Aenictus schneirlai

The (type) colony was found in rather open, somewhat disturbed lowland rain forest, bivouacked in the soil on the top of a low ridge. The bivouac cavities apparently had a single small entrance hole, and there was no evidence of recent excavation. The brood consisted entirely of pupae and packets of eggs. Hence, I interpret it as having been in the statary phase. When discovered, during the afternoon, there were no foraging columns leading from the nest. (Wilson 1964)

Identification
A member of the ceylonicus group.

Key to Aenictus species groups

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: New Guinea.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.



Nomenclature

 * . Aenictus schneirlai Wilson, 1964a: 479, figs. 49, 50 (w.) NEW GUINEA (Papua New Guinea).
 * Type-material: holotype worker, 8 paratype workers.
 * Type-locality: holotype Papua New Guinea: Bubia, 13 km. NW Lae, 1955, no. 1079 (E.O. Wilson); paratypes with same data.
 * Type-depository: MCZC.
 * Status as species: Bolton, 1995b: 60.
 * Distribution: Papua New Guinea.

Worker
Holotype: HW 0.63mm, HL 0.67mm, SL 0.56mm. Antenna 10-segmented. Mandible falciform, 3-toothed; in closure its posterior border separated from anterior clypeal border by a gap about 2 x as wide as maximum width of scape. Clypeus convex, deeply emarginate, and unarmed. Parafrontal ridge absent. Occiput convex, lacking a distinct collar. Basal face of propodeum evenly and gently convex. Propodeal junction acutely (80°) angulate. Subpetiolar process distinctive, consisting of a downward projecting lobe with a secondary anterior tooth and surmounted ventrally by a thin, tooth-like flange which is directed downward. Pilosity abundant; length of longest pronotal hairs 0.25 mm.

Head and mesosoma entirely microreticulate (reticular diameters about 0.01 mm) and subopaque. In addition mesopleuron, metapleuron, and propodeum bear about 16 longitudinal rugae. Pedicel microreticulate and opaque, except for postpetiolar dorsum, which is nearly smooth and feebly shining. Head, mesosoma, and pedicel rich medium reddish brown; gaster and appendages a contrasting light reddish brown.

Paratypes: Worker chosen at random: HW 0.68 mm, HL 0.69 mm, SL 0.60 mm. HW of remaining seven paratypes 0.62-0.68 mm. This series shows little variation in any character.

Type Material
Type locality: Bubia, 13 km NW of Lae, NE New Guinea (Wilson).

Etymology
This species is named after Dr T. C. Schneirla, the leading student of doryline biology.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Borowiec M. L. 2016. Generic revision of the ant subfamily Dorylinae (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). ZooKeys 608: 1–280.
 * Janda M., G. D. Alpert, M. L. Borowiec, E. P. Economo, P. Klimes, E. Sarnat, and S. O. Shattuck. 2011. Cheklist of ants described and recorded from New Guinea and associated islands. Available on http://www.newguineants.org/. Accessed on 24th Feb. 2011.
 * Wilson E. O. 1964. The true army ants of the Indo-Australian area (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Dorylinae). Pacific Insects 6: 427-483.