Gaoligongidris

A monotypic genus, Gaoligongidris planodorsa nests in the soil.

Identification
Xu (2012) - At first glance, the new genus is somewhat similar to Lophomyrmex Emery of the tribe Pheidolini by the following characters: 11-segmented antennae, long propodeal spines, large propodeal spiracles, and long petiolar peduncle. However, the genus obviously belongs to the tribe Stenammini by the following characters: median portion of clypeus longitudinally bicarinate, anterior clypeal margin nearly straight in the middle portion; masticatory margins of mandibles with only 6 teeth; antennae short, apices of the scapes failed to reach occipital corners, the third segment of antennal club counting from apex distinctly reduced in volume and much shorter than the second one; pronotum without teeth, prominences, or lateral margins; head and alitrunk strongly sculptured.

The new genus is close to the Indo-Australian genus Lasiomyrma Terayama & Yamane in the tribe Stenammini, but with anterior clypeal margin not angled, metanotal groove deeply impressed, propodeal spiracles large, propodeal spines long and slender, petiolar peduncle longer than the node.

Distribution
Known only from the Yunnan Province, China.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  GAOLIGONGIDRIS [Myrmicinae: Stenammini]
 * Gaoligongidris Xu, 2012: 335. Type-species: Gaoligongidris planodorsa, by original designation.

Description


Xu (2012):

Monomorphic terrestrial myrmicine ants with the following combination of characters.

Head square, occipital margin nearly straight.

Palp formula 2, 2 (2 individuals dissected).

Mandible triangular, with 6 sharp teeth which decrease in size from apex to base.

Median portion of clypeus longitudinally bicarinate, the posterior portion broadly inserted between the frontal lobes. Anterior clypeal margin extruding, nearly straight in the middle portion.

Anterior clypeal margin with a row of long setae, but lacking an isolated median seta.

Frontal lobes as broad as the posterior portion of clypeus which is inserted between them.

Frontal carinae and antennal scrobes absent.

Antennae 11-segmented; scapes short, apices failed to reach occipital corners; antennal clubs 3-segmented, the third segment of the club counting from apex reduced in volume and much shorter than the second one.

Eyes moderately large, drawn out anteroventrally, located before the midpoints of lateral sides of the head.

Promesonotum forming a high plateau, without teeth or prominences.

Promesonotal suture absent, metanotal groove deeply impressed.

Propodeum low, with a pair of long slender spines.

Propodeal spiracles large and circular, well before the declivity margin and high up on the sides.

Propodeal lobes small and bluntly angled at apex.

Metapleural gland bullae large and close to the propodeal spiracles.

Tibial spurs absent from middle and hind legs.

Petiole with long anterior peduncle, the spiracles located about at the midlength of the peduncle, subpetiolar process absent.

Postpetiolar dorsum roundly convex, subpostpetiolar process absent.

Cuticle thick, sculptures strongly developed on the head, alitrunk, petiole, and postpetiole.

Pilosity abundant.

Etymology
The new genus is named after the type locality “Gaoligong” plus the common suffix “-idris”.