Aenictus indicus

Only known from a few collections. A single specimen was collected in a leaf litter sample in the High Wavy Mountains of southern Western Ghats. This species appears to be uncommon in Western Ghats, which is considered as one of the global biodiversity hot spots.

Identification
Bharti et al. (2012) - This is an intriguing species as it possesses a ridge between the mesonotum and mesopleuron, a character shared only by three Phillipine Aenictus species. However, it can be easily separated from Aenictus pangantihoni and Aenictus rabori by a microrecticulate head capsule but is closer to Aenictus philippinensis, from which it can be distinguished by a combination of characters. Aenictus philippinensis has a rounded clypeus, 0.28 mm long parafrontal ridge, convex basal face of propodeum, and straight occiput lacking a collar, whereas Aenictus indicus has an angularly produced clypeus in the middle, 0.22 mm long parafrontal ridge, straight basal face of propodeum and occiput with a well demarcated collar. The metanotal impression is strongly developed in the former, whereas only a low impression is present in the latter providing a different appearance between the two.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  indicus. Aenictus indicus Bharti, Wachkoo & Kumar, 2012: 292, figs. 1-4 (w.) INDIA.

Worker
TL 4.52; HL 0.92; HW 0.84; SL 0.67; WL 1.33; PL1 0.35; PL2 0.38; GL 1.54. Indices: CI 91.30; SI 79.76 (n=1).

Head. Head longer than broad, with convex sides; seen in full face view its posterior margin weakly convex; occiput with a well demarcated collar. Parafrontal ridge indistinct, about 0.22 mm long; vertex with a longitudinal impression. Antenna 10 segmented; scape reaching up to 4/5 the posterior margin of the head. Clypeus angularly produced in middle; mandible broad, triangular with large apical tooth, followed by eight irregular, indistinct denticles.

Mesosoma. Mesosoma constricted at the metanotal groove; promesonotum in profile distinctly convex; propodeum lower than promesonotum, its dorsal outline straight. Mesonotum demarcated from the mesopleuron by a conspicuous ridge; metanotal impression distinct. Propodeal junction bounded by a rim, meets at right angle.

Petiole, Postpetiole. Both rounded above; petiole anteriorly margined by a transverse carina, as long as postpetiole; subpetiolar process a low, convex, forward directed lobe.

Gaster. Gaster elongate-elliptical, narrowed posteriorly.

Sculpture. Body opaque and microreticulate except for gaster, which is smooth and shining; rugae completely lacking. Microreticulations are feebler on scape and legs; mandibles gently striate. Pilosity. Moderate; suberect, denser on antennae and legs; sparse on gaster.

Color. Medium reddish brown.

Type Material
Holotype worker. India, Tamil Nadu, Meghamalai, 9.7415°N 77.4206°E, 1400 m, 11.iii.2002, Winkler (coll. H. Bharti). The holotype had a fractured first gastral tergite whereas the second gastral tergite was missing.

Etymology
The species epithet is Latin for India.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Dad J. M., S. A. Akbar, H. Bharti, and A. A. Wachkoo. 2019. Community structure and ant species diversity across select sites ofWestern Ghats, India. Acta Ecologica Sinica 39: 219–228.