Nesomyrmex angulatus (Mayr, 1862)

Leptothorax angulatus Mayr, 1862: 739. For type information and synonyms see Bolton (1982). There is some debate on the web (http://antbase.org/ants/africa/nesomyrmex/ nesomyrmex_ angulatus /nesomyrmex_ angulatus.htm - accessed 9 September 2008) over the validity of some of the synonyms but there is no attempt to resolve this here.

Description of worker

HL 0.672-0.811, HW 0.565-0.692, HW1 0.610-0.736, CI 78-87, SL 0.487-0.613, SI 84-92, PW 0.423-0.541, ML 0.785-1.087, EL 0.169-0.197, EI 28-30 (5 of 81 measured).

Description matches that of Bolton (1982) except for few additional characters. Sculpture on the dorsum of head is not only reticulate-punctulate but also with longitudinal striations, which are well defined near the inner margin of the eyes.

Diagnosis

Nesomyrmex angulatus is easily distinguished from other species in the angulatus species-group by the mesosoma, which forms a single, uninterrupted flat surface without any trace of metanotal groove; in the other species, the promesonotum is separated from propodeum by metanotal groove or impression.

Biology

Nests in cavities of dead wood on trees in savanna habitats.

Material examined South Africa: KwaZulu-Natal: St Lucia, 05 August 1945, J.C. Faure, SAM-HYM-C004716; Mkuzi [= Mkuze], 16 May 1946, J.C. Faure, SAM-HYM-C004717; Mkuze Game Reserve, Mantuma Rest Camp, 27°36'S 32°13'E, collected from the nest, 26 February 1988, H.G. Robertson, SAM-HYM-C001007; 4.5 km SW of Golela, 27°20'03"S 31°50'09"E, 20 November 1996, Acacia nilotica, F. Grobbelaar & I.M. Millar, SAM-HYM-C010657; Sordwana, 27°33'S 32°40'E, 20 May 1946, A.R.I., SAM-HYM-C011707; Pongola, [27°23'S 31°37'E], 13 July 1967, Dr Karney, SAM-HYM-C015108; Limpopo: Lapellala [= Lapalala], [23°53'S 20°28'E], ex foragers, M. Villet, SAM-HYM-C 000541; Letaba estate, 23° 51'S 30°18'E, Collected ex nest, 09 February 1988, H.G. Robertson, SAM-HYM-C000937; Nylsvley, 24°40'S 28°43'E, ex foragers, 16 April 1987, H.G. Robertson,SAM-HYM-C000481.Zimbabwe: Khami River, 30 November 1913, G. Arnold, SAM-HYM-C004711; Sawmills, 31 October 1919, SAM-HYM-C004712; Victoria Falls, December 1938, Nat. Museum S. Rhodesia [= National Museum of Southern Rhodesia], SAM-HYM-C004715; Melsetter, 03 October 1950, Nat. Museum S. Rhodesia [= National Museum of Southern Rhodesia], SAM-HYM-C 004718; Zambesi valley,7 kmSEofAngwa Bridge, 16°08'S 30°15'E, 18 June -09 September 1988, J. Weyrich, SAM-HYM-C005668; Kenya: Segera Ranch, Laikipia Plateau, 0°15'N 36°50'E, 25 February 1994, collected in Acacia woodland on black cotton soils, J. Pruetz, SAM-HYM-C 017849; Tanzania: Mkomazi Game Reserve, Pangaro, 3°54'37"S 37°47'05"E, 09 December 1995, Foragers on dead wood of Acacia tree. Open woodland, H.G. Robertson, SAM-HYM-C008655.