Corresponding author: Francisco Hita Garcia (
Academic editor: M. Borowiec
In this study we synonymise the genus
Hita Garcia F, Fisher BL (2014) The ant genus
The genus
In this study we propose
The collection abbreviations follow
The Natural History Museum (British Museum, Natural History), London, U.K.
California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, U.S.A.
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, U.S.A.
Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle de la Ville de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France
Museo Civico di Storia Naturale “Giacomo Doria”, Genova, Italy
Naturhistorisches Museum, Basel, Switzerland
National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig, Bonn, Germany
Most of the material examined in this study is located in the
Head length: maximum distance from the midpoint of the anterior clypeal margin to the midpoint of the posterior margin of head, measured in full-face view. Impressions on the anterior clypeal margin and the posterior head margin reduce head length.
Head width: width of the head directly behind the eyes measured in full-face view.
Scape length: maximum scape length excluding basal condyle and neck.
Eye length: maximum diameter of compound eye measured in oblique lateral view.
Pronotal width: maximum width of the pronotum measured in dorsal view.
Weber’s length: diagonal length of the mesosoma in lateral view from the posteroventral margin of propodeal lobe to the anterior-most point of pronotal slope, excluding the neck.
Propodeal spine length: the tip of the measured spine, its base, and the centre of the propodeal concavity between the spines must all be in focus. Using a dual-axis micrometer the spine length is measured from the tip of the spine to a virtual point at its base where the spine axis meets orthogonally with a line leading to the median point of the concavity.
Petiolar node height: maximum height of the petiolar node measured in lateral view from the highest (median) point of the node to the ventral outline. The measuring line is placed at an orthogonal angle to the ventral outline of the node.
Petiolar node length: maximum length of the dorsal face of the petiolar node from the anterodorsal to the posterodorsal angle, measured in dorsal view excluding the peduncle.
Petiolar node width: maximum width of the dorsal face of the petiolar node measured in dorsal view.
Postpetiole height: maximum height of the postpetiole measured in lateral view from the highest (median) point of the node to the ventral outline. The measuring line is placed at an orthogonal angle to the ventral outline of the node.
Postpetiole length: maximum length of the postpetiole measured in dorsal view.
Postpetiole width: maximum width of the postpetiole measured in dorsal view.
Ocular index: EL / HW * 100
Cephalic index: HW / HL * 100
Scape index: SL / HW * 100
Dorsal mesosoma index: PW / WL * 100
Lateral mesosoma index: PH / WL * 100
Propodeal spine index: PSL / HL * 100
Petiolar node index: PTW / PW * 100
Lateral petiole index: PTL / PTH * 100
Dorsal petiole index: PTW / PTL * 100
Postpetiolar node index: PPW / PW * 100
Lateral postpetiole index: PPL / PPH * 100
Dorsal postpetiole index: PPW / PPL * 100
Postpetiole index: PPW / PTW * 100
Pubescence and pilosity are often of high diagnostic value within the genus
As outlined in the introduction, in the past various authors expressed very different opinions about the status of
As outlined above, the antennomere count was the main diagnostic character qualifying
In what is now considered to be
This is further supported by the presence of a very small species from India that possesses 10-segmented antennae:
The reduced clypeal shield seen in
Anterior head showing varying development of the clypeal shield.
The mandibular dentition of
If one considers the whole tribe
Head in full-face view and body in profile.
We do not intend to go into details of male morphology here, but so far there is not a single character that would separate the males of
In addition to our morphological analysis above, there is also molecular evidence supporting the synonymisation of
Ten-segmented antennae; antennal scape relatively short (SI 67–76); anterior clypeal margin with distinct but often shallow impression; frontal carinae strongly developed and noticeably raised, forming dorsal margin of very well-developed antennal scrobes, curving down ventrally and anteriorly halfway between posterior eye margin and posterior head margin and forming posterior and usually ventral scrobe margins; antennal scrobes very well developed, deep and usually with clearly defined margins all around, median scrobal carina absent; eyes relatively large (OI 32–40); mesosoma relatively flat, low, and elongated, margination between lateral and dorsal mesosoma moderately developed (LMI 33–38); propodeum armed with short triangular to elongate-triangular teeth (PSLI 9–19); propodeal lobes short, rounded to triangular; tibiae and femorae strongly swollen; petiolar node nodiform with moderately rounded antero- and posterodorsal margins, petiolar dorsum weakly to strongly convex, node in profile between 1.0 to 1.3 times higher than long (LPeI 77–100), node in dorsal view around 1.1 to 1.3 times longer than wide (DPeI 76–92); postpetiole in profile globular, around 1.1 to 1.4 times higher than long (LPpI 71–88); mandibles and clypeus unsculptured, smooth, and shiny; sculpture on cephalic dorsum between frontal carinae and dorsal mesosoma variable, ranging from unsculptured, smooth, and shiny to longitudinally rugose/rugulose, often punctate or puncticulate; petiole usually weakly sculptured, postpetiole unsculptured to weakly sculptured; gaster unsculptured, smooth, and shiny; pilosity greatly reduced, head with several pairs of standing hairs, mesosoma with one pair, waist segments sometimes with one long pair each, and sometimes first gastral tergite with one pair; sting appendage triangular.
The
Map of sub-Saharan Africa showing the known distribution ranges of the five members of the
The separation of the
1 | Dorsum of promesonotum with conspicuous longitudinally rugose/rugulose sculpture ( |
2 |
– | Dorsum of promesonotum unsculptured, smooth, and usually very shiny ( |
3 |
2 | Slightly smaller species (WL 0.88–0.93); propodeum armed with shorter, triangular, and acute teeth (PSLI 10–11); dorsum of promesonotum longitudinally rugulose with very little ground sculpture, lateral pronotum mostly unsculptured and shiny, only dorsally longitudinally rugulose; generally of uniform dark brown colour; rainforest species ( |
|
– | Slightly larger species (WL 0.98–1.06); propodeum armed with longer, triangular to elongate-triangular, and acute teeth (PSLI 16–18); dorsum of promesonotum and lateral pronotum strongly longitudinally rugose with distinct punctate ground sculpture; strongly bicoloured species with dark brown or black gaster contrasting with light brown to reddish brown on remainder of body; savannah species ( |
|
3 | Generally larger species (WL 1.02–1.16); propodeal teeth relatively longer (PSLI 17–19); petiolar node in profile relatively higher, in profile 1.2 to 1.3 times higher than long (LPeI 77–82); strongly bicoloured species with dark brown or black gaster contrasting with light brown to reddish brown remainder of body ( |
|
– | Generally smaller species (WL 0.85–0.98); propodeal teeth relatively shorter (PSLI 9–13); petiolar node relatively lower, in profile around 1.0 to 1.2 times higher than long (LPeI 86–100); usually of uniform brown colour, if bicoloured, then only slightly so and never as well developed as above ( |
4 |
4 | Smaller eyes (OI 33–36); body colouration uniformly light brown to chestnut brown ( |
|
– | Larger eyes (OI 37–40); body colouration uniformly dark brown to black, always darker than above ( |
|
Mesosoma in dorsal view.
Body in profile and mesosoma in dorsal view.
Body in profile.
Head and body in profile.
[Note: the GPS data of the type locality was not provided by the locality label or the original description. The data presented above is based on our own geo-referencing of the town of Redbank located in the Matabeleland North Province. Consequently, the location should be considered as an approximation and not the exact position of the type locality.]
KENYA: Coastal Province, Malindi District, Arabuko Sokoke Forest,
Head much longer than wide (CI 83–85); posterior head margin weakly concave. Anterior clypeal margin with distinct, but often shallow median impression. Frontal carinae strongly developed and noticeably raised forming dorsal margin of very well-developed antennal scrobes, curving down ventrally and anteriorly halfway between posterior eye margin and posterior head margin and forming posterior and parts of ventral scrobe margins; antennal scrobes very well developed, deep and with clearly defined margins, but ventral margin less strongly developed, median scrobal carina absent. Antennal scapes short, not reaching posterior head margin (SI 70–76). Eyes very large (OI 32–34). Mesosomal outline in profile flat to weakly convex, relatively low and elongate (LMI 32–34), moderately to strongly marginate from lateral to dorsal mesosoma; promesonotal suture absent; metanotal groove present, distinct, and clearly impressed. Propodeal spines short, elongate-triangular, and moderately acute (PSLI 17–19), propodeal lobes short, triangular, and usually blunt, always significantly shorter than propodeal spines. Tibiae and femorae strongly swollen. Petiolar node nodiform with moderately rounded antero- and posterodorsal margins, around 1.2 to 1.3 times higher than long (LPeI 77–82), anterior and posterior faces approximately parallel, anterodorsal and posterodorsal margins situated at about the same height, petiolar dorsum clearly convex; node in dorsal view between 1.1 to 1.2 times longer than wide (DPeI 85–92), in dorsal view pronotum around 2.0 to 2.2 times wider than petiolar node (PeNI 46–51). Postpetiole in profile globular to subglobular, approximately 1.3 to 1.4 times higher than long (LPpI 71–77); in dorsal view around 1.3 to 1.4 times wider than long (DPpI 128–138), pronotum between 1.3 to 1.5 times wider than postpetiole (PpNI 67–76). Postpetiole in profile usually appearing less voluminous than petiolar node, postpetiole in dorsal view around 1.4 to 1.5 times wider than petiolar node (PPI 143–149). Mandibles and clypeus usually fully unsculptured, smooth, and shining, mandibles sometimes with few traces of rugulae apically; cephalic dorsum between frontal carinae mostly unsculptured and shiny, median ruga present and distinct, cephalic dorsum also puncticulate to punctate throughout its length, posteriorly close to posterior head margin especially pronounced; scrobal area partly unsculptured, smooth and shiny and partly merging with surrounding rugose sculpture on sides of head. Ground sculpture on head usually weak to absent. Dorsum of mesosoma mostly unsculptured, smooth and shiny with scattered punctures, rarely with few traces of rugulae; lateral mesosoma longitudinally rugose and very conspicuously reticulate-punctate except for mostly unsculptured lateral pronotum and katepisternum. Forecoxae unsculptured, smooth, and shining. Petiolar node and postpetiole superficially longitudinally rugulose or irregularly rugulose superimposed on conspicuous but relatively weak reticulate-punctate ground sculpture. Mesosoma and waist segments appearing mostly matt. First gastral tergite unsculptured, smooth, and shiny. Pilosity and pubescence greatly reduced: head with few pairs of moderately long, standing hairs, anterior pronotum with one long pair, waist segments sometimes with one long pair each, and sometimes first gastral tergite with one long pair; appressed pubescence present everywhere on body, but noticeable only on antennae, cephalic dorsum, legs, and first gastral tergite. Anterior edges of antennal scapes and dorsal (outer) surfaces of hind tibiae with appressed hairs. Body strongly bicoloured with dark brown to black gaster contrasting with light brown to reddish brown remainder.
The distribution range of
Based on the available material we did not observe any significant form of intraspecific variation in
[Note: the GPS data of the type locality was not provided by the locality label. The data presented above is based on our own geo-referencing of the Bakundu Forest located in the province Sud-Ouest. Consequently, it should be considered an approximation and not the exact position of the type locality.]
CAMEROON: Sud-Ouest, Bakundu,
Head much longer than wide (CI 80–83); posterior head margin weakly concave. Anterior clypeal margin with distinct but often shallow median impression. Frontal carinae strongly developed and noticeably raised forming dorsal margin of very well-developed antennal scrobes, curving down ventrally and anteriorly halfway between posterior eye margin and posterior head margin and forming posterior and ventral scrobe margins; antennal scrobes very well developed, deep and with clearly defined margins all around, median scrobal carina absent. Antennal scapes short, far from reaching posterior head margin (SI 70–73). Eyes relatively large (OI 35). Mesosomal outline in profile relatively flat, elongate and low (LMI 35–37), moderately to strongly marginate from lateral to dorsal mesosoma; promesonotal suture absent; metanotal groove present and conspicuous, but relatively shallow. Propodeum armed with short, triangular, and usually acute teeth (PSLI 10–11), propodeal lobes short, well rounded, and usually larger than propodeal teeth. Petiolar node nodiform with moderately rounded antero- and posterodorsal margins, in profile around 1.1 times higher than long (LPeI 89–93), anterior and posterior faces approximately parallel, anterodorsal and posterodorsal margins situated at about same height and equally angled, petiolar dorsum weakly convex; node in dorsal view around 1.2 to 1.3 times longer than wide (DPeI 80–85), in dorsal view pronotum around 2.0 to 2.2 times wider than petiolar node (PeNI 47–51). Postpetiole in profile globular, approximately 1.1 to 1.2 times higher than long (LPpI 81–88); in dorsal view around 1.2 and 1.3 times wider than long (DPpI 123–130), pronotum around 1.4 to 1.6 times wider than postpetiole (PpNI 64–70). Postpetiole in profile appearing less voluminous than petiolar node, postpetiole in dorsal view around 1.4 to 1.5 times wider than petiolar node (PPI 137–150). Mandibles and clypeus unsculptured, smooth, and shining; cephalic dorsum between frontal carinae with fine irregularly longitudinally rugulose sculpture, rugulae running from posterior clypeal margin to posterior head margin, often interrupted or meandering, rarely with cross-meshes, cephalic dorsum also puncticulate to punctate throughout its length, otherwise without ground sculptured; scrobal area partly unsculptured, smooth and shiny and partly strongly reticulate-punctate; lateral head mainly reticulate-rugose with weak to moderately well developed punctate ground sculpture. Dorsum of mesosoma densely longitudinally rugulose, anteriorly without much ground sculpture, posteriorly on top of strong reticulate-punctate ground sculpture; lateral pronotum and katepisternum mostly unsculptured, smooth, and shiny, remainder of lateral mesosoma irregularly rugose and very conspicuously reticulate-punctate. Forecoxae unsculptured, smooth, and shining. Petiolar node laterally reticulate-punctate, dorsum of node mostly unsculptured, smooth, and shiny; postpetiole mostly unsculptured, smooth, and shiny with scattered punctures. First gastral tergite unsculptured, smooth, and shiny. Pilosity and pubescence greatly reduced: head with few pairs of moderately long, standing hairs, anterior pronotum with one long pair, waist segments sometimes with one long pair each, and sometimes first gastral tergite with one long pair; appressed pubescence present everywhere on body, but noticeable only on antennae, cephalic dorsum, legs, and first gastral tergite. Anterior edges of antennal scapes and dorsal (outer) surfaces of hind tibiae with appressed hairs. Body uniformly dark brown to black, appendages of lighter brown.
The name of the new species is Latin and means “thief, robber, or plunderer”. It refers to the predaceous lifestyle of
Based on material from the two known localities, there is no intraspecific variation in
[Note: GPS data for neither of the type localities was included on the locality labels or the original descriptions. The data presented above is based on our own geo-referencing of Vankerhovenville located in Province Orientale and Kéoulenta located in the Nzérékoré Region. Consequently, they should be considered approximations and not the exact positions of the type localities.]
GHANA: Greater Accra Region, Accra Metropolis District, Legon, 23.VIII.1972 (
The following character combination separates
Head much longer than wide (CI 80–83); posterior head margin weakly concave. Anterior clypeal margin with distinct, but often shallow median impression. Frontal carinae strongly developed and noticeably raised forming dorsal margin of very well-developed antennal scrobes, curving down ventrally and anteriorly halfway between posterior eye margin and posterior head margin and forming posterior and ventral scrobe margins; antennal scrobes very well developed, deep and with clearly defined margins, but ventral margin less strongly developed, median scrobal carina absent. Antennal scapes short, far from reaching posterior head margin (SI 69–74). Eyes relatively large (OI 34–35). Mesosomal outline in profile relatively flat, elongate and low (LMI 35–37), moderately to strongly marginate from lateral to dorsal mesosoma; promesonotal suture absent; metanotal groove present, distinct, but relatively shallow. Propodeum armed with short, triangular to elongate-triangular, and acute teeth (PSLI 16–18), propodeal lobes reduced, short, and well rounded, usually shorter than propodeal teeth. Tibiae and femorae strongly swollen. Petiolar node nodiform with moderately rounded antero- and posterodorsal margins, in profile around 1.1 times higher than long (LPeI 88–93), anterior and posterior faces approximately parallel, anterodorsal and posterodorsal margins situated at about same height and equally angled, petiolar dorsum clearly convex; node in dorsal view around 1.2 to 1.3 times longer than wide (DPeI 77–81), in dorsal view pronotum between 2.0 and 2.1 times wider than petiolar node (PeNI 48–49). Postpetiole in profile globular, approximately 1.2 to 1.3 times higher than long (LPpI 75–86); in dorsal view between 1.2 and 1.3 times wider than long (DPpI 122–125), pronotum around 1.4 times wider than postpetiole (PpNI 69–70). Postpetiole in profile more or less of same volume as petiolar node, postpetiole in dorsal view around 1.4 times wider than petiolar node (PPI 141–145). Mandibles and clypeus unsculptured, smooth, and shining; cephalic dorsum between frontal carinae with fine irregularly longitudinally rugulose/rugose sculpture, rugulae/rugae often interrupted, meandering, or with cross-meshes, cephalic dorsum also puncticulate to punctate throughout its length; scrobal area strongly reticulate-punctate; lateral head mainly reticulate-rugose with weak to moderately well developed punctate ground sculpture. Ground sculpture on head usually weak, except scrobal area (see above). Dorsum of mesosoma densely longitudinally rugose on top of strong punctate ground sculpture; lateral mesosoma longitudinally rugose and very conspicuously reticulate-punctate. Forecoxae unsculptured, smooth, and shining. Petiolar node and postpetiole superficially longitudinally rugulose or irregularly rugulose superimposed on conspicuous but relatively weak reticulate-punctate ground sculpture. Mesosoma and waist segments appearing matt. First gastral tergite unsculptured, smooth, and shiny. Pilosity and pubescence greatly reduced: head with few pairs of moderately long, standing hairs, anterior pronotum with one long pair, waist segments sometimes with one long pair each, and sometimes first gastral tergite with one long pair; appressed pubescence present everywhere on body, but noticeable only on antennae, cephalic dorsum, legs, and first gastral tergite. Anterior edges of antennal scapes and dorsal (outer) surfaces of hind tibiae with appressed hairs. Body strongly bicoloured with dark brown to black gaster contrasting with light brown to reddish brown remainder.
So far,
Despite the broad distribution range, we did not observe any significant intraspecific variation in
[Note: the GPS data of the type locality was not provided by the locality label or the original description. The data presented above is based on our own geo-referencing of the Shiloh locality located in Matabeleland North province. Consequently, it should be considered an approximation and not the exact position of the type locality.]
MOZAMBIQUE: Sofala Province, Gorongosa National Park, Limestone Gorge,
Head much longer than wide (CI 77–82); posterior head margin weakly concave. Anterior clypeal margin with distinct, but often shallow median impression. Frontal carinae strongly developed and noticeably raised forming dorsal margin of very well-developed antennal scrobes, curving down ventrally and anteriorly halfway between posterior eye margin and posterior head margin and forming posterior and ventral scrobe margins; antennal scrobes very well developed, deep and with clearly defined margins all around, median scrobal carina absent. Antennal scapes short, not reaching posterior head margin (SI 67–73). Eyes very large (OI 33–36). Mesosomal outline in profile relatively flat, long and low (LMI 32–35), moderately marginate from lateral to dorsal mesosoma; promesonotal suture absent; metanotal groove present and distinct, but relatively shallow. Propodeum armed with short, triangular, and mostly blunt teeth (PSLI 10–13), propodeal lobes short, triangular, and usually blunt, in profile usually longer and more voluminous than propodeal spines. Tibiae and femorae strongly swollen. Petiolar node nodiform with moderately rounded antero- and posterodorsal margins, in profile around 1.1 to 1.2 times higher than long (LPeI 86–92), anterior and posterior faces approximately parallel, anterodorsal and posterodorsal margins situated at about same height and equally angled, petiolar dorsum weakly convex; node in dorsal view around 1.1 to 1.2 times longer than wide (DPeI 79–86), in dorsal view pronotum between 2.0 to 2.2 times wider than petiolar node (PeNI 46–50). Postpetiole in profile globular, approximately 1.2 to 1.4 times higher than long (LPpI 73–81); in dorsal view around 1.3 times wider than long (DPpI 126–132), pronotum approximately 1.4 to 1.5 times wider than postpetiole (PpNI 60–71). Postpetiole in profile appearing less voluminous than petiolar node, postpetiole in dorsal view between 1.3 to 1.5 times wider than petiolar node (PPI 130–145). Mandibles and clypeus usually fully unsculptured, smooth, and shining; cephalic dorsum between frontal carinae mostly unsculptured and shiny, median ruga present and distinct, cephalic dorsum also puncticulate to punctate throughout its length, close to posterior head margin especially pronounced; scrobal area unsculptured, smooth, and very shiny; lateral head ventral of antennal scrobe mainly reticulate-rugose; ground sculpture on head usually weak to absent. Dorsum of mesosoma mostly unsculptured, smooth, and shiny with scattered punctures, rarely with few traces of rugulae; lateral mesosoma mostly unsculptured and shiny, posteriorly irregularly rugose and conspicuously reticulate-punctate. Petiolar node and postpetiole only weakly sculptured, laterally usually superficially rugulose and punctate on lower half and more unsculptured on upper half, node dorsally mostly smooth; postpetiole mostly unsculptured, smooth, and shiny with scattered punctures. First gastral tergite unsculptured, smooth, and shiny. Pilosity and pubescence greatly reduced: head with few pairs of moderately long, standing hairs, anterior pronotum with one long pair, waist segments sometimes with one long pair each, and sometimes first gastral tergite with one long pair; appressed pubescence present everywhere on body, but noticeable only on antennae, cephalic dorsum, legs, and first gastral tergite. Anterior edges of antennal scapes and dorsal (outer) surfaces of hind tibiae with appressed hairs. Body uniformly brown, appendages often lighter.
Since
Based on the available material, we did not observe any intraspecific variation in
Holotype, pinned worker, KENYA, Western Kenya, Kakamega Forest, Bunyala Forest Fragment,
CAMEROON: Centre, Mbalmayo, 1.XI.1993 (
(N=25). HL 0.64–0.71 (0.67); HW 0.51–0.59 (0.54); SL 0.38–0.43 (0.40); EL 0.19–0.22 (0.21); PH 0.30–0.36 (0.32); PW 0.39–0.45 (0.41); WL 0.87–0.98 (0.92); PSL 0.06–0.09 (0.07); PTL 0.23–0.26 (0.25); PTH 0.25–0.29 (0.26); PTW 0.18–0.22 (0.20); PPL 0.21–0.25 (0.22); PPH 0.25–0.30 (0.26); PPW 0.25–0.30 (0.26); CI 79–83 (81); SI 70–75 (74); OI 37–40 (38); DMI 43–46 (44); LMI 33–37 (35); PSLI 9–12 (10); PeNI 45–51 (48); LPeI 90–100 (93); DPeI 76–85 (80); PpNI 63–67 (65); LPpI 80–86 (84); DPpI 115–124 (119); PPI 130–144 (135).
Head much longer than wide (CI 79–83); posterior head margin weakly concave. Anterior clypeal margin with distinct, but often shallow median impression. Frontal carinae strongly developed and noticeably raised forming dorsal margin of very well-developed antennal scrobes, curving down ventrally and anteriorly halfway between posterior eye margin and posterior head margin and forming posterior and ventral scrobe margins; antennal scrobes very well developed, deep and with clearly defined margins all around, median scrobal carina absent. Antennal scapes short, not reaching posterior head margin (SI 70–75). Eyes very large (37–40). Mesosomal outline in profile relatively flat, long and low (LMI 33–37), moderately marginate from lateral to dorsal mesosoma; promesonotal suture absent; metanotal groove present and distinct, but relatively shallow. Propodeum armed with very short, triangular, and moderately acute teeth (PSLI 9–12), propodeal lobes short, triangular to rounded, and usually blunt, in profile more or less of same length as propodeal teeth and appearing more voluminous than propodeal spines. Tibiae and femorae strongly swollen. Petiolar node nodiform with moderately rounded antero- and posterodorsal margins, in profile between 1.0 to 1.2 times higher than long (LPeI 90–100), anterior and posterior faces approximately parallel, anterodorsal and posterodorsal margins situated at about same height and equally angled, petiolar dorsum usually conspicuously convex, sometimes only weakly so; node in dorsal view around 1.2 to 1.3 times longer than wide (DPeI 76–85), in dorsal view pronotum between 2.0 to 2.2 times wider than petiolar node (PeNI 45–51). Postpetiole in profile globular, approximately 1.2 times higher than long (LPpI 80–86); in dorsal view around 1.2 times wider than long (DPpI 115–124), pronotum approximately 1.5 to 1.6 times wider than postpetiole (PpNI 63–67). Postpetiole in profile appearing less voluminous than petiolar node, postpetiole in dorsal view between 1.3 to 1.5 times wider than petiolar node (PPI 130–144). Mandibles and clypeus usually fully unsculptured, smooth, and shining; cephalic dorsum between frontal carinae mostly unsculptured and shiny, median ruga present and distinct, cephalic dorsum also puncticulate to punctate across its length, close to posterior head margin especially pronounced; scrobal area unsculptured, smooth and very shiny; lateral head ventral of antennal scrobe mainly reticulate-rugose; ground sculpture on head usually weak to absent. Dorsum of mesosoma mostly unsculptured, smooth and shiny with scattered punctures, rarely with few traces of rugulae; lateral mesosoma mostly unsculptured and shiny, posteriorly irregularly rugose and conspicuously reticulate-punctate. Petiolar node and postpetiole only weakly sculptured, laterally usually superficially rugulose and punctate on lower half and more unsculptured on upper half, node dorsally mostly smooth; postpetiole mostly unsculptured, smooth and shiny with scattered punctures. First gastral tergite unsculptured, smooth, and shiny. Pilosity and pubescence greatly reduced: head with few pairs of moderately long, standing hairs, anterior pronotum with one long pair, waist segments sometimes with one long pair each, and sometimes first gastral tergite with one long pair; appressed pubescence present everywhere on body, but noticeable only on antennae, cephalic dorsum, legs, and first gastral tergite. Anterior edges of antennal scapes and dorsal (outer) surfaces of hind tibiae with appressed hairs. Head, mesosoma, waist segments, and gaster uniformly very dark brown to black, appendages of lighter brown.
The name of the new species is Latin and means “hunter” referring to the predatory lifestyle of
Despite being common and collected fairly often prior to this study, most of the material of
The abovementioned very large eyes of
Furthermore,
Intriguingly, even though
First we thank Michele Esposito from CAS for her help with image processing and databasing. We are also indebted to Dr. Georg Fischer from CAS for his general help with Afrotropical ants and the good time in the field with FHG. He also collected and processed a good number of specimens from East Africa used in this study. We want to thank Dr. Gary D. Alpert from MCZ for providing very important material from Mozambique. In addition, we want to express our gratitude to Marek Borowiec, Barry Bolton, and one anonymous reviewer for suggestions, comments, and critique that have improved the manuscript. Furthermore, we are thankful to the following curators and/or curatorial staff, who either loaned important material or welcomed FHG to their collections: Mrs Suzanne Ryder, Dr. Gavin Broad, Mrs Natalie Dale-Skey Papilloud from BMNH; Dr. Stefan Cover and Dr. Gary D. Alpert from MCZ; Dr. Giulio Cuccodoro from MHNG; Mrs Isabelle Zürcher-Pfander from NHMB; Dr. Brian Brown and Mrs Giar-Ann Kung from LACM; and Dr. Eliane De Coninck from RMCA. This study was partially supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. DEB-0842395 granted to BLF and two Ernst Mayr Travel Grants from the MCZ granted to FHG to visit the collections in BMNH and MCZ.