Lophomyrmex striatulus

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
A member of the Lophomymrex bedoti group.

Rigato (1994) - Its closest relative appears to be Lophomyrmex ambiguus. L. striatulus always has one or two longitudinal short rugulae running backward from the insertion of the humeral hair; these rugulae are always lacking in L. ambiguus. The rugulation of the pronotum in L. striatulus is always more developed than in L. ambiguus. Also. L. striatulus has the eye slightly larger and nearer to the mandibular insertion, a shallower metanotal groove, a thinner petiolar node, and its average size is smaller.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: Thailand.

Nomenclature

 *  striatulus. Lophomyrmex striatulus Rigato, 1994a: 56, figs. 16, 17 (w.) THAILAND.

Worker
Holotype: TL 2.8, HL 0.73, HW 0.69, CI 95, SL 0.61, SI 88, PW 0.45, AL 0.83, SpL 0.24, HTL 0.60, TI, 87.

In lateral view the distance between the mandibular insertion and the anterior point of the eye is about 1.3 times the maximum eye length. Mesonotum in profile with a low prominence and a faint posterior step. Metanotal groove very shallow in profile. Propodeal spines in profile rather straight and sharp; their superior border weakly convex in the basal half. Petiolar node in profile very briefly sub truncate and with a rounded angle between its anterior and dorsal faces; posterior slope distinct. Postpetiole not massive and shorter than the petiole.

Clypeus feebly shagreened and sublucid, except for its posteriormost median portion which is smooth. Frontal triangle weakly sculptured and sublucid. Head distinctly reticulate throughout, subopaque; frons and vertex more superficially sculptured and sublucid. Genae and frontal lobes with weak longitudinal rugulae. Ventral head surface with anteriorly convergent rugulae. Anterior pronotal slope clearly reticulate, with some short transverse rugulae on the sides. Pronotal dorsum with a weak longitudinal median carina and some irregular short rugae on the rest of the surface (more visible in oblique view). Pronotal sides faintly longitudinally striolate. Two weak short rugulae rise backward from the insertion of the humeral hair. Mesonotum, mesopleuron and propodeum, excluding its smooth declivity, clearly reticulate and quite dull; mesonotum slightly more superficially sculptured. Petiole and postpetiole wholly reticulate and mostly subopaque. Gaster very faintly reticulate and shining.

Pilosity and pubescence as usual in the genus.

Colour light yellowish brown, the whole dorsum slightly darker.

Paratype workers: TL 2.6-3.1, HL 0.65-0.77, HW 0.59-0.73, CI 91-96, SL 0.55-0.62, SI 85-93, PW 0.40-0.48, AL 0.75-0.89, SpL 0.22-0.26, HTL 0.54-0.63, TI 84-92 (29 measured).

As the holotype but varying as follows: Eye distance from the mandibular insertion ranges from about 1.2 to 1.3 times the maximum eye length. Propodeal spines, mesonotum and alitrunk rather constant in shape.

Smallest specimens are more superficially sculptured with clearly shining frons and vertex, although still distinctly reticulate. Some rugulae always occur on the pronotum. In largest specimens rugulae are often more numerous and developed on the pronotum.

Colour from brownish yellow to yellowish brown.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Thailand: Khao Sabap Nat. Park 24.ix.1985 (I. Lobi and D. Burckhardt). Paratype worker, 29 specimens with the same data as the holotype (MHNG).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Sheela S., and S. N. Ghosh. 2009. A new species of Lophomyrmex Emery (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from India with a key to Indian species. Biosystematica 2(2): 17-20.