Meranoplus boltoni

Besides the type noted as being collected on the ground, nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Schödl (1998) - Close to Meranoplus nepalensis but is different by the shapes of the anterior margin of the clypeus, the narrower petiole and the shape of the promesonotal shield.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: Sri Lanka.

Nomenclature

 * . Meranoplus boltoni Schödl, 1998: 376, figs. 11, 25, 32 (w.) SRI LANKA.
 * Type-material: holotype worker, 2 paratype workers.
 * Type-locality: holotype Sri Lanka: Diyatalawa, 1680 m., 15.i.1988, on ground (B. Bolton); paratypes with same data.
 * Type-depositories: BMNH (holotype); BMNH, NHMW (paratypes).
 * Status as species: Dias, R.K.S. et al. 2020: 75.
 * Distribution: Sri Lanka.

Worker
Holotype: TL: 3.00, HL: 0.8, HW: 0.78, CI: 98, SL: 0.58, SI: 74, PML: 0.65, PW: 0.85, PMI: 131, AL: 0.75.

Paratypes: TL: 3.13, HL: 0.83, HW: 0.78, CI: 94, SL: 0.58, SI: 74, PML: 0.63 - 0.65, PW: 0.83 - 0.85, PMI: 130 - 132, AL: 0.75 (2 measured).

Mandibles striate, armed with four teeth. Mid-portion of clypeus rugulosely-striate, only feebly concave. Anterior margin of clypeal mid-portion produced into a narrow shelf with a row of blunt denticles. Frontal triangle reduced to an arcuate furrow between clypeus and frons. Head above antennal scrobes rectangular, posteriorly parallel-sided, towards clypeus lateral sides of head evenly narrowed. Ventrally to the antennal scrobes head similarly shaped, thus genae not protruding and hardly visible from above. Antennal scrobes anteriorly smooth with few wrinkles or rugae, posteriorly with distinct transverse rugulae. Genae rugulose-reticulate. Compound eyes situated behind middle of lateral sides of head close to the posterior corners. Maximum diameter of eye 0.16 - 0.17, with 9 - 10 ommatidia in the longest row.

Promesonotum wider than long, the promesonotal shield distinctly margined, lamellate and overhanging sides of alitrunk laterally and propodeum posteriorly. Anterior corners of pronotum each with an acute tooth, posteriorly the sides of the shield distinctly sinuate and constricted at about the level of (invisible) promesonotal suture. Posterior corners of promesonotal shield provided with a short, acute spine on each side, pointing in a ca. 45 angle from the shield. Hind margin of mesonotum with paramedian short, blunt spines, between them a translucent lamella. Lateral margins of the shield with a translucent fenestra at level of promesonotal suture and a second one in front of posterior corners. Declivity of propodeum smooth throughout, with a faint shagreening especially above, the lateral sides acutely boardered. Lateral propodeal spines situated rather high above middle of propodeal length. Only lateral parts of suture between dorsal alitrunk and propodeum visible immediately below posterior margin of posterior mesonotal margin, when viewed from behind.

Petiole in profile tapered, its anterior face unsculptured. When viewed from above, posterior petiolar face behind the summit with a narrow transverse band of wrinkles, its declivity glossy. Postpetiole nodiform. First gastral tergite brilliant, especially laterally with a faint shagreening, and with a minute sculpturing around hair-pits.

Dorsum of head, promesonotum and postpetiole densely reticulate-rugulose, width of the meshes ca. 30 - 50(70) μm. Entire dorsal surface and appendages covered with dense, whitish, stiff, erect to suberect pubescence (ca. 250 - 300 μm). Colour of individuals uniformly brown.

Type Material
Holotype worker, "SRI LANKA Diyatalawa 15.1.88; 1680 m B.Bolton \ [overleaf:] 38. on ground" ; paratypes: two workers, same data as holotype (BMNH, ). Type locality: Diyatalawa, southern Sri Lanka.

Etymology
Named for Barry Bolton (BMNH), who collected this species. In addition he provided the author with numerous material, and was especially helpful in many ways.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Schödl S. 1998. Taxonomic revision of Oriental Meranoplus F. Smith, 1853 (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae). Annalen des Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien. B, Botanik, Zoologie 100: 361-394.