Aretidris buenaventei

This species was found when a rotten log on the forest floor containing its nest was disturbed in the dying light of late afternoon. Some foragers were collected by hand from nearby after the nest series of workers and brood were collected. (General 2015)

Identification

 * Head and mesosoma heavily sculptured; erect hairs moderately abundant on head and mesosoma; 1st gastral tergite slightly less than half the length of gaster; body larger (HW > 0.88) . . . . . Aretidris buenaventei


 * Head and mesosoma mostly smooth; erect hairs sparsely distributed on head and mesosoma; 1st gastral tergite extremely large, accounting for most of the length of gaster; body smaller (HW < 0.84) . . . . . Aretidris clousei

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Philippines.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  buenaventei. Aretidris buenaventei General, 2015: 134, figs. 1-6 (w.) PHILIPPINES (Luzon).

Worker
Holotype. CI 88, EI 18, EL 0.16, HFL 1.3, HL 1.03, HW 0.90, ML 1.40, MtL 1.85, PW 0.73, SI 108, SL 0.98, TL 5.43. Paratypes: CI 84 - 95, EI 16 - 19, EL 0.15 - 0.18, HFL 1.15 - 1.35, HL 0.98 - 1.08, HW 0.88 - 0.95, ML 1.38 - 1.50, MtL 1.75 - 1.93, PW 0.73 - 0.78, SL 0.88 - 1.03, TL 5.28 - 5.74 (17 measured). With all the character states of the genus. Body, except gaster and appendages, heavily sculptured. Head alveolate, each cavity bearing an erect or suberect hair. Mesosoma, petiole, and postpetiole alveolate with superimposed rugae. Mandible, median clypeus, and gaster smooth. First gastral tergite slightly less than half the length of gaster.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Philippines: Luzon Island, Nueva Vizcaya Province, Municipality of Quezon, Mt. Palali, Maddianggat Village, 1436 m a.s.l., 16° 27' 24.1" N, 121° 13' 17" E, 5.I. 2010, primary upper montane forest, ex log nest, leg. P.A.C. Buenavente ( 8980) (deposited in PNM). Paratypes: 22 workers with same data as holotype (PNM 8981 - 9002) (one pin each to:, , , DMGC, , PACB, ; two pins to ; the rest to PNM).

Etymology
This species is dedicated to my friend and colleague, Perry Archival C. Buenavente, researcher of the National Museum of the Philippines, who tirelessly surveys ant diversity in the Philippines and collected the type nest series.