Cardiocondyla subspina

The single known collection of this species, from Indonesia, was from a fogging sample and suggests it likely forages arboreally.

Identification
Worker (Figure 24, Table 4): Small-sized, CS 434 µm. Head long, CL/CW 1.182. Postocular head sides only weakly converging; in adjustment to measure CL, hind margin of head very feebly concave and anterior clypeal margin slightly concave, postocular distance very large, PoOc 0.465. Scape short, SL/CS 0.812. Eye rather small, EYE 0.223. Frontal carinae widely distant (FRS/CS 0.290), immediately posterior of the FRS level almost parallel. Planes of frontal laminae sloping mediad by 40°, frontal carinae thus much elevating above the level of posterior clypeus. Mesosoma in dorsal view with very pronounced anterolateral pronotal corners forming a sharp angle of 75°, their outer distance a little shorter than width of posterior head, dorsal mesosoma continuously and almost linearly narrowing from the wide pronotal corners caudad to spine base. Metanotal depression with wide slopes but rather shallow (MGr/CS 1.62%). Spines rather short (SP/CS 0.268), with rather wide basal distance (SPBA/CS 0.310) and straight; their axis in lateral view deviating by only 8° from the longitudinal mesosomal axis. Petiole in lateral view high (PeH/CS 0.344) and with a short peduncle, a concave anterior and convex dorsocaudal profile; in dorsal view 2.3fold longer than wide, rather narrow (PeW/CS 0.245) and with rather straight sides. Petiole node much longer than wide and in caudodorsal view with a wedge-shaped dorsum. Postpetiole comparatively narrow (PpW/CS 0.457), in dorsal view with a strongly concave anterior margin and convex sides; postpetiole high (PpH/CS 0.307), its sternite rather flat but with a sharp anterior edge which appears in profile as a distinct anteromedian dent (Figure 24D). Frontal laminae and clypeus corrugated-foveolate but with small shiny surface areas. Paramedian and lateral vertex with flat-bottomed but well-demarcated foveolae of 15–17 µm diameter, which show a flat inner tubercle of 6–8 µm diameter. Foveolar interspaces at least as wide as foveolar diameter and finely corrugated. Whole mesosomal and petiolar surface reticulate, reticulation on postpetiole shallower. 1st gaster tergite in overall impression shiny but with a well-developed microreticulum and with rather short and dilute pubescence (PLG/CS 4.21%, sqPDG 6.54). Whole ant yellow except the blackish brown gaster.

Cardiocondyla subspina can be grouped together with Cardiocondyla paradoxa and Cardiocondyla thoracica based on similarities in shape of mesosoma and frontal laminae.

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

Nomenclature

 * . Cardiocondyla subspina Seifert, 2022: 55, fig. 24 (w.) INDONESIA.

Type Material
Holotype worker labelled “INDONESIA: N.C.SERAM\Manusela N.P. Wae Mual Plain 25.vii-9.ix.1987\Op.Raleigh M.J.D.Brendell B.M.1987-262\fog. Card. B”, BMNH London; 1 paratype worker with identic labelling, SMN Görlitz.