Aenictus decolor

Identification
The workers of this species answer to the Aenictus bidentatus description, except for its more developed mesosomal sculpture, consistently larger size and relatively longer scapes. (See discussion under Aenictus bidentatus).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Benin, Cameroun, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria.

Nomenclature

 * . Typhlatta decolor Mayr, 1879: 668 (diagnosis in key) (w.) EAST AFRICA (no state data).
 * Type-material: syntype workers (number not stated).
 * Type-locality: none given, “Ost Afrika”.
 * Type-depository: NHMW.
 * Gotwald & Leroux, 1980: 602 (q.).
 * Combination in Aenictus: Dalla Torre, 1893: 7.
 * Status as species: Dalla Torre, 1893: 7; Emery, 1895j: 746; Emery, 1910b: 31; Arnold, 1915: 143; Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 751; Gotwald & Leroux, 1980: 600; Bolton, 1995b: 59; Hita Garcia, et al. 2013: 201.
 * Senior synonym of batesi: Gotwald & Leroux, 1980: 600; Bolton, 1995b: 59.
 * Distribution: Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria.
 * batesi. Aenictus batesi Forel, 1911e: 255 (w.) NIGERIA.
 * Type-material: syntype workers (number not stated).
 * Type-locality: Nigeria: Old Calabar (H.W. Bates).
 * Type-depositories: MHNG, NHMB.
 * Status as species: Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 751.
 * Junior synonym of decolor: Gotwald & Leroux, 1980: 600; Bolton, 1995b: 58.

Type Material

 * Typhlatta decolor
 * Syntype EAST AFRICA. (Smith) (1w) [CASENT0919639] NMHW: Coll. Mayr [Examined by Gomez, 2022]; Syntypes, same data (1w each) [NHMUK012849174 to NHMUK012849177] BMNH [Examined by Gomez, 2022].
 * Aenictus batesi
 * Syntype NIGERIA: Alt. Calabar (H. N. Bates) (1w) [CASENT0907024] NHMB [Examined by Gomez, 2022]; Syntype, same series (1w) [Examined by Gomez, 2022]; Syntype, same data, MHNG Coll. Forel (4 pins, 1w each) [Examined by Gomez, 2022].

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Baroni Urbani C. 1977. Katalog der Typen von Formicidae (Hymenoptera) der Sammlung des Naturhistorischen Museums Basel (2. Teil). Mitt. Entomol. Ges. Basel (n.s.) 27: 61-102.
 * Chapman, J.W. and S.R. Capco. 1951. Check list of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Asia. Monographs of the Institute of Science and Technology (Manila) 1: 1- 327
 * Donisthorpe H. 1942. New species of ants (Hym., Formicidae) from the Gold Coast, Borneo, Celebes, New Guinea and New Hebrides. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (11)9:701-709.
 * Gotwald W. H. Jr., J.M. Leroux. 1980. Taxonomy of the African army ant, Aenictus decolor (Mayr), with a description of the queen (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 82:599-608.
 * Hita Garcia F., E. Wiesel, G. Fischer. 2013. The ants of Kenya (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)faunal overview, first species checklist, bibliography, accounts for all genera, and discussion on taxonomy and zoogeography. Journal of East African Natural History 101: 127-222.
 * Hita Garcia, F., G. Fischer, M.K. Peters, R.R. Snelling and H.W. Wagele. 2009. A preliminary checklist of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Kakamega Forest (Kenya). Journal of East African Natural HIstory 98(2): 147-165.
 * Kone M., S. Konate, K. Yeo, P. K. Kouassi, K. E. Linsemair. 2010. Diversity and abundance of terrrestrial ants along a gradient of land use intensification in a transitional forest-savannah zone of Cote d'Ivoire. Journal of Applied Biosciences 29: 1809-1827.
 * Medler J. T. 1980: Insects of Nigeria - Check list and bibliography. Mem. Amer. Ent. Inst. 30: i-vii, 1-919.
 * Taylor B., N. Agoinon, A. Sinzogan, A. Adandonon, Y. N'Da Kouagou, S. Bello, R. Wargui, F. Anato, I. Ouagoussounon, H. Houngbo, S. Tchibozo, R. Todjhounde, and J. F. Vayssieres. 2018. Records of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from the Republic of Benin, with particular reference to the mango farm ecosystem. Journal of Insect Biodiversity 8(1): 006–029.