Cataulacus porcatus

A Madagascar endemic that inhabits a wide range of forest types.

Identification
A member of the huberi group. I have not been able to examine the types of this interesting species. The short characterization given below is summarized from the original description. Emery states that the species is close to Cataulacus regularis. In particular his description of the alitrunk and sculpturation are reminiscent of regularis, but as he points out there are noticeable differences in the sculpturation, and also regularis has the occipital corners unarmed. (Bolton 1974)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 *  porcatus. Cataulacus porcatus Emery, 1899f: 286 (w.q.) MADAGASCAR. See also: Bolton, 1974a: 25.

Worker
Bolton (1974) - TL 3.5 – 4.5.

Occipital corners with two small, obtuse teeth each and the occipital crest apparently absent. Preocular teeth present. Dorsal surface of head strongly convex so that the large eyes are more or less lateral; antennal scrobes strongly deflected in their posterior portions. Alitrunk marginate; the pronotal margination with two subrectangular teeth anteriorly, separated by an incision. Behind this the margin is feebly sinuate and terminates in a broad, rounded projection. Mesonotum separated from propodeum by a tooth and an incision laterally. Propodeum furnished with a pair of short spines. Promesonotal suture effaced, metanotal groove a faint sulcus which does not break the sculpturation. Petiole with a small tooth in the middle of its upper sides.

Head, alitrunk and segments of pedicel with strongly undulate, longitudinal sulcate-rugation; with only 12-13 present across the posterior portion of the mesonotum. Sculpturation of head finer than that of alitrunk and some rugae are convergent towards a point on the midline situated on a level with the anterior margins of the eyes. Gaster finely punctate and with fine, longitudinal rugae.

A few short, clavate hairs present upon the alitrunk and legs.

Type Material
Bolton (1974) - Syntype worker, female, MADAGASCAR: Antongil Bay, 1897-98 (Mocquerys) (probably in MCSN, Genoa).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Fisher B. L. 1997. Biogeography and ecology of the ant fauna of Madagascar (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Journal of Natural History 31: 269-302.
 * Fisher B. L. 2003. Formicidae, ants. Pp. 811-819 in: Goodman, S. M.; Benstead, J. P. (eds.) 2003. The natural history of Madagascar. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, xxi + 1709 pp.