Aenictus fergusoni

Identification
A member of the laeviceps species group.

Key to Aenictus species groups

Distribution
India, from the extreme south north to Darjeeling and Assam, thence SE to Burma and Java. This species is also most unusual in that it has been recorded from Great Nicobar I., which is over 160 km from the nearest large land mass (Sumatra).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nicobar Island, Thailand, Vietnam. Palaearctic Region: China.

Nomenclature

 *  fergusoni. Aenictus fergusoni Forel, 1901a: 473 (w.) INDIA. Senior synonym of  karawaiewi, montanus, piltzi: Wilson, 1964a: 462.
 * hodgsoni. Aenictus fergusoni var. hodgsoni Forel, 1901a: 474 (w.) MYANMAR. Junior synonym of fergusoni: Wilson, 1964a: 462.
 * montanus. Aenictus fergusoni var. montanus Forel, 1901a: 474 (w.) INDIA. Junior synonym of fergusoni: Wilson, 1964a: 462.
 * piltzi. Aenictus fergusoni var. piltzi Forel, 1901a: 474 (w.) INDIA. Junior synonym of fergusoni: Wilson, 1964a: 462.
 * karawaiewi. Aenictus fergusoni var. karawaiewi Wheeler, W.M. & Chapman, in Wheeler, W.M. 1930g: 199 (diagnosis in key) (w.) no locality given. Junior synonym of fergusoni: Wilson, 1964a: 462.

Worker
Wilson (1964) - Syntypes: HW 0.67 mm, HL 0.76 mm, SL 0.72 mm; other HW's in this series 0.63-0.72 mm. Antenna 10-segmented. Mandibles typical. Clypeus feebly convex, entire, armed with about 12 teeth. Parafrontal ridge very short, only 0.08 mm. Occiput convex, lacking distinct collar. Propodeal junction approximately right-angulate. Subpetiolar process a rounded lobe surmounted by a thin, downward-projecting flange. Pilosity moderately abundant, long; length of longest pronotal hairs 0.25 mm.

Head shining. Pronotum shining; remainder of mesosoma microreticulate and opaque, with traces of a few longitudinal rugae. Pedicel wholly shining except for the shagreened and subopaque peduncles. Head bearing yellow "Typhlatta spots"; otherwise head and mesosoma dark reddish brown. Pedicel and gaster somewhat lighter, medium reddish brown.

Type Material
Type locality: Tranvancore, India