Lepisiota simplex

Identification
Sharaf et al. (2016) - Lepisiota simplex differs from Lepisiota capensis by the following characters: pilosity less abundant on body surface, represented by a few pairs scattered over propodeal dorsum and gastral tergites; eyes larger, with approximately 16 ommatidia in the longest row (EL 0.36 × HW, OI 36) and smaller head (HL 0.55, HW 0.50) versus smaller eyes, with about 10 ommatidia in the longest row (EL 0.19 × HW, OI 20) and relatively larger head (HL 0.77, HW 0.66) in L. capensis. In addition, L. simplex has a smooth and shining mesosoma, whereas in L. capensis the mesosoma is irregularly sculptured and dull.

In Collingwood and Agosti (1996), they stated L. simplex had “mesosoma with pale, thin hairs, that are restricted to pronotum”. The type material (CASENT0909878) has several pairs of hairs scattered on the mesosoma including the propodeum.

Distribution
Wachkoo et al. (2021) - This is an African species that seems unlikely to be found in India. Forel (1894) first reported this species from Orissa based on of its superficial resemblance to the type material from Somalia. Bingham (1903) and subsequent Indian authors followed this view without any further examination of Indian specimens (see Bharti et al. 2016). Based on our examination, Indian material attributed to Lepisiota simplex belong mostly to Lepisiota annandalei and can be distinguished by few setae restricted to pronotum, whereas former has several pairs of setae scattered on the mesosoma including the propodeum.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Kenya, Lesotho, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Zimbabwe.

Nomenclature

 *  simplex. Acantholepis simplex Forel, 1892a: 43 (diagnosis in key) (w.) SOMALIA.
 * Combination in Lepisiota: Bolton, 1995b: 228.
 * Forel, 1892e: 351 (m.).
 * Subspecies of capensis: Forel, 1907g: 86 (footnote); Arnold, 1920a: 572; Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 937; Emery, 1925b: 24; Weber, 1943c: 330.
 * Status as species: Forel, 1892e: 350 (redescription); Dalla Torre, 1893: 172; Forel, 1894c: 414; Bingham, 1903: 317; Forel, 1910e: 449; Forel, 1913a: 143; Forel, 1916: 438; Santschi, 1914d: 378; Collingwood, 1985: 295; Bolton, 1995b: 228; Sharaf, Monks, et al. 2016: 11.

Taxonomic Notes
A specimen in (MCZC #21405) is labelled as a type but was collected by Taylor rather than Keller. It is likely this is not a true type.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Arnold G. 1920. A monograph of the Formicidae of South Africa. Part IV. Myrmicinae. Annals of the South African Museum. 14: 403-578.
 * Bharti H., B. Guénard, M. Bharti, & E. P. Economo. 2015. An updated checklist of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of India with their specific distributions in Indian states. Zookeys
 * Forel A. 1892. Liste der aus dem Somaliland von Hrn. Prof. Dr. Conr. Keller aus der Expedition des Prinzen Ruspoli im August und September 1891 zurückgebrachten Ameisen. Mitteilungen der Schweizerischen Entomologischen Gesellschaft 8: 349-354.
 * Forel A. 1913. Fourmis de Rhodesia, etc. récoltées par M. G. Arnold, le Dr. H. Brauns et K. Fikendey. Annales de la Société Entomologique de Belgique 57: 108-147.
 * Garcia F.H., Wiesel E. and Fischer G. 2013.The Ants of Kenya (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)Faunal Overview, First Species Checklist, Bibliography, Accounts for All Genera, and Discussion on Taxonomy and Zoogeography. Journal of East African Natural History, 101(2): 127-222
 * IZIKO South Africa Museum Collection
 * Mathew R., and R. N. Tiwari. 2000. Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae. Pp. 251-409 in: Director; Zoological Survey of India (ed.) 2000. Fauna of of Meghalaya. Part 7. [State Fauna Series 4.] Insecta 2000. Calcutta: Zoological Survey of India, 621 pp.
 * Pajni H. R., and R. K. Suri. 1978. First report on the Formicid fauna (Hymenoptera) of Chandigarh. Res. Bull. (Science) Punjab University 29: 5-12.
 * Sharaf M. R., M. S. Abdel-Dayem, H. M. Al Dhafer, and A. S. Aldawood. 2013. The ants (Hymenoptera:formicidae) of Rawdhat Khorim Nature Preserve, Saudi Arabia, with description of a new species of the genus Tetramorium Mayr. Zootaxa 3709(6): 565-580.
 * Tiwari R.N., B.G. Kundu, S. Roychowdhury, S.N. Ghosh. 1999. Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae. Pp. 211-294 in: Director; Zoological Survey of India (ed.) 1999. Fauna of West Bengal. Part 8. Insecta (Trichoptera, Thysanoptera, Neuroptera, Hymenoptera and Anoplura). Calcutta: Zoological Survey of India, iv + 442 pp.
 * Weber N. A. 1942. A biocoenose of papyrus heads (Cyperus papyrus). Ecology 23: 115-119.
 * Weber N. A. 1943. The ants of the Imatong Mountains, Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 93: 263-389.
 * Wheeler W. M. 1922. Ants of the American Museum Congo expedition. A contribution to the myrmecology of Africa. VIII. A synonymic list of the ants of the Ethiopian region. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 45: 711-1004