Plectroctena mandibularis

This species is a specialized predator of millipedes.

Distribution
This taxon was described from South Africa. It is also found in Mozambique, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Rwanda, Zambia, Namibia, South Africa and Botswana.

Nomenclature

 *  mandibularis. Plectroctena mandibularis Smith, F. 1858b: 101, pl. 7, figs. 1-5 (m., ergatoid q., not w.) SOUTH AFRICA. Forel, 1913a: 108 (w.); Arnold, 1915: 86 (w.). Material of the nomen nudum caffra referred here: Roger, 1861a: 41. Senior synonym of major: Emery, 1899e: 469; Bolton, 1974c: 330; of integra and material of the unavailable name strialiventris referred here: Bolton, 1974c: 330; of conjugata: Villet, McKitterick & Robertson, 1999: 282..
 * major. Plectroctena caffra r. major Forel, 1894b: 74 (ergatoid q., not w.) MOZAMBIQUE. Arnold, 1915: 86 (w.). Subspecies of mandibularis: Emery, 1911d: 95; Santschi, 1914b: 54. Junior synonym of mandibularis: Emery, 1899e: 469; Bolton, 1974c: 330.
 * conjugata. Plectroctena minor st. conjugata Santschi, 1914e: 8 (w.q.) SOUTH AFRICA. Santschi, 1924a: 166 (m.); Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1989b: 52 (l.). Raised to species: Santschi, 1924a: 166. Junior synonym of mandibularis: Arnold, 1926: 209. Revived from synonymy: Bolton, 1974c: 326. Junior synonym of mandibularis: Villet, McKitterick & Robertson, 1999: 282.
 * integra. Plectroctena mandibularis var. integra Santschi, 1924a: 161 (w.m.) KENYA. Junior synonym of mandibularis: Bolton, 1974c: 330.



One syntype queen (ergatoid) and one syntype male in. Labelled “Port Natal. 58/13.” Acc. Reg.: “ 1858 no. 13. Port Natal. Purchased of Stevens. Collected by Gueinzius.”

In the original description Smith initially refers to the specimens as worker and male. He states, “worker not known” but goes on to say that the two were taken “in coitu.” The two specimens are certainly a male and an ergatoid queen. They were originally mounted on a single pin, the male above the ergatoid. The male has been remounted, separately.

Additional References

 * [[Media:Forel 1894b.pdf|Forel, A. 1894b. Abessinische und andere afrikanische Ameisen, gesammelt von Herrn Ingenieur Alfred Ilg, von Herrn Dr. Liengme, von Herrn Pfarrer Missionar P. Berthoud, Herrn Dr. Arth. Müller etc. Mitt. Schweiz. Entomol. Ges. 9: 64-100 PDF]]