Proceratium algiricum

Identification
A member of the pergandei clade. Differing from its in-group species Proceratium watasei, in the worker and gyne, by the much more superficial sculpture - punctuate in algiricum and deeper, granulate in watasei - and lighter colour. Material that we were able to see showed the yellow-brown coloration of algiricum vs. the dark reddish of watasei should represent a clear character for the quick separation of the two. Proceratium algiricum differs from the two outgroup species, Proceratium pergandei and Proceratium chickasaw, in the worker and in the gyne, by the gaster strongly convex on the curvature instead of angulate on the curvature. (Baroni Urbani and de Andrade 2003)

Distribution
Croatia, south Italy, Greece, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia.

This taxon was described from Algeria.

Nomenclature

 *  algiricum. Proceratium (Sysphingta) algiricum Forel, 1899b: 305 (w.) ALGERIA. Santschi, 1929e: 139 (q.). Combination in Sysphincta: Emery, 1909c: 362; in Proceratium: Brown, 1958g: 247. Senior synonym of mayri: Baroni Urbani, 1977d: 92. See also: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2003b: 219.
 * mayri. Proceratium (Sysphincta) mayri Forel, 1899b: 306 (w.) ALBANIA. Emery, 1909c: 361 (q.). Combination in Sysphincta: Emery, 1909c: 361; in Proceratium: Brown, 1958g: 248. Junior synonym of algiricum: Baroni Urbani, 1977d: 92.

Worker
Baroni Urbani and de Andrade (2003) - Head longer than broad, with sides subparallel in the two anterior thirds and strongly convex in the posterior third. Anteromedian part of the clypeus rectangular and strongly protruding anteriorly, dorsally with a variably impressed, inverted Y-shaped carina. Frontal cariniae diverging in the anterior half and subparallel in the posterior half, slightly raised and not very close to each other. Lateral expansions of the frontal carinae narrow. Genal carina absent. Gular area not impressed. Eyes small, in small specimens represented by a weakly pigmented dot below the integument and in larger specimens by a dark dot within the integument. First funicular joint 1/3 longer than broad. Funicular joints 2-10 about as broad as long. Last funicular joint slightly shorter than the sum of the joints 8-10. Scapes much short of the vertexal margin and gently thickening apically. Antennal torulus behind the lateral border of the clypeus. Outer face of the mandibles convex. Masticatory margin of the mandibles with 3-4 denticles before the pointed apical tooth. Palp formula 4,3.

Mesosoma about as long as the head (mandibles included). Promesopleural and meso-metapleural sutures impressed ventrally only. Propodeal dorsum between the basal and declivous faces slightly incised. Basal and declivous faces of the propodeum dorsally separated by a carina, the carina sometimes interrupted medially. Declivous face of the propodeum with a semitransparent lamella on each side, the lamella sometimes denticulate apically, broader on the posterior half. Propodeal spiracle round and over the mid height in lateral view.

Petiole convex in profile, with the sides diverging on the anterior fourth and strongly convex posteriorly in dorsal view. Anterior border of the petiole gently concave and carinate, the carina sometimes forming a denticle on each side. Ventral process of the petiole lamelliform, triangular. Postpetiole anteriorly as broad as or slightly broader than the petiole; its sides convex. Postpetiolar sternite anteromedially with a marked subtriangular projection. Posterior half of the postpetiolar sternite convex. Constriction between postpetiole and first gastral segment impressed. Castral tergite I strongly convex on the curvature. Remaining gastral tergites and sternites curved ventrally.

Legs slender. All tibiae with a pectinate spur. Spurs of fore legs with basal spine. Fore basitarsi as long as the mid ones. Hind basitarsi about 1/6 shorter than hind tibiae. Second tarsomere of hind legs longer than the pretarsus. Pretarsal claws simple. Arolia absent.

Sculpture. Head, mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole minutely punctate and sparsely rugulose. Caster superficially shining and covered by minute, piligerous impressions. Legs punctate.

Body covered by hairs of three main types: (1) short, dense, subdecumbent on the whole body, sparse and suberect on the funicular joints only; (2) longer than type (1), sparse and suberect on the whole body, absent on the funiculi; (3) shorter than hair type (1), dense and decumbent on the funicular joints only. In addition the funicular joints bear whitish, thick, appressed, short, sparse hairs, and the scapes with sparse hairs similar to type (2) but shorter.

Colour light brown.

Measurements in mm and Indices: TL 4.31-5.20; HL 0.97-1.14; HW 0.84-1.02; EL 0.03-0.05; SL 0.73-0.91; WL 1.16- 1.46; PeL 0.37-0.45; PeW 0.37-0.43; HFeL 0.83-1.02; HTiL 0.72-0.90; HBaL 0.60-0.78; LS4 0.36-0.44; LT4 1.02-1.28; CI 84.1-89.5; SI 74.2-79.8; IGR 0.32-0.37.

Queen
Baroni Urbani and de Andrade (2003) - Differing from the worker in the following details: eyes about 1/7 of the head length and with well defined ommatidia. Ocular pilosity present. Ocelli present.

Mesosoma robust. Scutellum small and shorter than the sides of the basal face of the propodeum; its sides gently converging into a convex posterior border. Metanotum with a minute denticle. Propodeal lamellae narrower.

Sculpture. Pronotum, basal face of the propodeum and petiole with additional, superficial, sparse, slightly irregular, small, foveae-like depressions. Gaster with denser and larger piligerous impressions.

Measurements in mm and Indices: TL 5.42; HL 1.10; HW 0.95; EL 0.16; SL 0.82; WL 1.48; PeL 0.41; PeW 0.45; HFeL 0.98; HTiL 0.80; HBaL 0.70; LS4 0.45; LT4 1.42; CI 86.4; SI 74.5; IGR 0.32.

Type Material
Type locality: Laverdure, Algeria. Type material: holotype worker labeled: "Laverdure, env. 1000 metres sous pierre (Algerie) (Forel), S. algirica Forel, type" in, examined.

Proceratium (Sysphingta) mayri Type locality: Corfu, Greece. Type material three syntype workers labelled "Corfu, J. Sahlb. Typus, Sysphincta mayri For.", 2 in MHNG, 1 in, examined.