Cardiocondyla sekhemka

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
This small, virtually unsculptured darkly coloured species is easily recognised by its relatively short scapes, broad head, characteristically shaped eyes, lack of developed propodeal spines and feebly impressed metanotal groove followed by a depressed propodeum. In the Afrotropical region only Cardiocondyla wroughtonii approaches the CI value of sekhemka, but in that species the propodeal spines are long and strongly developed. Only Cardiocondyla shuckardi has the propodeal armament as feebly developed as in sekhemka but here the head and body are usually strongly sculptured, the eye is not drawn out anteroventrally, and the dimensions are very different. (Bolton 1982)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Ghana.

Castes
Only known from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 * . Cardiocondyla sekhemka Bolton, 1982: 315 (w.) GHANA.
 * Status as species: Bolton, 1995b: 133; Rigato, 2002: 172 (in key).

Worker
Holotype. TL 1.8, HL 0.44, HW 0.38, CI 86, SL 0.28, SI 74, PW 0.12, AL 0.32.

Head relatively short and broad, scapes relatively short (CI and SI, above). When laid back on the head the scapes failing to reach the occipital corners in full-face view. Projecting median portion of clypeus and flattened prominent lateral parts of clypeus closely fused and forming a more or less evenly semicircular projecting lobe which hides most of the mandibles in full-face view (only the two apicalmost teeth of the right mandible can be seen in the holotype). Eyes relatively large, maximum diameter 0.12, about 0.32 x HW and with 10-11 ommatidia in the longest row. Shape of eye irregular in profile, narrowed and drawn out anteroventrally, rounding the lower curve of the sides and onto the margins of the ventral surface of the head. Pronotal corners rounded in dorsal view. With alitrunk in profile the promesonotum evenly convex from front to back, sloping posteriorly to the feebly impressed metanotal groove. Propodeal dorsum more shallowly convex than promesonotum and on a much lower level so that there is a distinct step-down from the promesonotum to the propodeum. Posteriorly the propodeal dorsum sloping down to a pair of broad blunt and very low tubercles which are much shorter than the metapleural lobes and which are shorter than their basal widths. In dorsal view the tubercles distinctly shorter than half the distance separating their bases. Petiole in profile with a short peduncle and rounded node. In dorsal view the petiole node subglobular, slightly broader than long. Postpetiole in dorsal view much broader than long, with a shallowly concave anterior margin and evenly convex sides. Dorsum of head sculptured with widely scattered superficial minute punctulae, the surface between the punctulae smooth and shining. Remainder of body unsculptured, smooth and shining. Hairs absent except on mouthparts and gastral apex. Colour uniform glossy blackish brown, the legs and antennae lighter.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Ghana: Tumu, 24.xii.1969 (P. Room).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bolton B. 1982. Afrotropical species of the myrmicine ant genera Cardiocondyla, Leptothorax, Melissotarsus, Messor and Cataulacus (Formicidae). Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History). Entomology 45: 307-370.
 * Rigato F. 2002. Three new Afrotropical Cardiocondyla Emery, with a revised key to the workers (Hymenoptera Formicidae). Bollettino della Società Entomologica Italiana 134: 167-173.