Dilobocondyla didita

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: Sri Lanka.

Nomenclature

 * . Atta didita Walker, 1859: 375 (s.w.) SRI LANKA.
 * Type-material: 2 syntype workers.
 * [Note: the two specimens that Walker describes as major and minor workers belong in different genera. The ‘minor worker’ is a Pheidole species (a specimen of P. sharpi according to Donisthorpe, 1932b: 576); the ‘major worker’ belongs in Dilobocondyla. This taxonomic conundrum may be best resolved by regarding the ‘major worker’ as the lectotype, and excluding the ‘minor worker’ from further consideration.]
 * Type-locality: Sri Lanka (“Ceylon”): (no further data) (F. Walker).
 * Type-depository: BMNH.
 * Combination in Aphaenogaster: Emery, in Dalla Torre, 1893: 102;
 * combination in Stenamma: Forel, 1903a: 694 (footnote);
 * unidentifiable taxon; incertae sedis in Myrmicinae: Emery, 1915d: 69;
 * combination (major worker only) in Dilobocondyla: Donisthorpe: 1932b: 576.
 * Unidentifiable taxon: Forel, 1903a: 694.
 * Status as species: Mayr, 1863: 396; Motschoulsky, 1863: 20; Smith, F. 1871a: 333; Dalla Torre, 1893: 102; Donisthorpe: 1932b: 576; Chapman & Capco, 1951: 82; Bolton, 1995b: 171; Varghese, 2006a: 24; Bharti & Kumar, 2013a: 42 (in key); Chen, et al. 2019: 138 (in key); Dias, R.K.S. et al. 2020: 74.
 * Senior synonym of escherichi: Donisthorpe: 1932b: 576; Bolton, 1995b: 171; Varghese, 2006a: 24.
 * Distribution: Sri Lanka.
 * escherichi. Atopomyrmex escherichi Forel, 1911i: 223 (w.) SRI LANKA.
 * Type-material: holotype worker.
 * Type-locality: Sri Lanka (Ceylon”): Exper. Station (Djungel) (K. Escherich).
 * Type-depository: MHNG.
 * Combination in Dilobocondyla: Forel, 1913k: 64. Wheeler, W.M. 1924b: 249 (in key).
 * Status as species: Emery, 1924d: 241; Chapman & Capco, 1951: 116.
 * Junior synonym of didita: Donisthorpe, 1932b: 576; Bolton, 1995b: 171; Varghese, 2006a: 25.

Taxonomic Notes
The two specimens that Walker describes as major and minor workers belong in different genera. The ‘minor worker’ is a Pheidole species (a specimen of Pheidole sharpi according to Donisthorpe, 1932b: 576); the ‘major worker’ belongs in Dilobocondyla. This taxonomic conundrum may be best resolved by regarding the ‘major worker’ as the lectotype, and excluding the ‘minor worker’ from further consideration.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bharti H., and R. Kumar. 2013. Five new species of Dilobocondyla (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) with a revised key to the known species. Asian Myrmecology 5: 29-44.
 * Chapman, J. W., and Capco, S. R. 1951. Check list of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Asia. Monogr. Inst. Sci. Technol. Manila 1: 1-327
 * Dias R. K. S. 2002. Current knowledge on ants of Sri Lanka. ANeT Newsletter 4: 17- 21.
 * Dias R. K. S. 2006. Current taxonomic status of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Sri Lanka. The Fauna of Sri Lanka: 43-52. Bambaradeniya, C.N.B. (Editor), 2006. Fauna of Sri Lanka: Status of Taxonomy, Research and Conservation. The World Conservation Union, Colombo, Sri Lanka & Government of Sri Lanka. viii + 308pp.
 * Forel A. 1911. Ameisen aus Ceylon, gesammelt von Prof. K. Escherich (einige von Prof. E. Bugnion). Pp. 215-228 in: Escherich, K. Termitenleben auf Ceylon. Jena: Gustav Fischer, xxxii + 262 pp.