Cardiocondyla yoruba

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
No distinctive features, but with a combination of characters which make it different from any other Afrotropical Cardiocondyla. Its closest relative seems to be Cardiocondyla emeryi Forel from which C. yoruba may be easily separated by its minor size (compare measurements with those reported in Bolton, 1982), shallower metanotal groove and, in dorsal view, differently shaped petiolar node. (Rigato 2002)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Nigeria.

Castes
Only known from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  yoruba. Cardiocondyla yoruba Rigato, 2002: 169, figs. 6, 7 (w.) NIGERIA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 1.6, HL 0.42, HW 0.32, CI 76, SL 0.27, SI 84, PW 0.23, AL 0.45.

In full face view head rectangular, longer than wide, the sides appearing slightly convergent in front of the eyes, anterior edge of the clypeal lobe hardly emarginate and occiput weakly concaye. Maximum eye diameter 0.10 mm (8 ommatidia in the longest row). With the alitrunk in profile the promesonotum, as well as the dorsum of the propodeum, forming a low convexity; metanotal groove very shallow. Pronotum in dorsal view with rounded humeri and promesonotum with posteriorly weakly converging sides. Propodeal spines well developed, but short and with a broad base. Petiole in profile with a well developed node, in dorsal view the node is rounded and about as long as wide; in posterior view it appears widely rounded. Subpetiolar process small and protruding in front. Postpetiole in dorsal view about 1.5 times wider than long and about 1.5 times wider than the petiole.

Mandibles mostly smooth. Dorsum of the head regularly areolate, each pubescence-bearing areola finely sculptured. Dorsum of promesonotum similarly, but less regularly areolate; posteriorly and laterally the alitrunk becomes finely reticulate-punctate.

Petiole and postpetiole shagreened on the dorsum, the petiole laterally finely reticulate-punctate. Gaster smooth with a very superficial sculpture near the base and regular pubescence-bearing punctulation.

Erect hairs present only on the anterior clypeal margin and at the tip of the gaster. Appressed pubescence well developed on head, gaster and appendages, less abundant on the alitrunk. On the gaster, the pubescent hairs are about as distant from one another as their length or less.

Colour testaceous with a brown gaster. Antennal club slightly infuscated.

Paratypes. TL 1.6-1.7, HL 0.42-0.43, HW 0.31-0.33, C1 74-78, SL 0.26-0.27, S1 81-84, PW 0.21-0.24, AL 0.43-0.47 (9 measured).

Very consistent with the holotype in size, measurements, sculpture and colour. Minor variations occur in the shape of the propodeal spines, concavity of the edge of the anterior clypeal lobe. The metanotal groove is sometimes fainter in profile.

Type Material
Holotype worker: NIGERIA: Ibadan, UTA xi-1987 (J. Noyes). Paratypes: 9 workers with the same data as the holotype. BMNH

Etymology
A noun in apposition: it is the name of the main human population living in SW Nigeria.