Aenictus villiersi

Identification
Aenictus villiersi fits the description of Aenictus batesi and Aenictus decolor, except for SIL considerably larger, the biggest of all the Afrotropical species (~100), subpetiolar process considerably smaller and shaped as a quarter of ellipse with its vertical side oriented forward, instead of subrectangular as in the other two sibling species. Petiole with dorsolateral ridges small but present, extending to the spiracle; in dorsal view forming a small flat platform differentiable from petiolar node (this character also present in some A. decolor samples). Also see discussion under Aenictus bidentatus.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Guinea.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 * . Aenictus villiersi Bernard, 1953b: 221, fig. 7Ev,Fv (w.) GUINEA.
 * Type-material: 4 syntype workers.
 * Type-locality: Guinea: NE Nimba, 700 m., ix.1946 (Villiers).
 * Type-depository: MNHN.
 * Status as species: Bolton, 1995b: 61.
 * Distribution: Guinea.

Type Material

 * Syntypes, GUINEA: forêt du Nimba nord est, 700 m. ix-1946 (Villiers) (4w) [EY9136, EY20210, EY20211, EY20212]. Material examined and remounted by Gomez (2022) on four different pins, EY9136 with original labels.

Description
Translated from the original description:

Length 3-3,2 mm. Head and thorax red, petiole, abdomen and appendixes dark yellow. Very smooth and shiny, except for the posterior two-thirds of the side of the thorax, which are matt, shagreened. Pilosity yellowish, not dense but very long, over the head and body. General aspect slender and convex, similar to Aenictus of the group eugenii-congolensis-mariae, but petiole and antennae are clearly distinct:

Antennae relatively thin. Second funicular segment length almost double than first and more than double of third. Thorax rather convex, sides of mesothorax and propodeum with strong longitudinal striae. In eugenii, petiolar segments angled in its dorsal face, shagreened or puntuated, both with a ventral anterior tooth and a posterior peduncule, cylindrical and puntuated. Villiersi with dorsal and ventral profile rounded, without teeth. The peduncule is striated, but the rest of petiole and postpetiole smooth. This type of petiole resembles A. mariae, austral species known from Cameroon, with the head smaller and the funicle shorter. A. mentu seems to belong to this group, from Imatong Mountains, with the petiole lower and slender