Aenictus bidentatus

Identification
The three sibling species found in the decolor complex are almost identical in any morphological aspect except size and relative length of scapes. This fact led GOTWALD & LEROUX (1980) to propose the synonymy between Aenictus batesi, Aenictus bidentatus and Aenictus decolor, although “the type specimens of A. decolor and batesi are larger than those of bidentatus, but in all other characteristics [...] appear identical” (GOTWALD & LEROUX, 1980). Aenictus villiersi could also easily be included in the statement except for its poorly developed subpetiolar process.

Morphometrical analysis regarding SL and HL clearly separates the three species. Aenictus bidentatus is consistently smaller (0.54<HL<0.7) and with smaller scapes (63<SIL<76), while A. decolor is larger (0.7<HL<0.76) with much longer scapes (83<SIL<89). These two species present a developed subpetiolar process with lamella, while the third sibling species A. villiersi is similar in size to A. decolor, but with a small subpetiolar process and very long scapes (95<SIL<102).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Cameroun, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda.

Nomenclature

 * . Aenictus bidentatus Donisthorpe, 1942e: 701 (w.) GHANA.
 * Junior synonym of decolor: Gotwald & Leroux, 1980: 600.
 * Status as species: Gomez, 2022: 19.

Type Material

 * Holotype, GHANA: Tafo. ix-1940, ex. cocoa. Nº 1352 (G.S. Cotterell) (1w) [BMNH(E)1015729, CASENT0902685] BMNH [Examined by Gomez, 2022].
 * Paratypes, same data (3w each) [NHMUK012849178, NHMUK012849179], BMNH [Examined by Gomez, 2022].