Eusphinctus taylori

Identification
Jaitrong et al. (2016) - Eusphinctus furcatus is similar to Eusphinctus taylori in general appearance as they share the pygidial apex deeply notched (as seen from above), 11-segmented antenna, reddish brown body and swollen mesosoma. However, E. furcatus is easily separated from E. taylori by the following conditions: body larger (WL 1.68-1.78 mm in E. furcatus while WL 1.27 mm in E. taylori); petiole longer than broad (broader than long in E. taylori); body color darker (deep reddish brown in E. furcatus while light reddish brown in E. taylori).


 * Larger species (WL 1.68-1.78 mm); body deep reddish brown; petiolar node longer than broad (India, Myanmar, and Thailand) . . . . . Eusphinctus furcatus


 * Smaller species (WL 1.27 mm); body light reddish brown; petiolar node broader than long (India) . . . . . Eusphinctus taylori

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: Bangladesh, India.

Nomenclature

 * . Sphinctomyrmex (Eusphinctus) taylori Forel, 1900d: 328 (w.) INDIA (Odisha).
 * Type-material: syntype workers (number not stated).
 * Type-locality: India: Orissa (Taylor).
 * Type-depositories: MHNG, MSNG.
 * Combination in Eusphinctus: Borowiec, M.L. 2016: 144.
 * Status as species: Bingham, 1903: 25; Emery, 1911d: 7; Chapman & Capco, 1951: 21; Brown, 1975: 33, 75; Bolton, 1995b: 392; Bharti, Guénard, et al. 2016: 22; Jaitrong, Wiwatwitaya & Sakchoowong, 2016: 3 (in key).
 * Distribution: India.

Description
Worker

Bingham (1903): Closely resembles S. furcatus, Emery, but is smaller, and the pygidium is not so deeply bifurcate. Brownish yellow, covered with partly erect, short pale hairs; pubescence almost entirely absent. Head, thorax, node of the pedicel above and basal abdominal segment somewhat coarsely punctured, most densely on the head and basal abdominal segment, and very sparsely on the thorax above, which is smooth and shining. Head longer than broad, emarginate posteriorly; mandibles densely punctured: antennal hollows margined on the outside by an arcuate carina; antennae very massive and thick. Thorax with the basal face of the metanotum passing into the apical face by an abrupt curve, the latter margined only at the sides, not above. Node of the pedicel about as broad as long, slightly rounded at the corners, convex above abdomen: the 2nd and succeeding segments with fine, rather scattered punctures; pygidium concave, incised at apex, and with the lateral margins spinulose.

Length: 5 - 5.5 mm

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Basu P., N. Tak, and A. K. Sanyal. 2013. Ants (insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Bethuadahari wildlife sanctuary, Nadia, West Bengal, India. Rec. zool, Surv. India: 113(4): 17-22.
 * 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
 * Brown W. L., Jr. 1975. Contributions toward a reclassification of the Formicidae. V. Ponerinae, tribes Platythyreini, Cerapachyini, Cylindromyrmecini, Acanthostichini, and Aenictogitini. Search Agric. (Ithaca N. Y.) 5(1): 1-115.
 * Chapman, J. W., and Capco, S. R. 1951. Check list of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Asia. Monogr. Inst. Sci. Technol. Manila 1: 1-327
 * Emery C. 1911. Hymenoptera. Fam. Formicidae. Subfam. Ponerinae. Genera Insectorum 118: 1-125.
 * Forel A. 1900. Les Formicides de l'Empire des Indes et de Ceylan. Part VII. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 13: 303-332.
 * 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.