Simopone occulta

Identification
Key to Afrotropical Simopone Species

A member of the schoutedeni species group. This small species appears closely related to Simopone amana, but its eyes are located farther forward on the head and there is no dense, longitudinal striolate ground sculpture between the eyes. (Bolton and Fisher 2012)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Gabon.

Nomenclature

 *  occulta. Simopone occulta Bolton & Fisher, 2012: 34, figs. 25-27 (w.) GABON.

Worker
Holotype. HL 0.78, HW 0.49, SL 0.22, EL 0.24, PW 0.37, AIIW 0.36, AIIL 0.39, AIIIW 0.44, AIIIL 0.48, WL 0.94, MFL 0.38, CI 63, SI 45, EL/HW 0.49, EP 0.76, AIIW/AIIL 0.92, AIIIW/AIIIL 0.92.

With head in full-face view the outlines of the outer margins of the eyes very nearly touch the outlines of the sides of the head. ES 0.25 and width of head across broadest part of eyes 0.49. Cephalic dorsum with scattered broad, shallow punctures. Ground sculpture almost effaced between the eyes, here and there with vestiges but without longitudinal fine striolae. Leading edge of scape with a few setae, inclined toward the scape apex. Sides of headbelow and behind eyes with projecting short setae, inclined anteriorly. Cephalic dorsum with a number of short setae and with a few pairs of longer setae present on the frontal carinae and above the eye. Ventral surface of head with short setae. Mesosoma in dorsal view narrowest across the mesonotum (maximum width 0.38), broadest across the propodeum (maximum width 0.39). Anterior margin of pronotum weakly marginate. Propodeal carina between dorsum and declivity extremely feebly developed, almost effaced. Entire dorsum of mesosoma with widely spaced broad, shallow punctures that are most widely spaced on the pronotum. Mesopleuron with a few punctures and a distinct transverse sulcus. In profile, dorsal surfaces of mesosoma and all abdominal tergites with numerous posteriorly curved setae. Standing setae present on middle and hind tibiae. AII (petiole) in dorsal view with a weak transverse carina both anteriorly and posteriorly; sides almost straight so that the width across the anterior margin is almost exactly the same as across the posterior margin. Dorsum of AII with scattered, shallow punctures. Tergite of AIII with more crowded punctures, so that some are adjacent; diameters of punctures always greater than the distances between them. AII and AIII longer than broad, AIV broader than long (width 0.54, length 0.47; AIVW/AIVL 1.15). Head capsule and body blackish brown to black; scapes and funiculi light brown; femora and tibiae brown.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Gabon: Prov. Ogooue-Maritime, Res. Monts Doudou, 25.2 km 304° NW Doussala, 2°13.6’S, 10°23.7’E, 14.iii.2000, 640 m. 2246(25), CASENT0004519, beating low vegetation, rainforest (B.L. Fisher).