Aenictus peguensis

No biological information is available for A. peguensis. However, judging from the type locality and the locality of non-type material examined this species inhabits lowlands.

Identification
Aenictus peguensis is most similar in general appearance to Aenictus subterraneus but is distinguished from the latter as follows: distinctly larger than the latter (total length 2.95–3.25mm, head width 0.52–0.60mm in A. peguensis; total length 2.10–2.15mm, head width 0.48–0.50mm in the latter); propodeal junction angulated, right-angled (roundly angulated in the latter); with head in full-face view posterior margin convex (feebly concave in the latter).

Distribution
This taxon was described from Myanmar. It is also known from Vietnam.

Nomenclature

 *  peguensis. Aenictus peguensis Emery, 1895k: 452 (w.) MYANMAR. Subspecies of ceylonicus: Forel, 1901a: 477. Revived status as species: Bingham, 1903: 22. See also: Wilson, 1964a: 472.

Type Material




Worker
Jaitrong and Hashimoto (2012) - Measurements. Lectotype: TL 3.25 mm; HL 0.73 mm; HW 0.60 mm; SL 0.48 mm; ML 1.00 mm; PL 0.23 mm; CI 83; SI 79. Paralectotypes (n = 5): TL 2.95–3.15 mm; HL 0.60–0.70 mm; HW 0.52–0.58 mm; SL 0.40–0.45 mm; ML 0.88–0.95 mm; PL 0.20–0.23 mm; CI 82–96; SI 74–79.

Lectotype and paralectotypes - Head in full-face view slightly longer than broad, with convex sides and feebly convex posterior margin; occipital margin bearing a carina. Antennal scape reaching midlength of head; antennal segments II–X each longer than broad; II and III slenderer than IV–VI; terminal segment almost as long as VII+VIII+IX and 2.4 times as long as broad. Frontal carina short, posteriorly fused to form a single carina, slightly extending beyond the level of posterior margin of torulus. Masticatory margin of mandible with a large apical tooth followed by a medium–sized subapical tooth, 5–6 denticles, and a medium-sized basal tooth; basal margin with 4–5 small denticles. Promesonotum in profile strongly convex dorsally and sloping gradually to metanotal groove; metapleural gland bulla relatively small and transparent; distance between propodeal spiracle and metapleural gland bulla clearly longer than spiracular diameter (Fig. 5E). Propodeum in profile with convex dorsal outline; propodeal junction right-angled; declivity of propodeum seen from back convergent above. Petiole excluding subpetiolar process shorter than high, with its dorsal outline convex; subpetiolar process rather developed, with a sharply pointed lamellate appendage directed downward. Postpetiole clearly shorter than petiole, its dorsal outline convex.

Head including mandible and antennal scape smooth and shiny; basal portion of scape finely sculptured. Entire pronotum smooth and shiny except for its anteriormost portion punctate; mesothorax, petiole, and postpetiole entirely punctate but metapleuron at least partly impunctate. Legs entirely smooth and shiny. Head and mesosoma dorsally with relatively sparse standing hairs mixed with sparse short hairs over the surface; longest pronotal hair 0.18–0.23 mm long. Head, pronotum and gaster yelwish-brown; methothrax, propodeum, waist darker and often slightly reddish.

Additional References

 * Jaitrong, W. & Hashimoto, Y. 2012. Revision of the Aenictus minutulus species group (Hymenoptera Formicidae Aenictinae) from Southeast Asia. Zootaxa 3426, 29-44.