Cataulacus inermis

Nothing is known about the biology of Cataulacus inermis.

Identification
A member of the huberi group. The structure and sculpturation of the pedicel ally this species very closely with Cataulacus lobatus, from which it is separable by its lack of propodeal spines and presence of transverse sculpturation upon the propodeal dorsum. In lobatus propodeal spines are present and the sculpturation of the dorsum of the segment is longitudinal where developed. (Bolton 1974)

Key to Afrotropical Cataulacus Species

Distribution
Known from Democratic Republic of Congo amd Gabon.

This taxon was described from Democratic Republic of Congo.

Nomenclature

 *  inermis. Cataulacus inermis Santschi, 1924b: 218, fig. 10 (w.) DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO. See also: Bolton, 1974a: 21.

Worker
Bolton (1974) - TL 6.1, HL 1.50, HW 1.74, CI 1l6, EL 0.50, OI 29, IOD 1.42, SL 0.84, SI 48, PW 1.60, AL 1.82, MTL 1.00.

Occipital crest not developed medially, the vertex separated from the occiput by a sharp angle. Occipital corners forming a blunt right-angle, without a tooth or denticle. Sides of head behind eyes not denticulate. Pronotum strongly marginate laterally, the margins expanded and quite regular, not denticulate. Remainder of alitrunk not marginate not denticulate, the propodeum without spines or teeth posterodorsally, the dorsum curving without interruption inio the declivity. Petiole more or less flat dorsally; the postpetiole divided into two lobes dorsally by a median longitudinal impression. First gastral tergite marginate basally and laterally to the level of the spiracle, behind which the margination peters out.

Dorsal surfaces of head and alitrunk very finely and densely reticulate-punctate. On the head there is some faint rugoreticulation, best developed behind the eyes. Pronotum and mesonotum with sparse, scattered, very faint and predominantly longitudinal rugulae. Propodeal dorsum and declivity distinctly and regularly transversely rugulose. Dorsum of petiole and anterior face of postpetiole strongly, rather coarsely longitudinally sulcate. First gastral tergite finely and very densely reticulate-punctate with a scattered rugoreticulum.

Erect hairs absent from alitrunk and from dorsum of head except for a row running between the eyes and the occipital corners and some upon the frontal carinae. Petiole and postpetiole with sparse, very stout hairs; first gastral tergite without hairs except for a few at the apex.

Type Material
Bolton (1974) - Holotype worker, ZAIRE: Kasai, Ngombe, 5.xi.1921 (H. Schouteden) (MRAC, Tervuren) [examined].