Lophomyrmex taivanae

The species seems to be a Taiwan endemic and is the sole Lophomyrmex known from the island. Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
A member of the Lophomymrex quadrispinosus group.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: Taiwan.

Nomenclature

 *  taivanae. Lophomyrmex quadrispinosus r. taivanae Forel, 1912a: 55 (w.) TAIWAN. Raised to species: Ettershank, 1966: 134; Rigato, 1994a: 60.

Worker
Rigato (1994) - TL 2.4-3.1, HL 0.63-0.79, HW 0.56-0.71, CI 88-94, SL 0.49-0.61, SI 84-91, PW 0.38-0.49, AL 0.69-0.88, SpL 0.14-0.23, HTL 0.48-0.61, TI 84-91 (32 measured).

With the characters given in the key and the following: Mesonotum in profile with a well-developed prominence and without a distinct posterior step. Metanotal groove quite notched in profile. Propodeal spines in profile very straight, sharp and not very long. Petiole and postpetiole appearing robust in profile. Petiolar node usually obliquely truncate with a quite distinct angle between its anterior and superior faces.

Clypeus subopaque, except for its posteriormost median portion which is shining. Frontal triangle quite dull. Head rather shining, above all on the frons and vertex; in full-face view the portions contained between the level of the inner eye margin and the frontal lobes appear shagreened and usually a little less shining than the frons. Genae and frontal lobes with fine longitudinal rugulae. Pronotum shining with at most only very superficial reticulation on the dorsum. Mesonotum behind the median prominence, mesopleuron and propodeum, excluding the declivity and part of the dorsum, reticulate and sublucid. Petiole and postpetiole finely reticulate and subopaque on the sides; top of the nodes chiefly smooth and sublucid. Gaster glassy smooth, shining.

Colour from pale yellow or pale brownish yellow to bright brownish yellow; sometimes the head with a more orange tinge and the gaster brown.

Type Material
Rigato (1994) - Syntype workers, Taiwan: Kosempo, Taihorin (H. Sauter) [examined].

Determination Clarifications
Rigato (1994) - A worker of taivanae labelled 'Palestine' (Svinsky) is present in DZTAU. As the distribution of many Lophomyrmex species is usually limited, I consider that this specimen is either mislabelled or represents an isolated introduction by man. It should not be included as part of the eastern Mediterranean ant fauna.