Anochetus cryptus

This species seems to be rare in the Shivalik range of Northwest Himalaya and was collected from dry non-forested areas of the region. This is a hypogaeic species and was found mainly under large stones.

Identification
Bharti & Wachkoo (2013) - Anochetus cryptus, most resembles Anochetus evansi, but can be easily separated from it by dentate ventral margin of medial edge of mandible; strongly sculptured propodeum which in profile does not form a regular convexity with metanotum, whilst in the latter inner margin of medial edge of mandible is edentate; sculpture is feebler; metanotum forms a regular convexity with propodeum. Morphometrically, Anochetus evansi is relatively larger with HL 1.16; HW 1.03; EL: 0.12; ML: 0.59; SL: 0.89 and WL: 1.45. However, Anochetus schoedli also characterized by the absence of propodeal teeth or lobes and placed in the longifossatus group can be easily separated from Anochetus cryptus by striation of head extending barely past frontal carina, whereas in Anochetus schoedli striation reaches all the way to nuchal carina.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India.

Nomenclature

 * . Anochetus cryptus Bharti & Wachkoo, 2013a: 138, figs 1-6 (w.q.) INDIA (Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh).
 * Type-material: holotype worker, 8 paratype workers, 1 paratype queen.
 * Type-locality: holotype India: Jammu & Kashmir, Manda, 32.7496°N, 74.8673°E, 500 m., 15.vii.2009, soil core (A.A. Wachkoo); paratypes: 3 workers, 1 queen with same data, 2 workers Himachal Pradesh, Chenaur, 31.9067°N, 76.1428°E, 600 m., 5.vi.2009 (A.A. Wachkoo), 1 worker Jammu & Kashmir, Surinsar, 32.7009°N, 75.1512°E, 700 m., 1.viii.2010, soil core (A.A. Wachkoo), 2 worker Jammu & Kashmir, Billawar, 32.6141°N, 75.6054°E, 840 m., 6.viii.2010, hand picking (A.A. Wachkoo).
 * Type-depository: PUAC.
 * Distribution: India.

Worker
HL: 0.91–1.12; HW: 0.80–0.97; EL: 0.06–0.07; MdL: 0.45–0.54; SL: 0.69–0.84; PnW: 0.42–0.51; MsL: 1.04–1.24; PtW: 0.24–0.26; PtL: 0.23–0.28; PtH: 0.30–0.34; TL: 3.70–4.65. Indices:CI: 87.91–93.27; SI: 84.68–86.60; MdI: 48.21–51.92 (n=12).

Head. Eyes with 3–4 ommatidia across greatest diameter, filling less than half the length of the orbital fossae. Scape slightly curved, barely reaching the posterior margin of occipital lobe. Mandible slender, broadened in distal half; medial edge with 2 nearly straight margins extending to semicircular preapical excision; ventral margin dentate; with head in “full-face” view and mandibles closed, denticles invisible dorsally; apical triad of teeth variable in shape from sharply pointed to blunt.

Mesosoma. Slender, with well-marked promesonotal and effaced mesometanotal suture; pronotum rounded above, anterior border of pronotal dorsum marginate; mesonotal disc convex, wider than long; propodeal dorsum triangular, depressed transversely behind metanotal spiracle, anteriorly narrow; in profile sloping behind into an oblique declivity. Propodeal angles divergent and bluntly rounded. Petiole. Petiolar node in lateral view, thin and tapered apically. In anterior view petiole with round summit; lateral margins nearly parallel and straight.

Gaster. Cylindrical; weakly constricted between first two segments; base of cintus of second gastral tergite with cross ribs.

Sculpture. Head punctulate, smooth and shiny except frontal striation; striae fine but distinct, fanning out posterolaterally, barely extending to middle of head dorsum, laterally entering antennal socket but not exceeding posterior and lateral margins of head; 2–4 rugae present anteriorly in antennal sockets. Pronotum mostly smooth and shiny; cervix distinctly transversely striate with irregular ruga; anterior border of pronotal dorsum with few fine striae arched in parallel to margin; pronotum laterally smooth and shiny and patchily rugose; promesonotal suture cross ribbed. Mesonotal disc shiny. Dorsum of propodeum and declivity rugo-striate and/or vermiculate. Mesopleuron and metapleuron smooth and shiny; ventral extremity of metapleuronwith fewoblique rugae. Gaster smooth and shiny, sparsely punctulate. Mandibles and antennae punctulate, punctures denser on latter. Two of the specimens collected from Chanaur are comparatively smaller, less shiny and more sculptured. Mesosoma is entirely opaque and rugo-vermiculate except shiny pronotum and katepisternum.

Vestiture. Pilosity short and moderate overall, sub-decumbent on head and suberect on remainder, obsolescent on lateral mesosoma. Appendages covered by dense appressed to decumbent pubescence.

Color. Living individuals yellow with orange tint. Dry specimens brownish yellow; gaster with brownish shading; epistoma and tip of mandible brown.

Queen
HL: 1.13; HW: 1.05; EL: 0.18; MdL: 0.54; SL: 0.85; PnW: 0.68; MsL: 1.36; PtW: 0.30; PtL: 0.33; PtH: 0.42; TL: 4.86. Indices: CI: 92.92; SI: 80.95; MdI: 47.78; (n=1).

As in worker, with modifications expected for this caste and the following differences: eyes with 10 ommatidia across greatest diameter; in front view dorsal margin of petiole concave. Propodeum obliquely striate; propodeal angles reduced; color darker than in corresponding workers.

Etymology
The species epithet is Latin for cryptic, in reference to its cryptobiotic habitat.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bharti H., and A. A. Wachkoo. 2013. Two new species of trap jaw ant Anochetus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), with a key to known species from India. Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology 16: 137142.