Anochetus incultus

The type material was collected from leaf litter samples.

Identification
Brown (1978) - Similar to Anochetus risii, but smaller and darker: deep reddish-brown, with mandibles, antennae, legs, cheeks and gastric apex lighter, more yellowish. See the description below for further distinctive characteristics and Zettel (2012) for a key to Philippine Anochetus.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Borneo, Philippines.

Castes
Males are unknown for this species.

Nomenclature

 *  incultus. Anochetus incultus Brown, 1978c: 578, fig. 37 (w.q.) PHILIPPINES.

Worker
holotype: TL 5.2, HL 1.20, HW 1.07, ML 0.81, WL 1.66, scape L 1.08, eye L 0.17 mm; CI 89, MI 68.

Similar to Anochetus risii, but smaller and darker: deep reddish-brown, with mandibles, antennae, legs, cheeks and gastric apex lighter, more yellowish. Also the following differences:

1. Eyes smaller; EL/HL 0.14-0.16, vs. 0.17-0.20 in risii. Ocular prominences strongly projecting laterad.

2. Mandibles long, but not quite as long relatively as in risii, which has MI 72-77 in the few samples examined. Denticles on mesal ventral margins of mandibles small and blunt, ordinarily hidden beneath edentate dorsal margin when head is viewed full-face.

3. Pronotal disc behind anterior transverse costulation is shining but thickly covered discad with fairly coarse, vermiculate, predominantly longitudinal rugulae or costulae. Sides of pronotum obliquely to vertically rugulo-striate more finely, except for a variable lower posterior section that tends to be smooth and shining (Pronotal sculpture not shown in fig. 37). Mesonotum vaguely transversely rugulose, but longitudinally costulate behind, continuing into metanotal saddle (fig. 37), Mesopleura smooth and shining, except for striate posterior end.

4. Petiolar node in side view tapering evenly to a narrowly rounded summit (fig. 37); convex-sided in front view, then tapering to a rounded summit. Petiole with a longer anterior pedunculate section than in risii. Node (and gaster) smooth and shining.

5. Funicular antennomeres shorter than in risii; II through IV only about twice as long as broad, or slightly less (in risii L 2-3 times breadth for the same antennomeres).

6. Erect pilosity somewhat less abundant and shorter than in risii. Pubescence nearly obsolete except on appendages.

Worker paratypes (4): TL 4.9-5.2, HL 1.13-1.22, HW 1.01-1.09, ML 0.78-0.82, WL 1.53-1.70, scape L 1.01-1.09, eye L 0.16-0.20 mm; CI 89, MI 67-69.

Intercalary tooth of mandibular apex (on ventral apical tooth) may be missing or nearly so, apparently due to wear or breakage; fine and acute in one young specimen. Pronotal sculpture variable in orientation on pronotum; in one worker the rugulae form a transverse band across the posterior end of the disc.

Queen
dealate: TL 5.6, HL 1.24, HW 1.16, ML 0.82, WL 1.76, scape L 1.09, eye L 0.27 mm; CI 93, MI 66. Pronotum shining, transversely rugose or costate. Mesonotum smooth and shining. Frontal striation weak, fine, confined to space just inside frontal carinae; this striation more delicate in both worker and queen than in risii of corresponding castes. Petiolar node slightly thinner in side view than in workers; i.e., it is axially compressed, with anterior and posterior surfaces converging very gradually. Gaster larger than in worker.

Type Material
Holotype and 4 paratype workers (MCZC, ), plus one dealate queen, all labeled as from Mt. Makiling, near Los Baños, Laguna Prov., Luzon, Philippines. A single paratype was collected (date not recorded) by F. X. Williams; the remainder of the specimens, including the holotype, came from two samples of leaf litter collected near the summit of the mountain in February and March 1968, run through the Berlese funnel by R. A. Morse.

Additional References

 * General, D. and G. Alpert. 2012. A synoptic review of the ant genera (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of the Philippines. ZooKeys. 200:1-111 doi: 10.3897/zookeys.200.2447.


 * Zettel, H. 2012. New trap-jaw ant species of Anochetus MAYR, 1861 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from the Philippine Islands, a key and notes on other species. Myrmecological News 16: 157-167.