Aenictus prolixus

This common species is found in northern Northern Territory and northern Queensland. It is most similar to A. acerbus and A. turneri and it is probable that at least some of the males currently associated with A. hilli may actually belong to this species.

Identification
Head capsule entirely smooth and essentially uniformly coloured; scape relatively long (scape index > 89); subpetiolar process large and rectangular. This species is most similar to A. acerbus and A. turneri but can be separated from these by the longer scapes.



A member of the pachycerus group.


 * Key to Australian Aenictus Species
 * Key to Aenictus species groups

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  prolixus. Aenictus prolixus Shattuck, 2008c: 14, figs. 7, 8, 18-20, 29 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Holotype worker from Baroalba Gorge, 12°50’S 132°52’E, 18 Nov. 1972, R.W.Taylor & J.E.Feehan, Acc. N. 72.1076, rainforest, under stone (, ANIC32-002810). 18 paratype workers, same data as holotype (,, , ANIC32-015781).

Description
Mandible triangular, with a large apical tooth and a smaller subapical tooth followed by 6–7 (rarely 5) small teeth and a larger basal tooth; anterior clypeal border weakly convex to weakly concave, located at or anterior to anterior margins of frontal lobes in full face view; parafrontal ridges absent; subpetiolar process a large rectangular project, an elongate flange sometimes present on the posterior corner; head entirely smooth, pronotum weakly reticulate on collar, smooth posteriorly and laterally, mesonotum smooth, mesopleuron and propodeum finely punctate with longitudinal rugae laterally; body yellow-red, mesosoma slightly darker.

Measurements. Worker (n = 13) - CI 81–90; HL 0.55–0.62; HW 0.46–0.54; MTL 0.43–0.57; ML 0.84–0.98; SI 89–96; SL 0.42–0.51.