Prenolepis adlerzii

Prenolepis adlerzii
Scientific classification (junior synonym of Colobopsis vitrea)
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Formicidae
Subfamily:	Formicinae
Tribe:	Camponotini
Genus:	Colobopsis
Species:	Prenolepis adlerzii Forel, 1886

This taxon is not in use as it is currently considered to be a junior synonym of Colobopsis vitrea.

Nomenclature

The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.

• adlerzii. Prenolepis adlerzii Forel, 1886f: 209 (w.) AUSTRALIA. Junior synonym of vitrea: Forel, 1895e: 458.

Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description.

Description

Worker. Length 3.5mm The head is longer than wide, very convex posteriorly, weakily narrowing, with sides slightly convex. Eyes very large situated behind the posterior 1/3 of the head. The frontal carinae are very distinct,the distance between them is greater than the distant from the edge of the head. No frontal groove, it is replaced at the front by a weak line or carina. Frontal area and clypeus very poorly margined. Clypeus carined. Antennae are articulated well behind the posterior angles of the clypeus (as in the genus Camponotus) to the side of the middle of the frontal carinae. Clypeal pits are small, a long way from the antennal pits. Pronotum and mesonotum form together a strong almost hemispherical vault. The suture between mesonotum and metanotum is very deep, much deeper than in all other species and at the same time as wide at the bottom as the distance between the two stigmata which it encloses. The metanotum (= propodeum) is very elevated and cut vertically in front and behind. The basal face is very convex and a little longer than wide. The declivity is vertical even slightly concave, forming an angle a little more than 90o (although rounded in transition) to the basal face. The node is high, thick, vertical, flat behind, strongly convex at the front, entire or slightly indented at the summit. Abdomen strongly convex above as in the case of the other species. Limbs and antennae of moderate size (about like P obscura); length of scape about 1mm. Shining, weakly wrinkled or reticulate wrinkled. On the metanotum (= propodeum) the wrinkles or reticulation are a little stronger , concentric and a microscopic sculpture appears to exist at intervals that diminishes the luster. The whole body including the limbs and antennae quite particularly the scapes and tibias are provided with a very abundant fine pilosity rather long and pointed which is entirely different from the rigid and obtuse setae of most of Prenolopsis. Flat-lying pubescence is almost lacking. Black to dark brown. Mandibles clypeus, extremities of the antennae and of the tarsi also some articulations and sutures of a more or less light brown.

Iles de Darnley (Torres Strait) GMNH.

This curious species is so aberrant one would be tempted to make it a different genus. However its general appearance,its abdomen even its antennae a long way from the clypeus make it a Prenelopsis It appears ,because of its pilosity to be close to Prenolopsis sumatrensis Mayr of which only the male and female are known from which she differs considerably.