Cataulacus nenassus

Apart from the fact that the species inhabits teak forests nothing is known about its biology.

Identification
This species is very closely related to Cataulacus setosus but may immediately be separated from it by the nature of the gastral sculpture in both worker and female. Also, in the Cataulacus nenassus worker the alitrunk is proportionately narrower and longer (width to length ratio 1 to 1.3 or 1.4) than in setosus which has a width to length ratio of about 1 to 1.1. The head is also narrower, the range of cephalic indices recorded in the type-series being 100 - 105 as compared to a range of 109 - 111 in setosus workers. (Bolton 1974)

Distribution
This taxon was described, and is only known, from Indonesia (Java).

Nomenclature

 *  nenassus. Cataulacus nenassus Bolton, 1974a: 70, fig. 41 (w.q.m.) INDONESIA (Java).

Worker
Holotype. TL 4.8, HL 1.16, HW 1.18, CI 101, EL 0.42, OI 35, IOD 0.90, SL 0.62, SI 53, PW 0.94, AL 1.30, MTL 0.61.

Occipital crest complete, shallowly concave in full-face view and denticulate throughout its length, the lateral denticles larger than those situated more mesad. Sides of head behind eyes denticulate, terminating in a small tooth at the occipital corners. Pronotal margins with four or five relatively large denticles and one or two smaller; mesonotal margins with two denticles, the sides of the propodeum and outer margins of the spines with numerous small or minute dentic1es. Propodeal spines long and strong, divergent, relatively close set basally. Petiole in profile with the anterior face steeply sloping, the dorsal and posterior faces continuous. First gastral tergite not marginate but with a few small denticles laterally towards the base.

Dorsum of head reticulate-rugose, the interspaces dully shining, finely and densely but shallowly reticulate-punctate. Dorsal alitrunk similarly sculptured but with the rather flattened longitudinal rugae tending to predominate. Propodeal declivity with a few faint, transverse rugae. Nodes of petiole and postpetiole similarly but rather more coarsely sculptured than the alitrunk, the points of intersection of the rugae raised into peaks (best seen in profile). First gastral tergite finely reticulate-punctate, with a fine but distinct, predominantly longitudinal rugulation covering the entire surface of the sclerite.

Short, erect, blunt hairs numerous upon all dorsal surfaces of the head and body, and also upon the appendages.

Paratype. TL 4.8 – 5.1, HL 1.16 – 1.20, HW 1.20 – 1.22, CI 100 - 105, EL 0.40 – 0.42, OI 32 - 35, IOD 0.90 – 0.92, SL 0.58 – 0.64, SI 48 - 53, PW 0.98 – 1.00, AL 1.30 – 1.36, MTL 0.60 – 0.66 (6 measured).

As holotype but with the number of large denticles on the pronotal margins variable, with a maximum of seven in the specimens available.

Queen
Paratype. TL 5.8 – 6.2, HL 1.24 – 1.30, HW 1.24 – 1.30, CI 100, EL 0.44 – 0.46, OI 34 - 35, IOD 0.96 – 1.00, SL ca 0.68, SI 52 - 53, PW 1.10 – 1.19, AL 1.68 – 1.78, MTL 0.68 – 0.70 (5 measured).

As worker but with denticulation of occipital crest and sides of head behind eyes reduced. Sides of pronotum with four or five weak denticles; sides of propodeum irregular but not markedly denticulate. Propodeal spines shorter but distinct. Sculpturation of head, pronotum, pedicel and gaster similar to but rather more coarse than in the worker. Mesoscutum strongly longitudinally rugose, as is the propodeum. Scutellum similar but with some distinct crossmeshes, and without a transverse groove dividing it into anterior and posterior portions.

Male
Paratype. TL ca 5.2, HL 1.00 – 1.04, HW 1.02 – 1.10, CI 102 - 106, EL 0.40 – 0.42, OI 38 - 39, IOD 0.80 – 0.84, SL 0.62 – 0.64, SI 56 - 58, PW 0.92 – 0.98, AL 1.56 -1.64 (2 measured). Occipital crest complete and denticulate; sides of head behind eyes denticulate, terminating in a short, triangular tooth at the occipital corners. Sides of pronotum strongly marginate and denticulate. Sides of propodeum unarmed, the spines short but distinct. Anterior arms of notauli well developed and cross-ribbed, the posterior arm broad and shallowly demarcated. Head longitudinally rugose with a few cross-meshes, the rugae in one specimen tending to arch posteriorly and become transverse behind the ocelli. Pronotum sharply reticulate-rugose with punctate interspaces, as are the scutellum and propodeal dorsum, but the scutum is predominantly longitudinally rugose. Gaster very finely and faintly reticulate-punctate with numerous fine basigastric costulae, and some extremely fine longitudinal rugulae on the lateral portions of the tergite. All dorsal surfaces of head, body and appendages with numerous hairs.

Type Material
Holotype worker, JAVA: Semarang, no. g45, 7.ii.I928 (L. G. E. Kalshoven) (MCZ, Boston).

Paratypes. 9 workers, same data as above; one pin, bearing three specimens, has a second label which repeats the data of the first and adds 'Teak Forest' (BMNH; MCZ, Boston; USNM, Washington). 6 alate females, same data as holotype (MCZ, Boston; BMNH). 1 alate female, 'Java zee', 11.ix.1920 (Kl. Kombuis) (MCZ, Boston). 2 males, same data as holotype (MCZ, Boston; BMNH).

Additional References

 * [[Media:Bolton 1974a.pdf|Bolton, B. 1974a. A revision of the Palaeotropical arboreal ant genus Cataulacus F. Smith (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Bull. Br. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) Entomol. 30: 1-105 PDF]]