Recurvidris pickburni

Identification
Bolton (1992)- R. pickburni is characterised by its 4-dentate mandibles, on which the basal tooth is stout and acute. Some of the specimens, including the holotype, show a minute deviation in the posterior outline of the basal tooth. This may indicate that the single point of the tooth has evolved secondarily from an originally bidenticulate condition. If so the present apex of the tooth would represent the original anterior denticle and the deviation in posterior outline the last vestige of the original posterior denticle. The closest relatives of pickburni are hebe and recurvispinosa, but both of these have the basal tooth truncated to bidenticulate (compare Figs. 4, 5).

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

Nomenclature

 * . Recurvidris pickburni Bolton, 1992: 45, fig. 5 (w.) SRI LANKA.
 * Type-material: holotype worker, 4 paratype workers.
 * Type-locality: holotype Sri Lanka: Kandy, 600-700 m., 10-13.vii.1955, no. 1240 (E.O. Wilson); paratypes with same data but 2 workers no. 1243, 2 workers no.1266.
 * Type-depositories MCZC (holotype); BMNH, MCZC (paratypes):.
 * Status as species: Bolton, 1995b: 377; Bharti, Guénard, et al. 2016: 44; Jaitrong, Tokeeree, et al. 2019: 59 (in key); Dias, R.K.S. et al. 2020: 89.
 * Distribution: Sri Lanka.

Description
Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from Bolton (1992)

Worker

Apical margin of mandible with 4 teeth, the basal tooth enlarged but acutely pointed, not abruptly truncated or bidenticulate api cally: basal margin of mandible unarmed. Occipital corners broadly and evenly rounded, so much so that the two sides and the occipital border of the head almost form a single even are in full face view. Head with superficial reticulation, fading out mid dorsally. Disc of pronotum smooth and shining, the propodeal dorsum with only faint superficial sculpture. Propodeal spines nar row, the subpetiolar process an elongate triangular tooth. Standing hairs absent from propodeum, where a pair of short decumbent hairs occur, above the site of the spiracle. Colour yellow.

Holotype worker. TL 2.1, HL 0.48. HW 0.44, CI 92, SL 0.38, SI 86, PW 0.26, AL 0.58.

Paratype workers. TL 1.9-2.1, HL 0.48-0.50, HW 0.44-0.46, CI 90-92, SL 0.38-0.40, SI 85-89, PW 0.25-0.26, AL 0.57-0.60 (4 measured). As holotype.

Etymology

This species is named in honour of a friend, Bernerd Pickburn, recently deceased.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bolton B. 1992. A review of the ant genus Recurvidris (Hym: Formicidae), a new name for Trigonogaster Forel. Psyche 99: 35-48.
 * 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.
 * Dias R. K. S., K. R. K. A. Kosgamage, and H. A. W. S. Peiris. 2012. The Taxonomy and Conservation Status of Ants (Order: Hymenoptera, Family: Formicidae) in Sri Lanka. In: The National Red List 2012 of Sri Lanka; Conservation Status of the Fauna and Flora. Weerakoon, D.K. & S. Wijesundara Eds., Ministry of Environment, Colombo, Sri Lanka. p11-19.
 * Gunawardene N. R., J. D. Majer, and J. P. Edirisinghe. 2012. Correlates of ant 5Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and tree species diversity in Sri Lanka. Myrmecological News 17: 81-90.