Cardiocondyla schulzi

This species is known from a single locality in Kerala, India. Nothing is known about its biology.

Identification
Worker (Table 1, Figure 5, key): Small size, CS 432 µm. Head much less elongated than in related species, CL/CW 1.187. Postocular distance large, PoOc/CL 0.463. Scape rather short, SL/CS 0.780. Eye medium sized, EYE/CS 0.228, with notable micropilae, the longest measuring 6–9 µm. Occipital margin weakly concave. Frontal carinae notably converging immediately caudal of FRS level (FL/FR 1.113). Dorsal profile of promesonotum rather straight, metanotal groove absent or barely visible (MGr/CS 0.11%). Spines short and triangular (SP/CS 0.113), their axis in profile deviating by 40–45° from longitudinal axis of mesosoma. Petiole narrow (PeW/CS 0.247), in profile much lower than in related species (PeH/CS 0.278), with straight to feebly concave anterior face and a flat convex node that is in dorsal view slightly longer than wide. Postpetiole significantly narrower and lower than in most related species except C. opaca (PpW/CS 0.425, PpH/CS 0.240), its sternite completely flat, without anteroventral bulge; in dorsal view with convex sides and slightly concave anterior margin. Paramedian vertex with deeply impressed, flat-bottomed foveolae of 16–17 µm diameter in dense honey-comb arrangement. Foveolae with an inner corona (margin of a flat tubercle) of 7–8 µm diameter. Median vertex with few longitudinal carinulae. Mesosoma on whole surface sculptured. Waist segments with shallower and finer reticulum than on mesosoma, nodes sometimes slightly shiny. Basal part of first gaster tergite without or only barely visible microreticulum. Pubescence on whole body rather long and dense (PLG/CS 7.36%, sqPDG 3.76). Color of head, mesosoma, and waist concolorous dark brown.

Cardiocondyla schulzi differs from Cardiocondyla goa, Cardiocondyla minutior and Cardiocondyla tjibodana by the very low CL/CW, PeH/CS and PeW/CS. With all measurements given in mm, it is clearly separable by a discriminant D(2) = 198.1∗PeH − 72.43∗CL + 9.013 with D(2) being −1.107 ± 0.478 [−1.780, −0.676] in four workers of C. schulzi and 3.098 ± 1.006 [0.685, 5.959] in 210 individual workers of the other three species.

Distribution
Known only from type specimens collected in South India at approximately 9.60° N, and 77.20° E.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India.

Nomenclature

 * . Cardiocondyla schulzi Seifert, 2022: 33, fig. 5 (w.) INDIA.

Type Material
Holotype plus one paratype labelled “Indien_02: Kerala, Periyar Sanctuary, vic. Thekkady, 30, 500–1000 mH, 02.-05.1997, Leg. A. Schulz, K. Vock 30” and “Holotype (top) & paratype Cardiocondyla schulzi Seifert”; two paratype workers labelled “Indien_02: Kerala, Periyar Sanctuary, vic. Thekkady, 500–1000 mH, 02.-05.1997, Leg. A. Schulz, K. Vock X” and “Paratypes Cardiocondyla schulzi Seifert; both samples stored in SMN Görlitz.