Cardiocondyla strigifrons

Seifert (2003) - In two sites in Indonesia, nests were found in shallow soil in open, disturbed areas with bare or weakly vegetated ground (Yamauchi, pers.comm. 2001).

Identification
Seifert (2003) - A member of the Cardiocondyla nuda group. The different head shape, the larger PPW/PPL, and the deviating dorsal mesosomal sculpture provide good arguments to separate C. strigifrons from Cardiocondyla kagutsuchi. Cardiocondyla strigifrons shows considerable variation in mesosoma and head shape of workers as well as in structure of postpetiolar sternite which suggests the possible existence of sister species.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Indonesia, Malaysia, New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore. Palaearctic Region: Japan.

Nomenclature

 *  strigifrons. Cardiocondyla nuda subp. strigifrons Viehmeyer, 1922: 211 (w.) INDONESIA (Java). Seifert, 2003a: 256 (q.). Raised to species: Seifert, 2003a: 255.

Worker
Seifert (2003) - type: CS 555, CL/CW 1.230, SL/CS 0.822, PoOc/CL 0.449, EYE 0.220, dFOV 18, FRS/CS 0.262, SP/CS 0.062, SPBA/CS 0.254, PEW/CS 0.292, PPW/CS 0.480, PEH/CS 0.324, PPH/CS 0.292, PEW/PPW 0.609, sqrtPDG 4.03, PLG/CS 6.39 %, MGr/CS 1.53 %.

Head longer than in Cardiocondyla kagutsuchi. CL/CW 1.222; postocular head sides in type specimen notably converging and more linear, in other specimens less converging and more rounded. Median third of anterior clypeal and of occipital margin frequently slightly concave. Postocular index large, PoOc/CL 0.449. Eyes small, EYE 0.220. Frontal carinae immediately caudal of FRS level slightly converging, FL/FR in the type 1.087. Paramedian and lateral areas of vertex with deeply impressed foveolae of 16 - 19 mm diameter, usually with inner corona or flat tubercle of 7 - 9 mm diameter, interspaces much smaller than foveolar diameter, foveolar margins in close contact with longitudinal rugae and their anastomosae. Frontal laminae, clypeus and median area of vertex longitudinally carinulate-rugulose. Median area of vertex between sagittal levels of frontal carinae with few carinulae, scattered and small foveolae imbedded in interspaces. Anterolateral area of vertex and antennal fossae weakly longitudinally rugose. Sculpture of dorsal promesonotum very different from C. kagutsuchi: with foveolae of 16 - 18 mm diameter; foveolar interspaces in type and other specimens as wide as foveolae and shining, only with fragments of very delicate microreticulum; in other specimens foveolae more densely packed and imbedded in irregular rugulose-reticulate structures. Dorsal area of propodeum clearly microreticulate. Lateral area of mesosoma on whole surface regularly and strongly microreticulate; longitudinal sculpture except for 5 - 6 weak and short carinulae on ventrolateral area of metapleuron entirely absent. Whole surface of petiole and postpetiole shining but finely microreticulate. Cuticular surface of first gaster tergite shining, without microsculpture or with very fine microreticulum. Propodeal spines reduced to blunt dents. Dorsal profile of mesosoma in type and few other specimens curved: promesonotum and propodeum convex, metanotal groove shallow, tips of spines significantly lower than top level of mesosoma. Dorsal profile of mesosoma in most other specimens from mesonotum caudad to spine tip more or less straight, interrupted only by shallow metanotal groove, tips of spines almost as high as top level of mesosoma. Petiole profile similar to that of Cardiocondyla mauritanica. Petiole node in dorsal aspect slightly longer than wide. Postpetiole in dorsal view with clearly angulate sides and slightly concave anterior margin that is a little shorter than posterior margin; wider than in C. kagutsuchi, PPW/PPL 1 .333 ± 0.035 [1.293 - 1.383] (n = 7). Postpetiolar sternite in type specimen with flat anteromedian bulb, in other specimens with a small rectangular anteromedian corner and 2 curved paramedian carinae or bulbs (i.e. there are 3 weakly prominent structures). Whole body dark brown or blackish, appendages and mandibles lighter.

Queen
Seifert (2003) - Head elongated, CL/CW 1.215. Occipital margin more or less straight. Scape moderately long, SL/CS 0.799. Median portion of anterior clypeal margin straight. Frontal carinae in posterior half rather straight and parallel. Vertex with densely packed and deep foveolae of 16 - 18 mm diameter, demarcated by (or arranged between) longitudinal rugulae. Clypeus and frontal laminae longitudinally carinulate-rugulose; rugae on lateral area of clypeus incurving frontad, with two rugae fusing to a single semicircular ruga on anteriormost area of clypeus. Whole dorsal area of pronotum, mesonotum, praescutellum, scutellum, and anterodorsal area of propodeum with densely-arranged and deep foveolae. Lateral area of pronotum, mesopleuron, and lateral area of propodeum strongly microreticulate. Lateral lobes of praescutellum widely separated. Propodeal spines reduced to acutely-angled dents. Petiole node smooth, but finely microreticulate and with few, fine microrugae; in dorsal aspect circular or slightly longer than wide; lateral aspect of petiole as in C. mauritanica. Postpetiole less shining and with few shallow foveolae and microreticulum; in dorsal view with straight or slightly concave anterior margin and markedly angulate sides forming an angle of 115 - 1300; PPW/PPL 1.375 ± 0.042 [1.298 - 1.416] (n = 6). Postpetiolar sternite with 2 curved paramedian carinae or bulbs, a blunt anteromedian corner is occasionally present. Concolorous dark or blackish brown, appendages lighter.

Type Material
Java [type investigated].

1 worker type labelled “Java” and “Cardiocondyla nuda Mayr strigifrons Viehm.”,.