Trichomyrmex criniceps

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Trichomyrmex criniceps
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Myrmicinae
Tribe: Crematogastrini
Genus: Trichomyrmex
Species group: scabriceps
Species: T. criniceps
Binomial name
Trichomyrmex criniceps
(Mayr, 1879)

Monomorium criniceps casent0106263 p 1 high.jpg

Monomorium criniceps casent0106263 d 1 high.jpg

Specimen Labels

Synonyms

Identification

Keys including this Species

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: 30.75° to 7.85°.

   
North
Temperate 		North
Subtropical 		Tropical South
Subtropical 		South
Temperate

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Oriental Region: India (type locality), Sri Lanka.

Distribution based on AntMaps

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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.
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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.
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Biology

Castes

Nomenclature

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

  • criniceps. Holcomyrmex criniceps Mayr, 1879: 672 (w.) INDIA (Tamil Nadu).
    • Type-material: holotype worker.
    • Type-locality: India: Tranquebar (= Tharangambadi) (no collector’s name, “received from Drewsen”).
    • Type-depository: NHMW.
    • Bingham, 1903: 282 (s.). Radchenko, 1997f: 218 (q.m.).
    • Combination in Monomorium (Holcomyrmex): Emery, 1922e: 181;
    • combination in Trichomyrmex: Ward, et al. 2015: 76.
    • Status as species: Dalla Torre, 1893: 65; Forel, 1903a: 693; Bingham, 1903: 282; Forel, 1911i: 221; Forel, 1913k: 55; Emery, 1922e: 181; Menozzi, 1939a: 335; Chapman & Capco, 1951: 163; Ettershank, 1966: 88; Bolton, 1995b: 260; Radchenko, 1997f: 218; Tiwari, 1999: 56; Bharti, Guénard, et al. 2016: 47; Dias, R.K.S. et al. 2020: 98.
    • Senior synonym of niger: Radchenko, 1997f: 218.
    • Senior synonym of ruber: Radchenko, 1997f: 218.
    • Distribution: India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka.
  • niger. Holcomyrmex criniceps var. niger Forel, 1902c: 220 (w.) INDIA (Karnataka, Maharashtra).
    • Type-material: syntype workers (number not stated).
    • Type-localities: India: Kanara (Aitken), Poona (Wroughton).
    • Type-depository: MHNG.
    • Combination in Monomorium (Holcomyrmex): Emery, 1922e: 181.
    • Subspecies of criniceps: Forel, 1903a: 693; Emery, 1922e: 181; Chapman & Capco, 1951: 163; Ettershank, 1966: 91; Bolton, 1995b: 265.
    • Status as species: Tiwari, 1999: 56.
    • Junior synonym of criniceps: Radchenko, 1997f: 218.
  • ruber. Holcomyrmex criniceps var. ruber Forel, 1903a: 693 (w.) SRI LANKA.
    • Type-material: syntype workers (number not stated).
    • Type-locality: Sri Lanka (“Ceylon”): (no further data) (Yerbury).
    • Type-depository: MHNG.
    • Combination in Monomorium (Holcomyrmex): Emery, 1922e: 181.
    • Subspecies of criniceps: Emery, 1922e: 181; Chapman & Capco, 1951: 163; Ettershank, 1966: 92; Bolton, 1995b: 266.
    • Junior synonym of criniceps: Radchenko, 1997f: 218.

Description

Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description Bingham, (1903) page 282 as Holcomyrmex criniceps.

Worker

Major

Resembles in colour H. scabriceps, but seems to me more variable. Some specimens have the head and thorax dark chestnut-brown or even black, and the abdomen dark red. Between these latter and specimens with the head and thorax light ferruginous and abdomen black, nearly all gradations can be found. Differs from H. scabriceps in the head being striate only anteriorly; from about the middle of the head upwards it is somewhat distantly punctured, more densely so at the sides, the cheeks below being striate. Thorax: the pro-mesonotum finely longitudinally striate, the striae curving at the sides, the sculpture being distinctly finer and less rugose than in H. scabriceps; the basal portion of the metanotum shorter than the pro-mesonotum, finely transversely striate; the obtuse triangular tubercles at the posterior lateral angles of the metanotum distinctly larger than in H. scabriceps; legs as in that species, but proportionately a little shorter. Pedicel and abdomen as in the genus.


Minor

Closely resembles the major, much smaller, the head proportionately rather large, the thorax more finely sculptured, the striae on the anterior portion of the head almost obsolete.

Length - 3.5 - 5.5 mm


Queen

Radchenko (1997): Females (Figs 20-22). Head somewhat transverse (CI=0.90), with slightly convex sides, narrowly rounded occipital corners and slightly concave occipital margin. Eyes large (OI=3.49), round, situated in front of middle of sides of head. Antennae as in workers, scape short, not reaching occipital margin (SI=1,34). Anterior clypeal margin with deep concavity and with long acute denticles. Mandibles with broad masticatory margin and with three denticles on it. Head with numerous long curved subdecumbent hairs; outstanding hairs on ventral surface of head not j-shaped, not forming distinct psammophore. Antennal scape with dense pubescence. Head with numerous long curved subdecumbent hairs and dense large punctures (as in workers).

Alitrunk short and high (AI=1.53, Scl 1=1.62), somewhat flattened from above, mesonotum not hang ing over pronotum (see in profile). Scutum wider than long (ScI 2=0.96). Propodeum broadly rounded, its declivity flattened, without longitudinal impression. Petiolar node low, triangular and rounded on the top. Postpetiole low, subglobular. Alitrunk, petiole and postpetiole with numerous long outstanding hairs and dense short subdecumbent hairs. Gaster with numerous outstanding hairs and dense pubescence. Hind and middle tibiae and femora with dense subdecumbent pilosity.

Scutum and scutellum smooth and shining, with only sparse punctures; sides of alitrunk with dense shagreenate sculpture, submat or mat. Pedicel striated and densely shagreenate, mat. Body brown, only antennae, clypeus, mandibles and tarsi reddish-ochraceous.

Measurements: HL=1.53, HW=1.70, SL=1.10, AL-3.18 mm.


Male

Radchenko (1997): Males (Figs 23 - 26). Head somewhat elongate(CI=1.04-1.07), with broadly rounded temples and straight occipital margin. Anterior clypeal margin with shallow medial impression. Eyes very large (OI=1.85-1.89), round. Antennae 13-jointed, scape very short (SI=5.33-5.40), shorter than second funicular joint; first funicular joint globular, funiculus thread form, without distinct club. Mandibles narrow, bidentate. Head mainly smooth and shining, but cheeks, temples and posterior part of head densely punctured, submat. Dorsum and sides of head with long curved hairs, ventral surface of head with short curved hairs. Antennal joints with numerous short erect hairs.

Alitrunk short and high (AI=1.45-1.46, Scl 1=1.32-1.49), mesonotum convex, but not hanging over pronotum (see in profile). Scutum transverse (ScI 2=0.88-0.96). Propodeum broadly rounded, its decliv ity convex, without longitudinal impression. Petiole with long anterior peduncle, its node low, triangular and rounded on the top. Postpetiole low, subglobular. Alitrunk, petiole and postpetiole with rather sparse long outstanding hairs.

Gaster with numerous outstanding hairs and long, but sparse pubescence. Hind and middle tibiae with subdecum bent pilosity, femora with long hairs. Alitrunk, pedicel and gaster smooth and shining. Alitrunk, pedicel and gaster reddish-brown, head brown, antennae and legs reddish-ochraceous.

Measurements: HL=0.67-0.77, HW-0.63-0.73, SL-0.13-0.14, AL 1.79-2.18 mm.

References

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

  • Bharti H., Y. P. Sharma, and A. Kaur. 2009. Seasonal patterns of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Punjab Shivalik. Halteres 1(1): 36-47.
  • Chapman, J. W., and Capco, S. R. 1951. Check list of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Asia. Monogr. Inst. Sci. Technol. Manila 1: 1-327
  • Dias R. K. S. 2002. Current knowledge on ants of Sri Lanka. ANeT Newsletter 4: 17- 21.
  • Dias R. K. S. 2006. Current taxonomic status of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Sri Lanka. The Fauna of Sri Lanka: 43-52. Bambaradeniya, C.N.B. (Editor), 2006. Fauna of Sri Lanka: Status of Taxonomy, Research and Conservation. The World Conservation Union, Colombo, Sri Lanka & Government of Sri Lanka. viii + 308pp.
  • Dias R. K. S. 2013. Diversity and importance of soil-dweeling ants. Proceedings of the National Symposium on Soil Biodiversity, chapt 4, pp 19-22.
  • Dias R. K. S., K. R. K. A. Kosgamage, and H. A. W. S. Peiris. 2012. The Taxonomy and Conservation Status of Ants (Order: Hymenoptera, Family: Formicidae) in Sri Lanka. In: The National Red List 2012 of Sri Lanka; Conservation Status of the Fauna and Flora. Weerakoon, D.K. & S. Wijesundara Eds., Ministry of Environment, Colombo, Sri Lanka. p11-19.
  • Dias R. K. S., and K. R. K. Anuradha Kosgamage. 2012. Occurrence and species diversity of ground-dwelling worker ants (Family: Formicidae) in selected lands in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. J. Sci. Univ. Kelaniya 7: 55-72.
  • Ettershank G. 1966. A generic revision of the world Myrmicinae related to Solenopsis and Pheidologeton (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Aust. J. Zool. 14: 73-171.
  • Forel A. 1903. Les Formicides de l'Empire des Indes et de Ceylan. Part X. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 14: 679-715.
  • Forel A. 1911. Ameisen aus Ceylon, gesammelt von Prof. K. Escherich (einige von Prof. E. Bugnion). Pp. 215-228 in: Escherich, K. Termitenleben auf Ceylon. Jena: Gustav Fischer, xxxii + 262 pp.
  • Forel A. 1913k. Wissenschaftliche Ergebnisse einer Forschungsreise nach Ostindien ausgeführt im Auftrage der Kgl. Preuss. Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin von H. v. Buttel-Reepen. II. Ameisen aus Sumatra, Java, Malacca und Ceylon. Gesammelt von Herrn Prof. Dr. v. Buttel-Reepen in den Jahren 1911-1912. Zoologische Jahrbücher. Abteilung für Systematik, Geographie und Biologie der Tiere 36:1-148.
  • Musthak Ali T. M. 1992. Ant Fauna of Karnataka-2. Newsletter of IUSSI Indian Chapter 6(1-2): 1-9.
  • Pajni H. R., and R. K. Suri. 1978. First report on the Formicid fauna (Hymenoptera) of Chandigarh. Res. Bull. (Science) Punjab University 29: 5-12.
  • Radchenko A. G. 1997. Review of the ants of scabriceps group of the genus Monomorium Mayr (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Annales Zoologici (Warsaw) 46: 211-224.
  • Rajan P. D., M. Zacharias, and T. M. Mustak Ali. 2006. Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae. Fauna of Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary (Karnataka). Conservation Area Series, Zool. Surv. India.i-iv,27: 153-188.
  • Sheikh A. H., M. Manzoor, Y. A. Rather, and T. Jobiraj. 2019. Taxonomic study of ant (Formicidae : Hymenoptera) fauna of Dumna Nature Park, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India. Journal of Entomological Research 43(2): 203-212.
  • Tak N. 1995. Studies on ants (Formicidae) of Rajasthan - 1 Jodhpur. Hexapoda 7(1): 17-28.
  • Tak N. 2008. Ants of Rajasthan. Conserving Biodiversity of Rajasthan Zool. Surv. India. 149-155.
  • Tak N. 2009. Ants Formicidae of Rajasthan. Records of the Zoological Survey of India, Occasional Paper No. 288, iv, 46 p
  • Tak N., and N. S. Rathore. 1996. Ant (Formicidae) fauna of the Thar Desert. Pp. 271-276 in: Ghosh, A. K.; Baqri, Q. H.; Prakash, I. (eds.) 1996. Faunal diversity in the Thar Desert: gaps in research. Jodhpur: Scientific Publishers, xi + 410 pp.
  • Tak N., and N. S. Rathore. 2004. Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae. State Fauna Series 8: Fauna of Gujarat. Zool. Surv. India. Pp. 161-183.
  • Tak, N. 2009. Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the Thar Desert of Rajasthan and Gujarat. in C. Sivaperuman et al. (eds.), Faunal Ecology and Conservation of the Great Indian Desert
  • Tiwari R. N. 1999. Taxonomic studies on ants of southern India (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Memoirs of the Zoological Survey of India 18(4): 1-96.
  • Tiwari, R.N. 1999. Taxonomic studies on ants of southern India (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Memoirs of the Zoological Survey of India 18(4):1-96
  • Varghese T. 2004. Taxonomic studies on ant genera of the Indian Institute of Science campus with notes on their nesting habits. Pp. 485-502 in : Rajmohana, K.; Sudheer, K.; Girish Kumar, P.; Santhosh, S. (eds.) 2004. Perspectives on biosystematics and biodiversity. Prof. T.C. Narendran commemoration volume. Kerala: Systematic Entomology Research Scholars Association, xxii + 666 pp.
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