Technomyrmex vapidus

T. vapidus nests under stones and forages both on the ground and in low vegetation.

Identification
Bolton (2007) - Closely related to Technomyrmex pallipes, with very similar complement and arrangement of setae. However, it is more brightly coloured than pallipes and has smaller eyes that are located distinctly more posteriorly on the head capsule. In addition, the posterior cephalic margin of vapidus usually has an extra short seta on each side, located close to the corners, that are not seen in pallipes. These are missing in some smaller workers of vapidus, but whether they have not developed or have merely been abraded away has not been established. A few weak intercastes between worker and queen have been detected, but they are at the worker-like end of the sequence and do not seem as common as in pallipes, Technomyrmex moerens or other species where intercastes are regularly developed.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Kenya, United Republic of Tanzania.

Nomenclature

 *  vapidus. Technomyrmex vapidus Bolton, 2007a: 39, fig. 6 (w.) KENYA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 3.2, HL 0.72, HW 0.70, SL 0.66, PW 0.47, WL 0.94. Indices: CI 97, 51 94, OJ 26, EPI 82, DTI 123.

Frontal carina with 2 setae: one above the torulus, the other at the level of the anterior margin of the eye. No seta at level of posterior margin of eye but dorsum posterior to this with 2 pairs of short stubbly setae: anterior pair about midway between level of posterior margin of eye and posterior margin of head, posterior pair very close to or at the posterior margin; all are about half the length of the seta at the level of the anterior margin of the eve. In addition the posterior margin of the head with an even shorter seta on each side, located close to the corners. In full-face view median portion of anterior clypeal margin broadly shallowly concave; posterior margin of head broadly and very shallowly concave. Eyes moderate (OT range 26 - 29), located slightly in front of midlength (EPT range 79 - 86); in full-face view outer margins of eyes fail to break the outline of the sides. Dorsum of propodeum short and more or less flat, meeting the steeply sloped declivity in a blunted angle. Number of setal (pairs on mesosoma: pronotum 3; mesonotum 1; propodeal dorsum 0; lateral margins of propodeal declivity 2, above the level of the spiracle. Gastral tergites 1 - 4 each with numerous setae, distributed everywhere on the sclerites; all shorter than the maximum diameter of the eye. Head light orange-brown, mesosoma and petiole dull yellow, Easter slightly darker. Legs about the same colour as mesosoma, the middle and hind tibiae not strikingly darker than the tarsi.

Other worker. TL 2.6 - 3.2, HL 0.61 - 0.72, HW 0.54 - 0.70, SL 0.55 - 0.68, PW 0.38 - 0.47, WL 0.78 - 0.94 (15 measured). Indices: CI 90 - 97, SI 94 - 104, OI 26 - 29, EPI 79 - 86, DTI 115 - 123.

As holotype but number of pairs of mesosomal setae variable: pronotum with 1 - 3; mesonotum with 0 - 2; lateral margins of propodeal declivity 1-3. In some instances a seta may be single, not paired. The outer margins of the eyes of smaller workers just touch the outline of the sides in full-face view. In some specimens the small outer pair of setae on the posterior margin of the head may be absent (but could merely be abraded away). Gaster is usually distinctly darker than mesosoma but in some is about the same colour. The head varies from yellow, through brownish yellow, to orange-brown.

Type Material
Holotype worker (upper of two on pin), Kenya: Gatab, Mt Kulal, 9.viii.1979 (J. Darlington). Paratype. 1 worker (lower of two on pin) with same data (BMNH).