiolar node quite distinctly obliquely shortly truncate in profile.

Clypeus finely sculptured, sublucid except for its posteriormost median portion which is smooth. Frontal triangle sublucid. Head shining with a distinct faint honeycomb-like reticulation. Genae with some longitudinal rugulae. Frontal lobes with feebly developed, thinner longitudinal rugulae. Pronotum shining throughout with only a faint reticulation like that of the head. Mesonotum in front of the prominence shining; mesonotum behind the prominence and propodeal dorsum finely reticulate and subopaque. Mesopleurae and propodeal sides with a widermeshed reticulation. Propodeal declivity only superficially reticulate and shining. Petiole and postpetiole finely reticulate on the sides; their nodes less distinctly so and sublucid. Gaster shining, very superficially reticulate.

Pilosity as usual in the genus. Pubescence poorly developed on the body.

Colour bright brownish yellow, head slightly darker.

Type Material
Holotype worker, NE India: no further data (Kurl).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Ghosh S. N., and S. Sheela. 2008. On a collection of Formicidae (Hymenoptera: Vespoidea) from Buxa Tiger Reserve, West Bengal, India, with new records of one rare genus and a rare species. Asian Myrmecology 2: 99-102.