Eurhopalothrix dubia

The type specimens were collected from Berlese funnel extractions of rainforest leaf mould.

Identification
Mezger & Pfeiffer (2010) - Distinguished from any other species of E. platisquama group by higher number of setae on upper section of head: six. Square array of four standing setae grouped in middle of head and anterior to this array two further standing setae. Postpetiole with one pair of setae. Eye with about 20 om-matidia. Squamiform ground pilosity dense, resembling Eurhopalothrix platisquama. Distance between squamiform hairs 12 μm on average, i.e., smaller than in Eurhopalothrix elke and Eurhopalothrix seguensis. Rugolae with 25 μm diameter similar to those of E. elke Scape with one outer row of ten setae and one inner row of six setae. Mandible 1.5 times as broad as long, comparable to that of E. platisquama. Masticatory margin with nine teeth.

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

Nomenclature

 *  dubia. Eurhopalothrix dubia Taylor, 1990b: 409, figs. 13-15, 47 (w.q.) BORNEO.

Worker
General features as illustrated. All Class A attributes present, with those of Class B, unless otherwise indicated. Dimensions (holotype, mm): HL 0.69; HW 0.74; CI 107; ML 0.17; MI 25; SL 0.40; SI 54; PW 0.44; WL 0.78. The smallest (Umas Umas) and largest (Lungmanis) paratypes have HW 0.73 and 0.85 mm respectively. Occipital border almost straight, transverse [its outline at most minutely curved (usually concave) or sinuate]. Petiolar node in dorsal view essentially square, with its length and breadth subequal, to distinctly but moderately wider than long.

Frons and clypeus almost entirely, and other dorsal body surfaces extensively, covered by a ground pilosity of dense, flattened, thoroughly appressed, squamous, shining silvery hairs, which are almost contiguous and fill or overlap the punctures bearing them. These hairs with feathered margins under SEM examination. Specialised erect hairs also present, well differentiated from those of the ground pilosity. Each clavate, barely expanded, though relatively thick and columnar; distributed (when complement is complete) as follows: 6 on frons: 2 pairs grouped posteromedially at the occipital border in a tight square array (the hairs spaced by about their average length); the other 2 hairs each midway between this group and the ipsilateral eye. Such hairs lacking on promesonotum and petiolar node, and on dorsum of first gastral tergite; one pair (posterolateral) on postpetiole. Ground pilosity of scapes and legs dense, generally less specialised than on body, though squamous hairs are present on the antennal scapes and humeral knees.

Type Material
Type Locality: Malaysia: Sabah: Umas Umas, near Tawau (04°16'N., 117°54'E.). Malaysia: Sabah: Lungmanis, mile 45 (Labuk Rd, ex Sandakan), 4 paratype workers (RWT aces 68.475, 502, 12-13.vi.1968); Sepilok Forest Reserve, near Sandakan (05°52'N., 118°04'E.), paratype worker (RWT ace 68.451, 12.vi.1968); Umas Umas (type locality), holotype, 7 paratype workers, 2 paratype queens (RWT aces 68.626, 627, 12-13.iv.1968). All specimens from Berlese funnel extractions of rainforest leaf mould. Holotype and paratypes in (type No. 7778), holotype gold-palladium coated for SEM study. Worker paratypes in, , MKUB.