Simopone brunnea

One set of the few collections of this species was found in coastal lowland rainforest, in the forest margin adjacent to a river.

Identification
Key to Afrotropical Simopone Species

A member of the schoutedeni species group

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon.

Nomenclature

 *  brunnea. Simopone brunnea Bolton & Fisher, 2012: 20, figs. 4-6 (w.) GABON.

Worker
Holotype. HL 0.74, HW 0.46, SL 0.22, EL 0.24, PW 0.34, AIIW 0.34, AIIL 0.36, AIIIW 0.41, AIIIL 0.44, WL 0.86, MFL 0.35, CI 62, SI 48, EL/HW 0.52, EP 0.79, AIIW/AIIL 0.94, AIIIW/AIIIL 0.93.

With head in full-face view the midpoints of the outer margins of the eyes do not interrupt the outlines of the sides of the head. ES 0.20 and minimum distance between eyes 0.18. Frontal lobes raised away from level of clypeus. Frontal carinae extend back to level of anterior margins of eyes and are weakly divergent posteriorly. Cephalic dorsum mostly glossy, with scattered broad, shallow punctures and vestiges of weak longitudinal ground sculpture between the eyes. Leading edge of scape with a few setae, inclined toward the scape apex. Sides of head below and behind eyes with very few, short, inconspicuous projecting setae, inclined anteriorly. Cephalic dorsum with a pair of longer setae close to level of posterior margins of eyes and with a few shorter, curved setae near the posterior margin (some abrasion may have occurred). Mesosoma in dorsal view narrowest across the mesonotum (maximum width 0.34), broadest across the propodeum (maximum width 0.36). Anterior margin of pronotum with a weak transverse carina; promesonotal suture only feebly marked. Propodeum with a fine weak carina between dorsum and declivity. Entire dorsum of mesosoma with widely scattered broad, shallow punctures. Mesopleuron almost smooth, with just 1–2 punctures and a distinct transverse sulcus. In profile, dorsal surfaces of mesosoma and all abdominal tergites with short, posteriorly curved setae that are subdecumbent to decumbent. Middle and hind tibiae with 1–2 standing setae. AII (petiole) in dorsal view with a weak transverse carina both anteriorly and posteriorly; sides of AII extremely feebly convex, almost straight, and very weakly divergent posteriorly so that the width across the anterior margin is slightly less than across the posterior margin. Dorsum of AII with very sparse, minute punctures only. On tergite of AIII the punctures are also minute and very widely spaced, so that the distances between them are much greater then their diameters. AII fractionally longer than broad, AIII longer than broad, AIV slightly broader than long. Head capsule and entire body glossy dark brown; antennae and legs somewhat lighter.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Gabon: Prov. Ogoové-Maritime, Rés. Monts Doudou, 24.3 km 307° NW Doussala, 350 m., 6–7.iii.2000, Malaise trap, GA00M38, coastal lowland rainforest, forest margin along river, CASENT0004504 (S. van Noort).