Cardiocondyla neferka

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
C. neferka is closest related to Cardiocondyla emeryi but is quickly separable by its elongate narrow propodeal spines and conspicuously square-shouldered appearance when the pronotum is seen in dorsal view. (Bolton 1982)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Cameroun, Ghana.

Castes
Only known from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  neferka. Cardiocondyla neferka Bolton, 1982: 314, fig. 7 (w.) GHANA. See also: Seifert, 2003a: 280.

Worker
Holotype. TL 1.8, HL 0.48, HW 0.36, CI 75, SL 0.32, SI 89, PW 0.26, AL 0.49.

Antennal scapes of moderate length (SI 87-91 in type-series), when laid back on the head not reaching the occipital corners in full-face view. Maximum diameter of eye 0.11, about 0.31 x HW and with 9-10 ommatidia in the longest row. Head conspicuously longer than broad, CI < 80. Pronotum in dorsal view with narrowly rounded, somewhat prominent corners, giving the ant a conspicuously square-shouldered appearance. With the alitrunk in profile the promesonotum forming an even shallow convexity from front to back which grades into the metanotal groove without passing through an abrupt change of slope. Metanotal groove shallowly impressed, the propodeal dorsum shallowly convex behind the groove, then sloping downwards posteriorly towards the spines. Propodeal spines elongate and narrow, in profile much longer than their basal width; in dorsal view the spines slightly incurved and each as long as the distance separating their bases. Shape of pedicel segments as in Fig. 7. In dorsal view the petiole node longer than broad, the postpetiole distinctly broader than long and broadest at its midlength. Dorsum of head shagreened-granular, the sculpture very fine and dense, blanketing the surface. Promesonotal dorsum very finely and densely superficially shagreened and mat, but the propodeal dorsum with only vestigial sculpture and glossy, much less densely sculptured than the promesonotum. Dorsal surfaces of petiole, postpetiole and gaster unsculptured except for a faint and patchy superficial patterning. Hairs absent except on mouthparts but a fine appressed pubescence is present which is most apparent on the gaster. Colour uniform light brownish yellow, the dorsum of the head slightly darker than the sides; sides of the first gastral tergite a rich darker brown.

Paratypes. TL 1.80-1.81, HL 0.46-0.48, HW 0.35-D.37, CI 76-79, SL 0.32-0.33, SI 87-91, PW 0.24-D.27, AL 0.48-0.51 (3 measured).

Maximum diameter of eye 0.1O-D.11, about 0.27-0.31 x HW and with 9-10 ommatidia in the longest row. As holotype but in a couple the darker colour of the sides of the first gastral tergite extends onto the dorsum.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Ghana: Mampong, lO.ii.1970 (P. Room).

Paratypes. 3 workers with same data as holotype (BMNH,, ).