Anomalomyrma helenae

The only specimens of Anomalomyrma helenae, two workers, were taken in a "seasonal dry primary forest on steep slope near the waterfall" and "the ants were sifted from leaf litter on wet forest floor and extracted with a Winkler apparatus" (as reported in Borowiec et al. 2011).

Identification
From Borowiec et al. (2011): The general appearance of Anomalomyrma helenae is similar to that of Anomalomyrma boltoni, but they are distinguishable by the following characters:

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Philippines.

This ant was first described from the Philippines.

Abundance
Known only from the two type workers.

Castes
Known only from (type) workers.

Nomenclature

 * . Anomalomyrma helenae Borowiec, M.L. et al. 2011: 6, figs. 5-8 (w.) PHILIPPINES (Palawan I.).

Worker
Measurements and ratios of holotype worker. HW 0.67, HL 0.75, MaL 0.51, SL 0.86, ML 1.36, PrW 0.61, PW 0.39, PL 0.26, AIIIW 0.48, AIIIL 0.30, AIVW 0.68, AIVL 0.71, FCoW 0.32, FCoL 0.66, CS 0.71, BS 0.93, HW/HL 0.89, SL/HW 1.27, PL/PW 0.66, PL/AIIIL 0.84, PW/AIIIW 0.80, AIIIL/AIIIW 0.63, PW/ML: 0.29, AIIIW/ML: 0.3. Measurements and ratios of paratype worker. HW 0.70, HL 0.79, MaL 0.52, SL 0.88, ML 1.39, PrW 0.65, PW 0.41, PL 0.32, AIIIW 0.55, AIIIL 0.33, AIVW 0.68, AIVL 0.65, FCoL 0.66, FCoW 0.32, CS 0.75, BS 0.95, HW/HL 0.89, SL/HW 1.26, PL/PW 0.79, PL/AIIIL 0.97, PW/AIIIW 0.74, AIIIL/AIIIW 0.60, PW/ML: 0.29, AIIIW/ML: 0.39. Head longer than broad, vertex margin medially slightly concave, posterior corners more abruptly rounded. Occipital carina visible in frontal view. Head sides evenly and slightly convex, with tooth-like prominence lateral of antennal sockets, with a notch below. Eyes absent. Mandible elongate, sabreto sickle-like and downcurved, only with marginal basal margin. Masticatory margin with one row of about 20 irregular, very small, cuticular saw-blade like teeth. Mandible with an obvious dorsolateral groove, framed by ridges, with a conspicuous basal pit arising laterally on the mandible and close to mandibular insertions. In lateral view the mandibles are thin and strongly bent backwards, apically each mandible with one thick, very long hair. Labrum with 10–12 very long (nearly equally long as mandible blade) hairs. Labrum armed with seven peg-like teeth, from which the two submedian are longer than the others. Palp formula 4,2 or 4,1 (uncertain in situ count). Clypeus broad, in lateral view raised convexly over the remaining surface of head. In dorsal full face view anterior margin of clypeus evenly concave, posteriorly separated from frons by transverse impression. Antennae with 12 segments, not clavate, all segments longer than broad. Scape very long, distinctly longer then head width. Neck of pronotum with an oval median depression. Pronotum high and bulky. Promesonotal connection flexible. In lateral view mesosoma with a deep and wide metanotal groove, in dorsal view between mesonotum and propodeum distinctly constricted. Katepisternum bordered by a keeled edge. Propodeum delimited from thorax by a scrobiculatefossulate groove, visible in lateral and dorsal views. In lateral view propodeum with dorsal surface flat, declivitous and dorsal faces meeting at obtuse angle. In dorsal view the propodeum is distinctly narrower than pronotum, and the base of it is broader than the upper part. Propodeal spiracle and metapleural gland bulla separated by about twice the spiracle diameter. Bulla of metapleural gland visible though semi-translucent cuticle. Metapleural trench present below bulla. Forelegs enlarged, coxa and femur broadened, mid- and hind legs much more slender. Middle tibiae without spurs and hind tibiae each with one pectinate spur. Abdominal segments II (petiole) with narrow anterior peduncle and evenly rounded dorsal surface, without differentiated posterior surface. Both abdominal segments II and III (postpetiole) distinctly broader than long. Subpetiolar process with a large lobe-like extension, and a small anterior-basal semi-translucent fenestra, in ventral view broad, tapering distally. Abdominal segment II with complete tergosternal fusion and without trace of suture. Abdominal segment III in dorsal view broad, nearly oval, broadly attached to segment II and IV (first gastral), separated from surrounding segments by scrobiculate constrictions between pre- and postsclerites. In lateral view abdominal segment III distinctly higher than long; dorsal surface flat, outline slightly convex; attached to segment II by an immobile joint. Ventral outline of segment III with a visible articulatory surface with segment IV and capable of relative movement. Tergite and sternite of abdominal segment III separated by a visible suture; the tergosternal fusion was not determined. Gaster oval in dorsal view, gastral shoulders not surrounding abdominal segment III, and no notch between tergite and sternite IV in lateral view. Mandibles smooth with very few, isolated foveolae. Head capsule devoid of sculpture except tiny punctures at the base of hairs, surface shiny. Pronotal neck roughly reticulate/rugulate, propleuron reticulate. Pronotum, mesonotum, and surface of propodeum, generally without any sculpture, surfaces glossy. Articulatory surface between pronotum and mesonotum strigulate, the distinct groove between mesonotum, katepisternum and propodeum is scrobulate. Propodeal declivity with very shallow reticulate sculpture. Abdominal segments II, III and IV–VII (gaster) without sculpture. Body pilosity of suberect to erect hairs on all surfaces. Color mainly brown to dark brown with antennae, legs (except foreleg coxae), parts of pronotum and mesonotum testaceous.

Type Material
Holotype worker. PHILIPPINES: Palawan, El Nido Region, Bulalacao Waterfall, 11°13'41" N 119°28'00" E, 200– 450 m, seasonal dry primary forest on steep slope near the waterfall (A. Schulz) 25 XI 2009, CASENT0220220. The ants were sifted from leaf litter on wet forest floor and extracted with a Winkler apparatus. Paratype worker. Same data as holotype, CASENT0220221.

Holotype Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Karlsruhe, Germany and paratype.

Etymology
This species is dedicated to Helene Faulhaber for her understanding.