Loboponera basalis

Specimens have been collected from rainforest litter.

Identification
Bolton & Brown (2002) - A member of the vigilans species group. The unique structure of the base of the first gastral tergite immediately isolates this very conspicuous species.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Cameroun, Ghana, Ivory Coast.

Nomenclature

 *  basalis. Loboponera basalis Bolton & Brown, 2002: 6, figs. 1, 9, 10 (w.q.) IVORY COAST.

Worker
Holotype. TL 6.6, HL 1.20, HW 1.06, CI 88, SL 1.02, SI 96, AL 1.87. Characters of vigilans group and the following. Maximum diameter of eye 0.07. First gastral sternite with a mid-ventral longitudinal translucent carina that extends the length of the segment. First gastral tergite in profile with its anteroventral angle extended forward as a broadly triangular tooth, just above the helcium. In ventral view the extended anteroventral angles of the first tergite are seen to be drawn out as incurved triangular broad teeth or short stout horns on each side of the helcium. In dorsal view the anterior face of the first gastral tergite forms a broad concave arc that is extended forward and inward on each side by the broadly triangular curved angles. Propodeal declivity above the basal tooth with a narrow uneven lamella that terminates dorsally in a small tooth or tubercle. Sculpture everywhere on the glossy dorsum longitudinally costate-rugulose between broad foveolate punctures that are mostly sharply defined. On the second gastral tergite the longitudinal costate-rugose sculpture predominates.

Paratypes. TL 5.9–6.6, HL 1.11–1.16, HW 1.05–1.11, CI 95–96, SL 1.00–1.08, SI 94–97, AL 1.82–2.02 (3 measured).

Type Material
Holotype worker, Ivory Coast: Lamto, Toumodi, 5.iii.1968, rotten wood (J. Lévieux).

Paratypes. 2 workers with same data as holotype; 1 worker, Ivory Coast: Nzi Noua, on Ndouci-Toumodi Highway, about 21 km. N. of Ndouci, in rotten wood (J. Lévieux); 1 worker, Ghana: Tafo, rotten wood (D. Leston); 2 workers, Tafo, 25.v.1970, on ground at base of tree (B. Bolton) (MCZ,, ).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bolton B., and W. L. Brown Jr. 2002. Loboponera gen. n. and a review of the Afrotropical Plectroctena genus group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Bulletin of the Natural History Museum. Entomology Series 71: 1-18.
 * Kone M., S. Konate, K. Yeo, P. K. Kouassi, K. E. Linsemair. 2010. Diversity and abundance of terrrestrial ants along a gradient of land use intensification in a transitional forest-savannah zone of Cote d'Ivoire. Journal of Applied Biosciences 29: 1809-1827.
 * Kone M., S. Konate, K. Yeo, P. K. Kouassi, and K. E. Linsenmair. 2012. Changes in ant communities along an age gradient of cocoa cultivation in the Oumé region, central Côte dIvoire. Entomological Science 15: 324339.
 * Yeo K., S. Konate, S. Tiho, and S. K. Camara. 2011. Impacts of land use types on ant communities in a tropical forest margin (Oumé - Cote d'Ivoire). African Journal of Agricultural Research 6(2): 260-274.