Eurhopalothrix jennya

The type samples were collected from lowland rainforest leaf-litter samples.

Identification
Key to Old World Basicerotini

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

Nomenclature

 *  jennya. Eurhopalothrix jennya Taylor, 1990b: 413, figs. 16-18, 48 (w.q.) BORNEO.

Worker
General features as illustrated. All Class A attributes present, with those of Class B, unless otherwise indicated. Dimensions (mm): HL 0.57; HW 0.61; CI 106; ML 0.16; MI 28; SL 0.33; SI 54; PW 0.37; WL 0.66. The Kampong Segu paratypes have HW 0.59- 0.63, and those for Gunong Mulu 0.58-0.63. Eyes minute, with 4 to 6 facets. Occipital border broadly, distinctly, but relatively shallowly emarginate. Petiolar node in dorsal view essentially square, its length and breadth subequal.

Specialised enlarged hairs well differentiated from those of the ground pilosity. Each clavate, expanded to about its height. Distributed (when complement is complete) as follows: 3 pairs on frons, where the hairs are well dispersed; 4 frame a large transverse, posteromedian rectangle (the posterior pair dividing the occipital border approximately into thirds), with one on each side immediately behind the eye. In effect the head has 2 transverse rows, the anterior of 4 hairs, the posterior of 2, with the latter each aligned longitudinally with one of the median anterior hairs. Promesonotum with an erect dorsolateral hair on each side, at about its mid length (one or both of these hairs is frequently missing from specimens). One pair (posterolateral) on petiolar node (missing from holotype), and 6 on dorsal surface of first gastral tergite, arranged in 2 longitudinal rows of 3 [one K. Segu paratype has a 4th hair (? supernumerary) on one side]. None of the type workers has posterolateral erect hairs on the postpetiole, similar to those of the queen (see below). Slight impressions in the appropriate positions imply that these have been present, but were lost in all specimens examined. The equivalent postpetiolar hairs in other species seem to be more deciduous than those in other positions. Ground pilosity of minute scattered hairs is moderately dense on all dorsal body surfaces, scapes and legs.

Queen
General features as in the worker, with the usual differences of full alate sexuality. Specialised hairs of head and petiole as in worker. Additional such hairs on the 2 available specimens (apart from those at the gastral apex) as follows: 1 pair at posteromedian border of pronotum; 2 pairs (relatively short and slender) in 2 longitudinal rows on disc of scutum; 2 pairs placed respectively laterally and posterolaterally on margin of scutum; a pair laterally on scutellum; and a posterolateral pair on postpetiole. Twelve hairs are scattered on the first gastral tergum, loosely arranged in 4 longitudinal rows.

Type Material
Type Locality: Malaysia: Sarawak: First Division: Kampong Segu, 20 miles S.W. of Kuching (01°33'N., 110°20'E.). Paratypes: Malaysia: Sarawak: Forest Division: Kampong Segu, holotype, I5 para type workers, 2 paratype queens (RWT accs 68.289, 291, 292, 4.vi.1968); Fourth Division: Cunong Mulu National Park, near Marudi (04°15'N., 114°19'E.), 21 paratype workers (P. Hammond, J. E. Marshall, v-viii.1978); (Long Palau), 4 paratype workers (B. Bolton, 2.ix.1977). All samples from lowland rainforest, usually from leaf litter berlesates. Holotype and most paratypes in (type No. 7779); holotype gold-palladium coated for SEM study. Paratypes in, , , MKUB, MKUC.

Etymology
Named for my friend Jenny Rothschild, formerly of Semengoh Research Station, near Kuching, Sarawak. The name should be considered a noun in apposition.