Plectroctena mandibularis

This species is a specialized predator of millipedes.

Distribution
This taxon was described from South Africa. It is also found in Mozambique, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, Rwanda, Zambia, Namibia, South Africa and Botswana.

Nomenclature

 *  mandibularis. Plectroctena mandibularis Smith, F. 1858b: 101, pl. 7, figs. 1-5 (m., ergatoid q., not w.) SOUTH AFRICA. Forel, 1913a: 108 (w.); Arnold, 1915: 86 (w.). Material of the nomen nudum caffra referred here: Roger, 1861a: 41. Senior synonym of major: Emery, 1899e: 469; Bolton, 1974c: 330; of integra and material of the unavailable name strialiventris referred here: Bolton, 1974c: 330; of conjugata: Villet, McKitterick & Robertson, 1999: 282..
 * major. Plectroctena caffra r. major Forel, 1894b: 74 (ergatoid q., not w.) MOZAMBIQUE. Arnold, 1915: 86 (w.). Subspecies of mandibularis: Emery, 1911d: 95; Santschi, 1914b: 54. Junior synonym of mandibularis: Emery, 1899e: 469; Bolton, 1974c: 330.
 * conjugata. Plectroctena minor st. conjugata Santschi, 1914e: 8 (w.q.) SOUTH AFRICA. Santschi, 1924a: 166 (m.); Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1989b: 52 (l.). Raised to species: Santschi, 1924a: 166. Junior synonym of mandibularis: Arnold, 1926: 209. Revived from synonymy: Bolton, 1974c: 326. Junior synonym of mandibularis: Villet, McKitterick & Robertson, 1999: 282.
 * integra. Plectroctena mandibularis var. integra Santschi, 1924a: 161 (w.m.) KENYA. Junior synonym of mandibularis: Bolton, 1974c: 330.

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]]