Aretidris clousei

This species was collected by leaf litter sifting. It forages diurnally as individuals in the leaf litter.

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.

Biology
This is likely the same species that was included in the phylogenetic analysis of Lordomyrma (Lucky & Sarnat 2010) as 'Genus undet. PH03'. Although the outgroup sampling was very limited, the analysis suggested the genus is a close relative of Lordomyrma.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  clousei. Aretidris clousei General, 2015: 134, figs. 7-12 (w.) PHILIPPINES (Luzon).

Worker
Holotype. CI 87, EI 23, EL 0.19, HFL 1.13, HL 0.95, HW 0.83, ML 1.38, MtL 1.23, PW 0.68, SI 103, SL 0.85, TL 4.65. Paratypes: CI 84 - 89, EI 20 - 24, EL 0.16 - 0.20, HFL 1.10 - 1.15, HL 0.93 - 0.98, HW 0.80 - 0.84, ML 1.33 - 1.40, MtL 1.13 - 1.23, PW 0.68 - 0.73, SI 97 - 106, SL 0.80 - 0.88, TL 4.55 - 4.76 (4 measured). With all the character states of the genus. Body mostly smooth. Scattered punctures over the head and mesosoma bear long erect to suberect hairs. First gastral tergite (= abdominal tergite IV) huge, accounting for most of the length of gaster.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Philippines: Luzon Island, Sorsogon Province, Municipality of Bulusan, Bulusan Volcano Natural Park, Aguingay Lake, Southwest Ridge, 900 m a.s.l., 12° 46' 13" N 124° 04' 16" E, 9.VI.2014, secondary forest, ex leaf litter, leg. R. Clouse ( 9004) (deposited in PNM). Paratypes: 2 workers with same data as holotype; 2 workers with same data as holotype except 10.VI.2014 (PNM 9005 - 9008) (one pin each to:, , , ).

Etymology
This species is dedicated to my good friend Ronald M. Clouse who collected all the type specimens.