Nesomyrmex ezantsi

The three type specimens were collected from pitfall traps in ‘Lambert’s Bay Strandveld’ (Mucina & Rutherford 2006) vegetation.

Identification
Mbanyana and Robertson (2008) - A member of the simoni species-group. Nesomyrmex ezantsi is similar in appearance to Nesomyrmex koebergensis, Nesomyrmex njengelanga and Nesomyrmex inye. They share the following characteristics: petiolar node with rounded posterodorsal angle and anterodorsal angle either angulate or rounded; dorsum convex and not clearly defined. Dorsum of head with reticulate sculpture, sometimes overlaid by longitudinal rugulae. N. ezantsi is separated from N. njengelanga and N. inye by the propodeum which is armed with a pair of short triangular teeth (angulate in the latter two species with no clearly defined pair of short spines), and by being larger (HW 0.598–0.625 versus 0.507–0.559). N. ezantsi is distinguished from N. koebergensis by the pale colour (light brown in N. koebergensis) and the dorsum of head which is predominantly smooth, with fine reticulate ground sculpture (reticulate and overlaid by longitudinal rugulae in N. koebergensis).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: South Africa.

Nomenclature

 *  ezantsi. Nesomyrmex ezantsi Mbanyana & Robertson, 2008: 43, figs. 4m-o (w.) SOUTH AFRICA.

Worker
Holotype. HL 0.755, HW 0.598, HW1 0.659, CI 79, SL 0.569, SI 95, PW 0.423, ML 0.875, EL 0.226, EI 38.

Mandibles with fine longitudinal striations. Clypeus predominantly smooth, with a striation medially and bordered by longitudinal striations. Anterior clypeal margin convex. Scapes of moderate length (SI 90). Eyes with 14 ommatidia in the longest row. Promesonotum in profile evenly convex and metanotal groove conspicuously impressed. Propodeum armed with a pair short triangular teeth.

Metapleural lobes low and rounded. Anterior peduncle short and thick, with a tooth-like subpetiolar process. Petiolar node in profile with an angulate anterodorsal angle and a rounded posterodorsal angle; dorsum convex and not clearly defined. Postpetiole low and rounded. Head dorsum with a reticulate pattern and faint striations medially. Promesonotal dorsum with reticulate sculpture and fine longitudinal striations anteriorly. Propodeal dorsum reticulate with a few transverse striations and both nodes also reticulate. First gastral tergite smooth with a ring of short basal costulae. Dorsum of head with four longitudinal lines of fine acute hairs running between the eyes. The venter of head with two curved hairs and three straight hairs; pubescence present. Promesonotal dorsum with at least 10 erect hairs, acute apically. Propodeal dorsum with three erect hairs. Petiolar node with three pairs of hairs and postpetiole with four pairs of hairs. Gastral tergite and sternite with regularly spaced suberect hairs. Colour uniformly yellow.

Paratypes. HL 0.767–0.806, HW 0.598–0.610, HW1 0.664–0.686, CI 76–78, SL 0.561–0.570, SI 94, PW 0.425–0.462, ML 0.875–0.944, EL 0.226–0.236, EI 38–39 (2 of 2 measured).

Same as the holotype, except number of hairs on the propodeum range from three to four and on the petiolar node range from three to four.

Type Material
Holotype: South Africa: Western Cape: Lambert’s Bay, Strandveld, 32°10’51”S 18°18’59”E, 07 October 2002, A. Botes, CKOct02-LMB-1.3.10, SAM-HYM-C019383. Paratypes: South Africa: Western Cape: Lambert’s Bay, Strandveld, 32°10’47”S 18°18’55”E, 07 October 2002, A. Botes, CKOct02-LMB-1.2.10, SAM-HYM-C019384; Lambert’s Bay, Strandveld, 32°10’51”S 18°18’59”E, CKMar03-LMB-1.3.7, 03 March 2003, A. Botes, SAM-HYM-C019386.

Etymology
In isi-Xhosa, ezantsi means ‘below’ and is used here to refer to the fact that this species was collected on the coastal plain, in low-lying areas.