Aenictus montivagus Jaitrong & Yamane, 2011, sp. nov.
Creators: name: Jaitrong, Weeyawat
name: Yamane, Seiki
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2011
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Hymenoptera
Formicidae
Aenictus
Aenictus montivagus

description: Aenictus montivagus sp. nov.
(Figs. 54–56)
Types. Holotype worker from Borneo, Sabah, Taman Kinabalu, 1,500 m alt., 7 I 1998, Sk. Yamane leg., SB98- SKY-05 (UMS). Eight paratype workers, same data as holotype (BMNH, SKYC, THNHM) and 12 paratype workers from Borneo, Sabah, Kinabalu Park, 1,600 m alt., 6 II 2001, Sk. Yamane leg., SB01-SKY-03 (SKYC, THNHM).
Measurements. Worker holotype and paratypes (n = 9): TL 3.70–4.00 mm; HL 0.73–0.78 mm; HW 0.63–0.68 mm; SL 0.60–0.68 mm; ML 1.13–1.20 mm; PL 0.28–0.30 mm; CI 87–90; SI 92–100.
Description of worker (holotype and paratypes). Head in full-face view longer than broad, with sides and posterior margin slightly convex; occipital carina complete. Antennal scape relatively short, extending only slightly beyond 2/3 of head length; antennal segments II–X each longer than broad; II almost as long as each of III–VI. Frontal carina very short, not extending beyond the level of posterior margin of torulus. Anterior margin of clypeus bearing 6–7 denticles. Masticatory margin of mandible with a large apical tooth followed by a medium-sized subapical tooth, 4 denticles and a medium-sized basal tooth; basal margin bearing 3–4 smaller teeth. Promesonotum in profile convex dosally; propodeum slightly lower than promesonotum, and its dorsal outline almost straight; propodeal junction roundly angulate; declivity of propodeum shallowly concave, encircled with a very thin rim. Petiole distinctly longer than high, dorsally weakly convex; subpetiolar process weakly developed and low, its apex directed downward; postpetiole distinctly shorter than petiole.
Head including mandible and antennal scape entirely smooth and shiny. Pronotum smooth and shiny, with its anteriormost portion punctate; mesothorax, metapleuron and propodeum entirely sculptured, the sculpture comprising ca. 20 fine longitudinal rugulae, but often with dense punctures; a small smooth area present near spiracle. Petiole and postpetiole entirely smooth. Legs entirely smooth and shiny.
Hairs on dorsa of head and pronotum more abundant than in other species; mesonotum and propodeum dorsally with several standing hairs; longest pronotal hair 0.23–0.25 mm long. Entire body dark reddish-brown. Typhlatta spot smaller than in other species, located anterior to occipital corner.
Etymology. The specific name is an adjective pertaining wondering in the mountain.
Distribution. Borneo (Sabah) (Fig. 64).
Bionimics. Judging from the type series and non-type material examined this species inhabits highland forests (1000–1600 m alt.). Most colonies were encountered in the daytime.
Remarks. This species is most similar to A. hodgsoni in body shape but can be distinguished from it as follows: mesopleuron, metapleuron and propodeum entirely sculptured, with about 20 fine longitudinal rugulae, except for a small smooth area above the propodeal spiracle (dorsal face of propodeum more extensively smooth and shiny in the latter); subpetiolar process weakly developed and low (well developed and triangular in the latter); declivity of propodeum encircled with a very thin rim (declivity without a rim and seen from back tapering above in the latter); legs entirely smooth and shiny (femora extensively superficially reticulate and shiny, and tibiae very finely reticulate in the latter).
description: Published as part of Jaitrong, Weeyawat & Yamane, Seiki, 2011, Synopsis of Aenictus species groups and revision of the A. curra x and A. laeviceps groups in the eastern Oriental, Indo-Australian, and Australasian regions (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Aenictinae), pp. 1-46 in Zootaxa 3128 on page 41, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.207090