Technomyrmex rotundiceps

A sample from Borneo was collected from the leaf litter of a swamp forest.

Identification
Bolton (2007) - T. reductus is immediately identified within the zoogeographical regions under consideration here by its reduced PF of 4,3. This pair formula is shared only with the otherwise unrelated Technomyrmex lujae of the Afrotropical region. Also diagnostic are the minute setae that are restricted to the gastral tergites and the absence of setae elsewhere on the dorsal mesosoma and head behind the clypeus.

Distribution
Java, Sabah (Borneo).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Borneo, Indonesia, Malaysia.

Nomenclature

 *  rotundiceps. Technomyrmex albipes subsp. rotundiceps Karavaiev, 1926d: 443 (w.) INDONESIA (Java). Raised to species: Bolton, 2007a: 99.

Worker
Bolton (2007) - Holotype. TL 3.7, HL 0.77, HW 0.70, SL 0.68, PW 0.48, WL 1.01. Indices: CI 91, SI 97, 01 27, EPI 97, DTI 125.

Palp formula 4,3. Dorsum of head behind clypeus entirely lacks setae; dorsum covered with fine, dense minute pubescence that is slightly elevated, not appressed. With head in full-face view the anterior clypeal margin with a small, narrow median indentation; the posterior margin of the head shallowly concave. Eyes close to or at the midlength, their outer margins just fail to break the outline of the sides. Scape without setae but with dense minute pubescence that is somewhat elevated. Dorsum of mesosoma and propodeal declivity entirely lack setae. In profile dorsum of mesonotum slopes very shallowly and meets the propodeal dorsum in a very broadly obtuse angle. Metanotal groove present but not impressed, instead merely forming the angle between mesonotum and propodeum. Propodeum in profile with the dorsum extremely shallowly convex; straight-line length of dorsum much greater than the depth of the declivity to the spiracle, which itself is located high on the declivity. Gastral tergites 1 - 4 with sparse and extremely short, inconspicuous setae; those on the first tergite more or less restricted to close to the apex of the sclerite. Maximum length of setae on &astral tergites 1 - 2 only 0.30 x the maximum diameter of the eye, or even less. Tibiae of middle and hind legs without setae though some short, slightly elevated pubescence may be present. Head, mesosoma, petiole and gaster a more or less uniform rich dark brown; legs the same colour or slightly lighter.

Other worker. TL 3.5 - 3.7, HL 0.75 - 0.80, HW 0.67 - 0.72, SL 0.67 - 0.71, PW 0.47 - 0.52, WL 0.98 - 1.03 (12 measured). Indices: CI 88 - 91, SI 97 - 104, OI 27 - 30, EPI 93 - 100, DTI 120 - 130. As holotype.

Type Material
Bolton (2007) - Holotype worker (upper of 2 specimens on pin), Malaysia: Sarawak, 4" Division, Gn. Mulu N.P., v.1978, limestone forest (M. Collins) . Paratype. 1 worker (lower of 2 on pin), with same data (BMNH).