Aenictus rixator
Aenictus rixator | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Hymenoptera |
Family: | Formicidae |
Subfamily: | Dorylinae |
Genus: | Aenictus |
Species group: | rixator |
Species: | A. rixator |
Binomial name | |
Aenictus rixator Forel, 1901 |
This species is known from only a single specimen collected in South Africa in 1915.
Identification
Its size, short scapes, overall aspect, colour and distribution could suggest the species in the mariae species complex as the closest relatives, but can be separated from them by the absence of a row of triangular teeth at the clypeus, the linear long mandibles (triangular in the mariae complex), with reduced dentition (three teeth against one apical and 4-8 denticles) and the presence of a clearly defined propodeal ridge.
Keys including this Species
Distribution
Identification
Keys including this Species
Distribution
Latitudinal Distribution Pattern
Latitudinal Range: -29° to -29°.
North Temperate |
North Subtropical |
Tropical | South Subtropical |
South Temperate |
- Source: Gomez, 2022
Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: South Africa (type locality), South Africa (type locality).
Distribution based on AntMaps
Distribution based on AntWeb specimens
Check data from AntWeb
Countries Occupied
Number of countries occupied by this species based on AntWiki Regional Taxon Lists. In general, fewer countries occupied indicates a narrower range, while more countries indicates a more widespread species. |
Estimated Abundance
Relative abundance based on number of AntMaps records per species (this species within the purple bar). Fewer records (to the left) indicates a less abundant/encountered species while more records (to the right) indicates more abundant/encountered species. |
Biology
Castes
Known only from the worker caste.
Nomenclature
The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.
- rixator. Aenictus rixator Forel, in Emery, 1901d: 48 (w.) SOUTH AFRICA.
- Type-material: holotype(?) worker.
- [Note: no indication of number of specimens is given.]
- Type-locality: South Africa: Natal (R. Wroughton).
- Type-depository: MHNG.
- Status as species: Emery, 1910b: 31; Arnold, 1915: 137; Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 754; Bolton, 1995b: 60.
- Distribution: South Africa.
Type Material
- Holotype, SOUTH AFRICA: Natal VII-1915 (Wroughton) (1w) MHNG [CASENT0907030, Material seen by Gomez, 2022].
Description
References
- Emery, C. 1901d. Note sulle Doriline. Bull. Soc. Entomol. Ital. 33: 43-56 (page 48, worker described)
- Gomez, K. 2022. A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1–86 (doi:10.5281/zenodo.5898821).
References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics
- Borowiec M. L. 2016. Generic revision of the ant subfamily Dorylinae (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). ZooKeys 608: 1–280.
- Emery C. 1910. Hymenoptera. Fam. Formicidae. Subfam. Dorylinae. Genera Insectorum 102: 1-34.