Acanthomyrmex notabilis

The ants nest in cavities within logs in primary rainforests. Nests typically contain stores of fig seeds and other tiny seeds (Moffett, 1985).

Identification
Moffett (1986) - Postpetiole of both worker castes narrow, much wider than deep in dorsal view; propodeal spines long; minors with head convex across posterior margin in dorsal view (except for very feeble medial concavity), without funicular scrobe, and with ventral mandible tooth lacking. Minor. Syntype measures HW 1.01, HL

Minor specimens from a Seram collection tending to be somewhat smaller than those from Sulawesi (HW averaging [X ± se] 1.13 ± 0.04 mm, versus 1.02 ± 0.04 mm for the Sulawesi minors; samples of 36 and 7 minors, respectively).

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

Nomenclature

 *  notabilis. Pheidole notabilis Smith, F. 1860b: 111, pl. 1, figs. 3, 4 (s.w.) INDONESIA (Batjan I.). Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1983: 606 (l.). Combination in Acanthomyrmex: Emery, 1893a: cclxxvi. See also: Moffett, 1985a: 165; Moffett, 1986c: 86.

Description
Moffett (1986) - Spines on trunk long, somewhat curved caudad (straighter in most specimens from other series); propodeal spines slightly longer than those on pronotum. Pronotal spines without conspicuous hairs. Pronotal angle forming a feeble but distinct tooth in most specimens, but not in holotype. Propodeal declivity bordered on each side by two adjacent rugae, as described for Acanthomyrmex basispinosus (luciolae group).

Node of petiole as in figure, PWI narrow to intermediate (79 in syntype, and 47 to 89 in eight specimens from other series). Anterior peduncle of petiole relatively short and deep, and lacking both lateral and sublateral petiolar hairs; subpetiolar declivity absent. Postpetiole narrow (almost twice as wide as it is long in dorsal view) and with a relatively raised node, and resembling that of A. basispinosus, although with only two pairs of hairs dorsally. Femora lacking all but basal hairs; ventral surfaces distinctly concave, particularly in the hind legs. Reddish orange to orange yellow, legs lighter.

Major. Syntype measures HW 2.25, HL 2.30 (CI 98), SL 1.11 (SI 49), EL 0.25, HFL 1.23 (FLI 54; FWI 20) mm. Relatively large, shallow foveae on head widely scattered dorsally (virtually lacking in area immediately above clypeus), denser laterally. Cephalic hollow present but indistinct. A darkly pigmented streak extends to hollow from dorsum of head; wide medial sulcus conspicuous from hollow to frontal area. Clypeal index larger than in minors, 138 in holotype. Forward margin of clypeus lacking a medial projection although two very feeble, rounded lobes are sometimes present). Hypostomal teeth not accessible to view in holotype; usually present in other material. Propodeal spines moderately long and almost straight (generally not quite as long and usually curving somewhat caudad in other notabilis material). Pronotal angle lacking the feeble tooth characteristic of the minor caste. Anterior node of petiole generally deeper than in minors.

Type Material
Pheidole notabilis One syntype worker major and one syntype worker minor in. Labelled “Bac. 50.”