Cataulacus satrap

Little is known about the biology of this species. Taylor et al. (2018) found it on Isoberlinia doka while beating.

Identification
A member of the tenuis group. Related to Cataulacus vorticus which it resembles closely, Cataulacus satrap is immediately separated by its possession of denticles on the lateral pronotal margins.

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

Nomenclature

 *  satrap. Cataulacus satrap Bolton, 1982: 363 (w.) CAMEROUN.

Worker
Holotype. TL 3.5, HL 0.87, HW 0.82, CI 94, EL 0.44, OI 53, SL 0.40, SI 49, PW 0.56, AL 0.96.

With the head in full-face view the sides behind the eyes minutely denticulate, the denticles partially concealed by the thickened short hairs which project above them; the row of denticles ends in a small tooth at the occipital corner. Occipital crest absent, the dorsum of the head rounding into the occipital surface. Occipital margin unarmed except for a small tooth close to the one at the corner. Eyes relatively large, OI > 50. In profile the anterior outline of the pronotal dorsum sloping steeply, the surface equipped with a number of low peaks or tubercles. Behind this the remainder of the alitrunk shallowly but evenly convex, sloping down posteriorly to the base of the propodeal spines. Mesokatepisternal tooth prominent, moderately well developed. Metapleural lobes low and rounded. Propodeal spines in profile straight, only slightly elevated. With the alitrunk in dorsal view the pronotal corners angular and projecting. Sides of pronotum behind the corners only weakly marginate and with a series of 4-5 projecting denticles, all of which are small and widely spaced. In the holotype the right pronotal margin with 5, the left with 4 denticles. On both sides the posteriormost denticle the largest, the anteriormost distinctly smaller; the 2-3 between them minute and inconspicuous. Sides of mesonotum and propodeum without differentiated denticles. Propodeal spines in dorsal view broad and feebly divergent. Petiole in profile rising to an acute peak above. Subpetiolar process simple, with a bluntly rounded anteroventral angle and an acute, weakly projecting posteroventral angle, the two separated by a flat ventral surface. Postpetiole dome-like and high in profile, with two feebly developed peaks dorsally; the subpostpetiolar process short-digitiform and blunt. Dorsum of head irregularly reticulate-rugulose, the reticular meshes of uneven size and irregular shape, the rugulae low and rounded. Ground-sculpture of the rugular meshes a fine dense reticulate-puncturation. Dorsal alitrunk densely covered in fine rugulae which are low and rounded, reticulate in places but predominantly longitudinal behind the pronotum. Entire dorsum of alitrunk also blanketed by a fine dense and very conspicuous reticulate-punctate ground-sculpture. Petiole and postpetiole with dense reticulate-punctate sculpture, the former also with longitudinal rugae in dorsal view, the latter only with a few vestigial irregular rugulae. First gastral tergite strongly and densely reticulate-punctate everywhere. Dorsum of head with numerous distinctive stalked-suborbicular hairs, those situated anteriorly on the dorsum more strongly expanded apically than those situated behind the level of the eyes. All remaining dorsal surfaces of body with many very short thick blunt hairs. Colour uniform black, dull; the scapes, tibiae and tarsi dull yellowish brown.

Paratype. TL 3.4, HL 0.88, HW 0.80, CI 91, EL 0.43, OI 54, SL 0.40, SI 50, PW 0.57, AL 0.96.

As holotype but propodeal spines slightly less divergent and the subpetiolar process with the anteroventral and posteroventral angles separated by a feebly concave ventral surface. On the pronotal margins the anteriormost denticle behind the corner is no larger than those following it (except for the last in the row, which is the largest); and the left side of the pronotum with 5 denticles, the right side with 4.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Cameroun: Nkoemvon, 1970, M12 (D. Jackson). Paratype. 1 worker with same data as holotype (BMNH).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Taylor B., N. Agoinon, A. Sinzogan, A. Adandonon, Y. N'Da Kouagou, S. Bello, R. Wargui, F. Anato, I. Ouagoussounon, H. Houngbo, S. Tchibozo, R. Todjhounde, and J. F. Vayssieres. 2018. Records of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from the Republic of Benin, with particular reference to the mango farm ecosystem. Journal of Insect Biodiversity 8(1): 006–029.