Ocymyrmex turneri

Marsh (1986b) says that turneri is a diurnally foraging scavenger, primarily seeking out dead insects. Its nests are inconspicuous and have a single entrance hole. O. turneri is widespread on the Namib gravel plains and occurs across the entire width of the desert (Marsh, 1986a).

Identification
A member of the velox group. O. turneri is one of the smallest species known in the genus and is easily distinguished from all others by having an unconstricted base to the gaster, large eyes which break the outline of the sides of the head, reduced sculpture, relatively long antennal scapes and a clypeal margin which projects medially into a low triangular prominence. (Bolton 1981)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Namibia, South Africa.

Nomenclature

 *  turneri. Ocymyrmex turneri Donisthorpe, 1931b: 499 (w.) NAMIBIA. Bolton & Marsh, 1989: 1278 (q.). See also: Bolton, 1981b: 279; Bolton & Marsh, 1989: 1305.

Worker
Bolton and Marsh (1989) - TL 5.5-5.8, HL 1.38-1•40, HW 1.24-1.28, CI 89-91, SL 1.37-1.40, SI 109-111, PW 0.75-0.80, AL 1.70-1.80. Maximum diameter of eye is 0.26-0.28 x HW (10 measured).

In the new series the sides of the pronotum are somewhat more extensively sculptured than in the holotype, and their dense dorsal pilosity indicates that earlier conjecture regarding abrasion of the holotype was correct. Similarly, the dorsal alitrunk of the new series is feebly sculptured, this area being mostly smooth in the holotype. Hamish Robertson (University of the Witwatersrand) collected a single specimen at the same locality. This matches the preceding but has the median clypeal prominence somewhat flattened and inconspicuous, truncated rather than bluntly triangular at its apex.

Bolton (1981) - TL 5.8, HL 1.40, HW 1.28, CI 91, SL 1.40, SI 109, PW 0.80, AL 1.76. Small species. Anterior clypeal margin without a median impression, on the contrary the middle of the anterior clypeal margin projecting forward as a low, broad triangular prominence. Eyes relatively large, maximum diameter 0.36, about 0.28 x HW. In full-face view the eyes very conspicuously breaking the outline of the sides of the head. Antennal scapes relatively long, SI > 100. Promesonotum in profile rounded, with a low transversely arched crest running across the dorsum at the junction of pronotum and mesonotum, arching forward from the mesothoracic spiracle on each side. Posterior part of mesonotum and anterior part of propodeum concave in profile, the posterior portion of the propodeum convex and curving evenly into the declivity behind. Petiole node in profile high, subconical, with a narrowly rounded dorsum, the posterior face convex, the anterior face longer, almost flat and less steeply sloped than the posterior face. Petiole node in dorsal view longer than broad, the postpetiole broader than long. First gastral tergite without a constricted basal neck. Dorsum of head glossy, sculptured with very feeble superficial rugulae which are transversely arched and are almost effaced occipitally. Ground-sculpture between the faint rugulae absent. Dorsal alitrunk unsculptured, smooth and highly polished except for vestiges of faint transverse rugulae on the extreme anterior portion of the pronotum and the propodeal declivity. On the sides of the alitrunk the pleurae with strong, widely spaced and roughly parallel rugae, otherwise unsculptured except for vestiges on the sides of the pronotum near the base. Petiole and postpetiole only with faint superficial patterning which is almost effaced in places. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with scattered hairs of varying length but the holotype (and only known specimen) appears to be considerably abraded and in life this species may well be as hairy as other species in the genus. Alitrunk jet black and shiny, head and gaster blackish brown.

Type Material
Bolton (1981) - Holotype worker, South West Africa: Walvis Bay, l.xii.1927 (R. E. Turner) [examined].

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bolton B., and A. C. Marsh. 1989. The Afrotropical thermophilic ant genus Ocymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Journal of Natural History 23: 1267-1308.
 * IZIKO South Africa Museum Collection
 * Marsh A. C. 1986. Ant species richness along a climatic gradient in the Namib Desert. Journal of Arid Environments 11: 235-241.
 * Marsh A. C. 1986. Checklist, biological notes and distribution of ants in the central Namib Desert. Madoqua 14: 333-344.