Cataulacus simoni

Nothing is known about the biology of Cataulacus simoni.

Identification
A member of the granulatus group. The small size coupled with the relatively narrow head, large eyes and presence of clavate short hairs distinguishes the species from other members of the granulatus-group. The presence of clavate and subclavate hairs in some populations of Cataulacus granulatus from Java and the Andaman Islands is offset by size differences, differences in sculpturation, the presence of a constriction between mesonotum and propodeum and a marked difference in bodily build; Cataulacus simoni being a relatively slender species whilst granulatus is thick set and stocky. The female is distinguished from that of Cataulacus longinodus by the presence of clavate hairs on the alitrunk, especially the pronotum, and its smaller size. (Bolton 1974)

Distribution
Cataulacus simoni appears to be restricted to Sri Lanka and the Andaman Islands.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India, Sri Lanka. Palaearctic Region: China.

Nomenclature

 *  simoni. Cataulacus simoni Emery, 1893f: 248 (w.) SRI LANKA. Forel, 1909e: 393 (q.). Senior synonym of andamanensis: Bolton, 1974a: 72.
 * andamanensis. Cataulacus granulatus r. andamanensis Forel, 1903d: 406 (w.) INDIA (Andaman Is). Junior synonym of simoni: Bolton, 1974a: 72.

Worker
Bolton (1974) - TL 3.8 – 4.1, HL 0.90 – 1.00, HW 0.90 – 1.04, CI 100 - 104, EL 0.36 – 0.40, OI 38 - 40, IOD 0.68 – 0.76. SL 0.48 – 0.50, SI 46 - 53, PW 0.72 – 0.80, AL 0.92 – 0.98, MTL 0.46 – 0.52 (6 measured).

Occipital crest complete or in some cases incomplete medially, armed with small denticles. Sides of head behind eyes minutely denticulate, terminating in a large denticle at the occipital corner. The head relatively long and narrow, with relatively large eyes. Lateral margins of alitrunk minutely denticulate along their length, the denticles spaced out and usually extending onto the lateral margins of the propodeal spines. Alitrunk broadest across the pronotum, the sides converging posteriorly in dorsal view; the alitrunk laterally without a pronounced U- or V-shaped notch or impression between the mesonotum and propodeum. Propodeal spines varying from a pair of distinct, relatively broad, short structures to a pair of small teeth. First gastral tergite not marginate laterally.

Head reticulate-rugose dorsally, the interspaces finely and quite feebly reticulate-punctate, dully shining. Pronotal dorsum reticulate-rugose, the points of intersection of the rugae often raised into minute peaks. On the mesonotum the rugae usually run longitudinally but in most specimens some feeble cross-meshes are visible which in some individuals may be strongly developed. Propodeal dorsum reticulate-rugose but more finely and densely so than the pronotum. The interspaces are always finely and weakly reticulate-punctate, dully shining. First gastral tergite reticulate-punctate with numerous weak longitudinal rugulae. The sides of the sclerite, above the tergosternal junction often have a number of coarse longitudinal rugae, but their development varies amongst individuals.

Dorsum of head with numerous short, distinctly and strongly clavate hairs which in some cases appear almost globular, with a short stem. Similar hairs are present upon the dorsal alitrunk but are more sparse, whilst upon the gaster the hairs are normal, short, thick, and blunt.

Queen
Bolton (1974) - TL 5.0, HL 1.02, HW 1.00, CI 98, EL 0.40, OI 40, IOD 0.78, SL 0.52, SI 52, PW 0.90, AL 1.40, MTL not measurable.

As worker but with reduced denticulation on the head and alitrunk. Propodeal spines proportionately smaller than in the worker, reduced to a pair of short, triangular teeth. Sculpturation and form and distribution of hairs as worker, but the mesoscutum and scutellum longitudinally rugose, more regularly so upon the former than the latter where the rugae are somewhat sinuate. Gaster very much longer than broad, the first tergite 1.70 long and 1.04 wide at maximum in the female examined.

Type Material
Bolton (1974):

Syntype workers, CEYLON: Kandy; Colombo, i.-ii.1892 (E. Simon) (probably in MCSN, Genoa).

Cataulacus granulatus race andamanensis Syntype workers, INDIA: Andaman Is. (MHN, Geneva) [examined].

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

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