Cardiocondyla weserka

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Among the species of the region in which the metanotal groove is impressed, weserka is immediately distinguished by the shape of the propodeal dorsum. In general the propodeal dorsum is convex behind the groove and then enters a long slope down to the tubercles, spines or teeth, but in weserka the dorsum is almost flat and does not conform to this usual shape. (Bolton 1982)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Cameroun.

Castes
Only known from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  weserka. Cardiocondyla weserka Bolton, 1982: 317, fig. 6 (w.) CAMEROUN. See also: Seifert, 2003a: 280.

Worker
Holotype. TL 1.9, HL 0.46, HW 0.35, CI 76, SL 0.32, SI 91, PW 0.25, AL 0.48.

Antennal scapes moderately long but when laid back on the head failing to reach the occipital corners in full-face view. Maximum diameter of eye 0.12, about 0.34 x HW and with 9-10 ommatidia in the longest row. Pronotum in dorsal view with the corners narrowly rounded but not prominent. With the alitrunk in profile the promesonotum with its dorsum almost flat, rounding broadly into its anterior declivity but running into the metanotal groove almost in a straight line, with only the feeblest of curves. Metanotal groove narrowly but quite distinctly impressed. Behind the metanotal groove the propodeal dorsum more or less flat and on a slightly higher level than the posterior part of the promesonotum; the propodeal convexity behind the metanotal groove followed by a long slope down to the spines, which is characteristic of most species of the region, is absent here. Propodeal spines elongate and narrow, much longer than their basal width in profile; in dorsal view the spines somewhat incurved, each spine easily as long as the distance separating their bases. Shape of pedicel segments in profile as in Fig. 6. In dorsal view the petiole node conspicuously longer than broad, its dorsal surface narrow. Postpetiole much broader than long, its anterior face slightly concave, its sides convex. Dorsum of head blanketed by a fine dense granular sculpture or shagreening. Dorsal promesonotum more lightly shagreened than head, the sculpture here being extremely fine and very dense indeed. Propodeal dorsum with same sculpture as promesonotum but somewhat weaker and appearing shiny in places. Petiole and postpetiole very finely and superficially shagreened. Hairs absent except on mouthparts but a fine appressed pubescence is present, most easily visible on the first gastral tergite. Alitrunk medium brown, the appendages slightly lighter. Head dorsally and gaster blackish brown to black. Pedicel segments intermediate in shade between alitrunk and gaster.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Cameroun: Nkoemvon, 1980, no. M35 (D. Jackson).