Aenictus wroughtonii

No biological information is available for A. wroughtonii. However, judging from the type locality the species probably inhabits lowlands (Jaitrong et al. 2010).

Identification
A. wroughtonii is the smallest species in the wroughtonii group and closely related to Aenictus sagei and Aenictus artipus. (Jaitrong et al. 2010)

Distribution
India, from the vicinity of Bombay south to Travancore.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  wroughtonii. Aenictus wroughtonii Forel, 1890b: ciii (w.m.) INDIA. See also: Wilson, 1964a: 480; Jaitrong, et al. 2010: 45.

Worker
Wilson (1964) - Syntypes: 2 workers selected at random: HW 0.43 mm, HL 0.56 mm, SL 0.51 mm, SI 119; HW 0.43 mm, HL 0.56 mm, SL 0.50 mm, Sl 116. HW of 10 other syntypes 0.43-0.44 mm. Antenna 10-segmented. Mandible typical. Clypeus convex, entire, bearing about 7 prominent teeth on its anterior border. Parafrontal ridge absent. Occiput straight. Propodeal junction evenly rounded. Subpetiolar process virtually absent, consisting of no more than a very low lobe situated under anterior 1/2 of node. Pilosity abundant; length of longest pronotal hairs 0.10 mm.

Entirely shining. Concolorous clear yellow.

Jaitrong et al. (2010) - Worker lectotype and paralectotypes (n = 6): TL 2.5-2.7 mm; HL 0.58-0.60 mm: HW 0.45 mm; SL 0.50-0.55 mm; ML 0.90-0.93 mm; PNW 0.28-0.30 mm; MTL 0.53-0.58 mm; PL 0.23 mm; CI 75-78; SI 111-122.

Head in full-face view subrectangular, elongate, much longer than broad, with weakly convex sides and feebly convex posterior margin. Antennal Scape reaching, posterior margin of head; funicular segments longer than broad: antennal segment II as long as III; IV-VII each shorter than III; VIII-IX broader than II-VII: the last (X) as long as VIII and IX combined. Frontal carina short and thin, not extending beyond the level of posterior margin of torulus. Clypeus short, with very slightly convex anterior margin that bears 8-10 teeth. Mandible with the apical tooth large and curved, followed by 10-12 minute teeth on masticatory margin. Pronotum in profile convex dorsally; promesonotum sloping gradually to metanotal groove. Propodeum slightly longer than promesonotum; its dorsal outline slightly convex; propodeal junction rounded; dec1ivity of propodeum laterally margined with weak ridges. Petiole compressed, as long as high, seen from above almost parallel-sided, seen in profile rounded dorsally and slightly higher behind than in front; subpetiolar process undeveloped, with its ventral outline feebly convex and without anterior angle: postpetiole slightly smaller than petiole with its node rounded dorsally, scarcely longer than broad.

Head including mandible and antennal scape smooth and shiny. Entire mesosoma smooth and very shiny, except upper part of mesopleuron and metapleuron which is finely sculptured. Gaster, femora, and tibiae smooth and shining.

Body with relatively sparse obliquely standing hairs mixed with short hairs over the surface; length of the longest pronotal hair 0.10-0.13 mm. Entire body deep yellow to pale brown, with mandible and posterior portion of gaster often paler.

Type Material
Jaitrong et al. (2010) - Six syntype workers on two pins (three on each pin) from Thana, near Poona, India (, examined). The middle specimen mounted on one pin is selected as the lectotype, the others as paralectotypes.



References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Collingwood C. A. 1962. Some ants (Hym. Formicidae) from north-east Asia. Entomologisk Tidskrift 83: 215-230.
 * Wilson E. O. 1964. The true army ants of the Indo-Australian area (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Dorylinae). Pacific Insects 6: 427-483.