Axinidris denticulata

A. denticulatum was described from two workers collected from fire wood. Two additional specimens, collected from swollen stems of Cuviera spp. at Masaki (between Masisi and Walikale, Zaire), were also examined by Wheeler. This species is still known only from the three type specimens. Shattuck (1991) selected as lectotype the only specimen that is in fair condition; the two lectoparatypes are so covered with mold that they are nearly worthless for diagnostic purposes. (Shattuck 1991, Snelling 2007)

Identification
Snelling (2007) - Antennal scape without and pronotum with erect hairs; medial carina present and distance between spines less than PPW; mesonotum without rugae; medial carina rounded in profile; gastral tergum 2 densely punctate.

Shattuck (1991) - A. denticulatum is similar to Axinidris kinoin in the pilosity of the head, pronotum and gaster, the sculpturing of the alitrunk, and the configuration of the propodeal spines and medial carina. However, A. denticulatum differs in having less developed scabriculous sculpturing and fewer punctures on the head, a lighter body and tarsal colour, and smaller size.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Democratic Republic of Congo.

Biology
Wheeler's Ants of Congo (1922:p192) has an account for Tetramorium meressei that states that specimen was collected from a "domatia of a Cuviera (probably C. angolensis), the other swellings of which were occupied by Engramma denticulatum (= A. denticulata)."

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 * . Engramma denticulatum Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 205, fig. 51 (w.) DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO.
 * Combination in Axinidris: Shattuck, 1991: 112; Bolton, 2007a: 120.
 * Status as species: Shattuck, 1991: 112 (redescription); Shattuck, 1994: 9; Bolton, 1995b: 77; Snelling, R.R. 2007: 558.

Worker
Shattuck (1991) - (n=1). OOD 0.30, EL 0.19, HL 0.79, EW 0.10, HW 0.71, CNW 0.05, CND 0.08, SL 0.62, AL 0.91, PpW 0.37, SW 0.25, CI 0.90, CNI 1.53, REL 0.27, ScI 0.88, SpI 1.31.

Propodeal spines directed posteriorly with the area between them fiat; HW between 0.60 and 0.80; CNI >1.50.

Head smooth posteriorly, weakly imbricate and superimposed with widely spaced, weak scabriculous sculpturing anteriorly; area posterior to eyes covered with large, widely spaced shallow punctures. Area near the mandibular insertion with a narrow area of strigulate sculpturing. Head with one pair of erect hairs posterior to the eyes and numerous erect hairs anterior to the posterior margin of the frontal lobes. Erect and suberect hairs absent from the antennal scapes. Pronotum smooth with a few widely-spaced erect hairs. Anterior mesonotum weakly imbricate, posterior and lateral mesonotum and entire propodeum punctate. Propodeal spiracles similar to tridens. Medial propodeal carina slightly expanded dorsally, located just anterior of a line drawn between the propodeal spiracles to just anterior of the petiolar insertion. Propodeal spines directed posteriorly, with the outer surfaces fiat, the distal ends narrower than the width of the propodeum, and the area between them fiat. Erect hairs present on gastric tergites 2, 3 and 4. Body colour reddish brown, with the mandibles and scapes slightly lighter, and the tarsi yellow.

Type Material
Shattuck (1991) - Two worker syntypes from ZAIRE: between Lukolela and Basoko (H. O. Lang) (, [examined]. The worker in MCZ is here designated as LECTOTYPE.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Taylor B. 1978. Ants of the Nigerian Forest Zone (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). II. Formicinae, Dolichoderinae. Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria Research Bulletin 5: 1-57.
 * Wheeler W. M. 1922. Ants of the American Museum Congo expedition. A contribution to the myrmecology of Africa. II. The ants collected by the American Museum Congo Expedition. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 45: 39-269.