Cardiocondyla weserka

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Bolton (1982) - Among the species of the region in which the metanotal groove is impressed, weserka is immediately distinguished by the shape of the propodeal dorsum. In general the propodeal dorsum is convex behind the groove and then enters a long slope down to the tubercles, spines or teeth, but in weserka the dorsum is almost flat and does not conform to this usual shape.

Seifert (2003) - A member of the Cardiocondyla emeryi group. Cardiocondyla weserka is most similar to Cardiocondyla neferka in surface structures, shape of head and waist segments, and morphometry. The only significant difference is the shape of the mesosoma. The dorsal propodeal profile is much less convex in C. weserka, which gives the whole dorsal mesosoma profile a more linear appearance, although the difference is less expressed than suggested by the figures in Bolton (1982). Furthermore, the pronotum of the C. weserka type does not show the conspicuous anterolateral pronotal corners seen in C. neferka. I have doubts whether these suggested differences between both taxa can be confirmed after the study of more material, nevertheless it is better to maintain the present status until further information is available.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Cameroun.

Castes
Only known from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 * . Cardiocondyla weserka Bolton, 1982: 317, fig. 6 (w.) CAMEROON.
 * Status as species: Bolton, 1995b: 133; Rigato, 2002: 172 (in key); Seifert, 2003a: 280 (redescription).

Worker
Holotype. TL 1.9, HL 0.46, HW 0.35, CI 76, SL 0.32, SI 91, PW 0.25, AL 0.48.

Antennal scapes moderately long but when laid back on the head failing to reach the occipital corners in full-face view. Maximum diameter of eye 0.12, about 0.34 x HW and with 9-10 ommatidia in the longest row. Pronotum in dorsal view with the corners narrowly rounded but not prominent. With the alitrunk in profile the promesonotum with its dorsum almost flat, rounding broadly into its anterior declivity but running into the metanotal groove almost in a straight line, with only the feeblest of curves. Metanotal groove narrowly but quite distinctly impressed. Behind the metanotal groove the propodeal dorsum more or less flat and on a slightly higher level than the posterior part of the promesonotum; the propodeal convexity behind the metanotal groove followed by a long slope down to the spines, which is characteristic of most species of the region, is absent here. Propodeal spines elongate and narrow, much longer than their basal width in profile; in dorsal view the spines somewhat incurved, each spine easily as long as the distance separating their bases. Shape of pedicel segments in profile as in Fig. 6. In dorsal view the petiole node conspicuously longer than broad, its dorsal surface narrow. Postpetiole much broader than long, its anterior face slightly concave, its sides convex. Dorsum of head blanketed by a fine dense granular sculpture or shagreening. Dorsal promesonotum more lightly shagreened than head, the sculpture here being extremely fine and very dense indeed. Propodeal dorsum with same sculpture as promesonotum but somewhat weaker and appearing shiny in places. Petiole and postpetiole very finely and superficially shagreened. Hairs absent except on mouthparts but a fine appressed pubescence is present, most easily visible on the first gastral tergite. Alitrunk medium brown, the appendages slightly lighter. Head dorsally and gaster blackish brown to black. Pedicel segments intermediate in shade between alitrunk and gaster.

Seifert (2003) - holotype: CS 404, CL/CW 1.231, SL/CS 0.790, PoOc/CL 0.440, EYE 0.247, dFOV 17, FRS/CS 0.229, SPBA/CS 0.296, SP/CS 0.212, PEW/CS 0.265, PPW/CS 0.455, PEH/CS 0.357, PPH/CS 0.289, PEW/PPW 0.572, PEH/PE 1.346, sqrtPDG 4.07, PLG/CS 7.62 %, MGr/CS 1.79 %.

Small size. Head much elongated, CL/CW 1.231. Scape rather short, SL/CS 0.790. Postocular index large, PoOc/CL 0.440. Eyes medium-sized, EYE 0.247, without clearly visible microsetae. Frons narrow, FRS/CS 0.229, frontal carinae immediately behind FRS level slightly converging and then diverging. Occipital margin more or less straight. Whole head and mesosoma without longitudinal sculpture, except for small patches with weak carinulae mentioned below. Anterior clypeal margin with median concavity. Vertex with deeply impressed, flat-bottomed foveolae of 16 - 18 mm diameter in densely-packed honey-comb arrangement; foveolae showing an inner corona (tubercle) of 8 - 10 mm diameter; median vertex posterior of frontal triangle with 2 - 3 very short longitudinal carinulae. Frontal laminae and clypeus foveolate. Pronotal shoulders rather developed, but rounded, not angulate. Dorsal mesosoma profile from pronotum caudad to propodeum at spiracular level rather linear, convex curvatures only indicated, metanotal groove shallow. Dorsal area of promesonotum irregularly reticulate, width of meshes 5 - 7 mm, scattered foveolae present. Dorsal area of propodeum irregularly reticulate-corrugated-foveolate; whole lateral area of mesosoma strongly microreticulate. Propodeal spiracle very small, inner diameter only 5 mm. Spines long, strong, and incurved; in lateral view deviating from longitudinal mesosomal axis by 20°. Petiole except for the more smooth and finely microreticulate dorsum with well-pronounced and dense microreticulum; node distinctly longer than wide, with narrow dorsal plane; node in lateral view massive, petiolar peduncle moderately long. Postpetiole in dorsal view wider than long, with angulate-convex sides and concave anterior margin, rather smooth, finely microreticulate; postpetiolar sternite rather flat, with well-pronounced, rounded anterolateral corners. Head, mesosoma, waist, and gaster dark brown; lateral pronotum and appendages lighter.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Cameroun: Nkoemvon, 1980, no. M35 (D. Jackson).