Technomyrmex indicus

The type collection was made from the internode of the myrmecophyte Humboldtia brunonis.

Identification
Bolton (2007) - A member of the T. pallipes complex in the Technomyrmex albipes group. Technomyrmex indicus is similar in structure and distribution of cephalic setae to the New Guinea species Technomyrmex prevaricus (known only from a single specimen). The two separate easily as they have the gastral setae of different lengths and different colour patterns, as noted in the key.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India.

Nomenclature

 *  indicus. Technomyrmex indicus Bolton, 2007a: 87, fig. 48 (w. w-q intercaste) INDIA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.8, HL 0.62, HW 0.60, SL 0.62, PW 0.39, WL 0.81. Indices: CI 97, SI 103, OI 28, EPI 73, DTI 138.

Frontal carina with 3 setae: In profile the anterior of these is at the torulus and the posterior is at about the level of the anterior margin of the eye. Dorsum of head from this seta with 6 - 7 more pairs of shorter setae to the posterior margin; posterior margin itself with 6 - 8 setae that form a transverse row across its width. All dorsal setae are shorter than the maximum diameter of the eye. Anterior c1ypeal margin very shallowly concave medially. Posterior margin of head in full-face view with a shallow median indentation. Sides of head convex and the outer margins of the eyes just fail to touch the outline of the sides in full-face view. With mesosoma in profile the mesonotal outline forms a smooth even shallow curve, without a distinct step or angle in the outline that defines conspicuous dorsal and declivitous faces. Propodeal dorsum in profile forms a bluntly rounded narrow curve into the declivity; straight-line length of dorsum is less than the depth of the declivity to the spiracle. Number of setal pairs on mesosoma: pronotum 4; mesonotum 3; propodeal dorsum with 1 - 2, minute; lateral margins of propodeal declivity 2, longer than those on propodeal dorsum. Gastral tergites 1 – 4 each with numerous setae all over the sclerites, the longest on the first gastral tergite are shorter than the maximum diameter of the eye. Head and gaster dark brown, mesosoma lighter brown, petiole yellow. Middle and hind coxae and trochanters yellow; basal one-third of femora yellow, apical two-thirds brown; tibiae and tarsi yellow.

Paratype. TL 2.8, HL 0.64, HW 0.62, SL 0.64, PW 0.40, WL 0.82. Indices: CI 97, SI 103, OI 26, EPI 78, OTI 140. As holotype.

Intercaste
Paratype. TL 3.1, HL 0.63, HW 0.61, SL 0.60, PW 0.·10, WL 0.90. Indices: CI 97, SI 98, OI 28, EPI 70, OTI 138. An extreme worker-like intercaste. Very similar to holotype but with the mesoscutellum very slightly developed, the propodeum in profile with its dorsum rounding more broadly into the declivity and the scapes shorter.

Type Material
Holotype worker (top specimen of 3 on pin), India: Karnataka, Makut Forest Reserve, 13 - 18 km. S. Virajpet, l2°12'N, 75°46'E, 28.iii.1997, in internode of Humboldtia brunonis (K V. Krombein). Paratypes. 1 worker (middle specimen) and 1 intercaste (bottom specimen) with same data (BMNH).