Dicroaspis cryptocera

The only biological information available is some meager collection record data: from rainforest habitat, in a rotten log and sifted leaf litter.

Identification
D. cryptocera is one of a pair of species in the genus Dicroaspis.

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

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  cryptocera. Dicroaspis cryptocera Emery, 1908b: 185, fig. 1 (w.q.) DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO. Combination in Calyptomyrmex (Dicroaspis): Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 887; in Dicroaspis: Bolton, 1981a: 58. Senior synonym of wheeleri: Bolton, 1981a: 58.
 * wheeleri. Geognomicus wheeleri Menozzi, 1924b: 220, figs. 1-3 (w.) SÃO TOMÉ & PRÍNCIPE (Príncipe I.). Junior synonym of cryptocera: Bolton, 1981a: 58.

Worker
Bolton (1981) - TL 3.0-3.1, HL 0.80-0.86, HW 0.68-0.74, CI 85-86, SL 0.50-0.56, SI 74-77, PW 0.50-0.54, AL 0.86-92 (3 measured).

Mandibles smooth with a few scattered small pits. Anterior clypeal margin transverse, concealing the basal mandibular teeth when the latter are closed. Narrow vertical median portion of clypeus below the fork transverse and unsculptured. In dorsal view the clypeal fork short, the distance across the apices of its teeth exceeding the length of the side of the fork from apex to frontal lobe. Narrow median portion of clypeus (running back between the frontal lobes) smooth and very shiny. Frontal lobes strongly expanded, convergent posteriorly to the bases of the frontal carinae; the latter divergent and running back almost to the occipital margin, each with a narrow laterally projecting flange along most of the length. Antennal scapes with the distal two-thirds thicker than the proximal third but not incrassate and lacking any lamelliform extension of the leading edge. Eyes small, maximum diameter 0.07-0.08 (0.10-0.11 x HW), with 3-4 ommatidia in the longest row; the eyes situated below the scrobe and separated from its strong ventral margin by a distance about equal to their maximum diameter. Promesonotum forming a single convexity in profile, the metanotal groove very shallowly marked. Propodeal dorsum with a short, more or less flat portion behind the metanotal groove and then sloping steeply to a pair of short, stout triangular spines. Metapleurallobes narrow but deep, evenly rounded and running from the base of the spine almost to the metapleural angle. Short thick peduncle of petiole equipped anteroventrally with a broad, keel-like process which projects forwards and is concealed by the metapleuron and its lobes unless the pedicel segments are raised. Node of petiole with the anterior and posterior faces converging dorsally so that the dorsal surface is short. Structure of postpetiole, gaster and other major characters as described under the generic diagnosis. Dorsum of head and promesonotum rugose, the rugae low and rounded, not sharply defined. On the head the rugae predominantly or entirely longitudinal but with a tendency to meander. On the promesonotum in places the rugae enclose foveolate spaces. Scrobal areas unsculptured, smooth and shining. Propodeum with a transverse line or ridge between the spines which marks the true junction of dorsum and delivity; both the sloping dorsum above the line and the declivity below it smooth and highly polished. First gastral tergite with piligerous punctures faint to effaced, difficult to discern. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with numerous short, fine curved simple hairs. Colour glossy light reddish brown.

Type Material
Bolton (1981) - Syntype worker, female, ZAIRE: Stanleyville (=Kisangani) (H. Kohl) (, Genoa) [worker examined].

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bolton B. 1981. A revision of the ant genera Meranoplus F. Smith, Dicroaspis Emery and Calyptomyrmex Emery (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Ethiopian zoogeographical region. Bull. Br. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) Entomol. 42: 43-81.
 * Emery C. 1908. Descriptions d'une genre nouveau et de plusieurs formes nouvelles de fourmis du Congo. Annales de la Société Entomologique de Belgique 52: 184-189.
 * Medler J. T. 1980: Insects of Nigeria - Check list and bibliography. Mem. Amer. Ent. Inst. 30: i-vii, 1-919.
 * Menozzi C. 1924. Alcune nuove formiche africane. Annali del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale Giacomo Doria. 51: 220-227.
 * Taylor B. 1979. Ants of the Nigerian Forest Zone (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). III. Myrmicinae (Cardiocondylini to Meranoplini). Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria Research Bulletin 6: 1-65.