Cataulacus latus

Apparently all that is known of the biology of this interesting species is the report of Wroughton (1892) that the species nests in hollow tree branches and that the nest which he examined contained 'the pupae of some kind of Lycaena (?)' which he was unable to rear through to the imago. (Bolton 1974)

Identification
The large size, relatively small eyes and broad head serve to distinguish this species from others of the taprobanae-group. It also differs by the presence of a frontal groove and is separable from its closest relative, latissimus, by the absence of gastral margination and flange-like lateral expansions of the pronotum. (Bolton 1974)

Distribution
This taxon was described from India.

Nomenclature

 *  latus. Cataulacus latus Forel, 1891b: 144 (m.) INDIA. Forel, 1903a: 706 (w., in key); Bingham, 1903: 122 (q.). See also: Bolton, 1974a: 78.

Worker
Bolton (1974) - TL 5.4 – 7.5, HL 1.38 – 1.74, HW 1.66 – 2.23, CI 120 - 131, EL 0.36 – 0.46, OI 19 - 22, SL 0.68 – 0.82, SI 37 - 41, IOD 1.36 – 1.82, PW 1.28 – 1.86, AL 1.42 – 2.00, MTL 0.90 – 1.18 (10 measured).

Frontal groove usually distinct from the apex of the frontal triangle to the level of the anterior margins of the eyes, its track marked by an impression or a polished strip of cuticle. Occipital crest marked out by a row of denticles of which the first (outer) is the largest, often as large as the denticle at the occipital corner. The crest is usually incomplete medially, and this gap appears to be relatively broader in smaller individuals than in larger ones. Sides of head behind eyes denticulate. Eyes relatively small; ocelli usually absent but one or two may be developed. Lateral margins of pronotum denticulate, also with one or two denticles on the mesonotal and propodeal margins and on the outer edges of the propodeal spines. A break in denticulation coupled with a V- or U-shaped impression is present between pro- and mesonotum and the latter and the propodeum in dorsal view. Propodeal spines well developed. Gaster not marginate laterally.

Sculpturation of head basically a fine, dense reticulate-puncturation with scattered larger punctures distributed over the frons and vertex. Behind the eye and between it and the occipital corner a fine rugoreticulum is present. Dorsum of alitrunk finely longitudinally rugose or reticulate-rugose, with an overlying fine, dense reticulate-puncturation. Gaster finely and densely reticulate-punctate with numerous very fine, broken longitudinal rugulae.

Dorsal surfaces of head and alitrunk without hairs or (usually) with a few minute, flattened hairs, not easily seen. Lateral margins of head and alitrunk with short, blunt hairs, also present on the pedicel, gaster and appendages.

Queen
Bolton (1974) - TL 9.2 – 10.4, HL 1.84 – 1.90, HW 2.10 – 2.20, CI 110 - 119, EL 0.46 – 0.50, OI 21 - 24, IOD 1.74 – 1.82, SL ca 0.84, SI ca 39, PW 1.90 – 2.04, AL 2.60 – 2.84, MTL 1.16 – 1.23 (6 measured).

Similar to worker but with the frontal groove better developed, usually distinct to the level of the anterior ocellus. Denticles of the occipital crest indistinct except for the first (outermost) in the series on each side; the denticles of the sides of the head behind the eyes very much reduced or absent. Sculpturation of head as worker but with distinct rugae behind the eyes. Mesoscutum and scutellum with rather coarse but flattened longitudinal rugae overlaid with a fine, dense reticulate-puncturation. Propodeal spines much reduced. Arrangement of hairs similar to worker but the dorsum of the pronotum with short hairs present, particularly in a transverse row just anterior to the promesonotal suture.

Male
Bolton (1974) - TL 6.0 – 7.0, HL 1.14 – 1.26, HW 1.34 – 1.60, CI 117 - 131, EL 0.40 – 0.44, OI 26 - 29, IOD 1.16 – 1.30, SL 0.68 – 0.76, SI 45 - 50, PW 1.22 – 1.45, AL 1.84 – 2.14 (3 measured).

Frontal groove distinct as strip of polished cuticle running from the apex of the frontal triangle to the anterior (median) ocellus. Sides of head behind eyes denticulate, terminating in a larger tooth at the occipital corner. Mesad of this lie the denticles marking the occipital crest, the first being distinctly the largest of the series. Anterior arms of notauli distinct, with coarse cross-ribs, the spaces between which are shiny. Posterior arm less well developed. Parapsidal furrows present on the posterior half of the sclerite as polished strips of cuticle. Margins of pronotum jagged; propodeal spines absent, replaced by a pair of acute angles. Dorsum of head, alitrunk and petiole with a fine rugoreticulum, the interspaces sharply and densely reticulate-punctate; the rugoreticulum best defined on the head, propodeum and petiole, less distinct on the thorax proper. Gaster finely and densely reticulate-punctate with a few radiating basigastric costulae. Parameres dorsoventrally flattened, the exposed portions smooth and shiny. Dorsal surfaces of head, alitrunk and gaster equipped with erect hairs.

Type Material
Bolton (1974) - Syntype males, INDIA: Poona, 16.vi.18go (R. C. Wroughton) (MHN, Geneva) [examined].

Note on the types. Although Forel only made mention of the male in his original description of this species, the type-series (in MHN, Geneva) also includes three females with the same data as the males. These males and females bear a red 'typus' label and this is most probably the series referred to by Wroughton (1892 : 178) as '120. Cat. latus (Forel MS). Poona Dists. 14.6.90, worker, male, female'. The workers from this series appear to be lost and there is a two day discrepancy in the data label date on the specimens from that given by Wroughton. However, this must be considered as the complete type-series.

Bearing yellow 'cotypus' labels are three females and three workers from Kanara, LVI/6 (Wroughton) and three more males from Poona (Wroughton). Three more workers from this Kanara series are in USNM, Washington bearing a red 'cotype' label and a note stating 'not a type?' signed M.R.S. (M. R. Smith?). These specimens from series LVI/6 are not types, in any sense of the word.