Cataulacus moloch

Identification
C. moloch is closest related to Cataulacus centrurus, the differences between them are noted under the latter name. (Bolton 1982)

Distribution
This taxon was described from Ghana.

Nomenclature

 *  moloch. Cataulacus moloch Bolton, 1982: 361, fig. 34 (w.) GHANA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 3.4, HL 0.90, HW 0.80, CI 89, EL 0.43, OI 54, SL 0.42, SI 53, PW 0.60, AL 0.94.

With the head in full-face view the sides behind the eyes denticulate, ending in a low triangular tooth at the occipital corner. Occipital margin with a small tooth close to the one at the corner but otherwise unarmed; the occipital crest absent, the dorsum rounding evenly into the occipital surface. Eyes relatively large, OI > 50. Alitrunk with promesonotum both longitudinally and transversely convex. In profile the alitrunk with its highest point at about the midlength of the pronotum, behind which the dorsum is evenly shallowly convex to the base of the propodeal spines. The steeply sloping anterior portion of the pronotal dorsum with a number of minute peaks or tubercles from which hairs arise, such peaks absent elsewhere on the dorsum. Tooth on mesokatepisternum moderately developed, distinct. Propodeal spines in profile scarcely elevated and almost straight, only very feeble downcurved along their length; not having the basal portions elevated and the distal portions recurved. With the alitrunk in dorsal view the pronotal corners with prominent acute dentiform angles. Pronotal margin behind the corners with 5-6 triangular, laterally projecting denticles which are quite evenly spaced. Sides of mesonoturn with two small denticles, the sides of the propodeum convex over the site of the spiracles, with one or two minute tubercles. Propodeal spines broad in dorsal view and evenly divergent. Petiole in profile rising to an acute peak dorsally. Subpetiolar process complex, with a blunt and strongly prominent anteroventral angle and a tooth-like projecting posteroventral angle, the two separated by a conspicuously concave ventral margin. Postpetiole in profile with the dorsal and posterior surfaces distinctly denticulate, the subpostpetiolar process elongate-digitiform. Dorsum of head irregularly reticulate-rugulose, the reticular meshes of varying size and the rugulae themselves low and rounded. Ground-sculpture within the meshes reduced to an inconspicuous vetigial shagreening, without punctures. Pronotal dorsum similarly but more strongly sculptured, with a few low broad transverse rugae anteriorly but with the longitudinal component predominating behind this. On the mesonotum and propodeum the longitudinal component of the sculpture predominates, the rugae being broader and more strongly developed; many of the cross-meshes are feeble or incomplete. Rugae between bases of propodeal spines transverse. Petiole in dorsal view regularly longitudinally rugose, the rugae converging posteriorly; the postpetiole irregularly rugose. Ground-sculpture of alitrunk as on head. First gastral tergite blanketed by dense reticulate-punctation, without strong basigastral rugulae but here and there with feeble short rugulae formed by the alignment of margins of adjacent punctures. First gastral sternite reticulate-punctate. Sides of pronotum transversely sulcate. Discounting the long hairs which arise around the eyes the dorsum of the head with numerous stalked-suborbicular hairs, the basal stems of which are quite short. Occipital surface with longer hairs which increase in thickness from base to apex. All remaining dorsal surfaces of body with numerous short stout blunt hairs. On the alitrunk some of these hairs are slightly thicker apically than basally, these hairs straight everywhere except on the base of the first gastral tergite where they are slightly back-curved. Colour uniform black; the scapes, tibiae and tarsi dull yellow.

Paratypes. TL 2.8-3.2, HL 0.74-0.86, HW 0.68-0.72, CI 86-92, EL 0.39-0.42, OI 54-57, SL 0.38-0.40, SI 53-56, PW 0.50-0.60, AL 0.78-0.92 (3 measured).

As holotype but averaging slightly smaller.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Ghana: Pankese, 24.ix.1968 (C. A. Collingwood). Paratype. Ghana: 1 worker with same data as holotype. Nigeria: 2 workers, Onipe, CRIN, 11.vi.1975, tree 47-16 (A63.1), black pod project (B. Taylor) (BMNH).

Additional References

 * [[Media:Bolton 1982.pdf|Bolton, B. 1982. Afrotropical species of the myrmecine ant genera Cardiocondyla, Leptothorax, Melissotarsus, Messor and Cataulacus (Formicidae). Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History). Entomology, 46: 307-370 PDF]]