Aenictus aitkenii

This species is known from India and Sri Lanka.

Identification
A member of the pachycerus group. This species is similar to A. aratus (with which it has been treated as a junior synonym) and A. nesiotis but differs in having a broader head (cephalic index > 87 versus CI < 88 in A. nesiotis), and broader and more bulbous petiole and postpetiole (both are narrower in A. aratus and A. nesiotis). The scape is also relatively longer than in the others (scape index > 115 versus < 115). It is similar to A. levior in the shape of the head but differs in having longer scapes (Shattuck, 2008).

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

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  aitkenii. Aenictus aitkenii Forel, 1901a: 475 (w.) INDIA. Junior synonym of aratus: Wilson, 1964a: 446. Revived from synonymy and senior synonym of asiatica: Shattuck, 2008c: 16.

Type Material

 * asiatica. Aenictus aratus var. asiatica Forel, 1911h: 453 (w.) SRI LANKA. Junior synonym of aratus: Wilson, 1964a: 446; of aitkenii: Shattuck, 2008c: 16.


 * Aenictus aitkenii: Worker syntypes from Kanara, Thana and Travancore, India.


 * Aenictus aratus var. asiatica: Worker syntype from Sri Lanka.