Aenictus philiporum

This rare species has been collected only a limited number of times on Cape York Peninsula, Queensland and in eastern Papua New Guinea. Little is known concerning its biology (Shattuck, 2008).

Identification
A member of the pachycerus group. Head capsule smooth posteriorly and weakly punctate between the frontal carinae and above the mandibular insertions; pronotum with large smooth areas dorsally and laterally, other areas micro-reticulate.

Key to Australian Aenictus species

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia. Indo-Australian Region: Papua New Guinea.

Biology
A colony from Bandong was found running in file during the late afternoon in midmountain rain forest. The workers wer carrying brood consisting of half-grown larvae; thus the colony is interpreted as being in the nomadic phase. Three Pheidole soldiers, representing at least 2 species, were retrieved from the mandibles of the the workers. (Wilson 1964)

Nomenclature

 *  philiporum. Aenictus philiporum Wilson, 1964a: 473, fig. 74 (w.) AUSTRALIA. See also: Shattuck, 2008c: 13.

Holotype worker and 5 paratype workers from Iron Range, Queensland.

Description
Mandible broad, triangular, with 6–9 widely spaced short teeth; anterior clypeal border broadly convex, even with or slightly posterior to anterior margin of frontal lobes; parafrontal ridges present; subpetiolar process weakly developed, broadly rounded anteriorly, flat posteriorly; head smooth laterally, remainder weakly to moderately punctate; posterior section of pronotum and entire mesonotum completely smooth to very weakly reticulate; anterior of pronotum, mesopleuron and entire propodeum weakly punctuate; body red-brown, head, antennae and legs lighter yellow-red.

Measurements. Worker (n = 10) - CI 88–94; HL 0.66–0.71; HW 0.59–0.67; MTL 0.47–0.57; ML 0.96–1.06; SI 83–89; SL 0.52–0.59.