Axinidris murielae

The types of A. murielae are from Cameroun; Shattuck (1991) also recorded specimens from Ghana. I have also seen a few specimens from the vicinity of Busumbuli in the Kakamega Forest of Kenya. Both samples were taken by tree fogging, one from Teclea nobilis and one from Heinsenia diervillioides. (Snelling 2007)

Identification
Snelling (2007) - Antennal scape with more than 5 and pronotum with 2 erect hairs; pronotum mostly smooth and shiny; medial carina present and obtuse in profile; distance between spines less than PPW; head and body reddish brown.

The two species Axinidris gabonica and A. murielae are similar and may ultimately prove to belong to a single somewhat variable species. For the present the two are separable as noted in the key: A. murielae has 4-6 erect hairs on the pronotum (only 2 in A. gabonica) and numerous erect hairs on the front of the head (only 4 in A. gabonica) and also with erect hairs on gastral terga 2-4 (one in A. gabonica).

Key to Axinidris species

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Cameroun, Central African Republic, Kenya.

Castes
Males have yet to be collected.

Nomenclature

 *  murielae. Axinidris murielae Shattuck, 1991: 116, figs. 23-25, 35 (w.q.) CAMEROUN. See also: Snelling, R.R. 2007: 567.