HL 1.66–1.80 (1.66), HW 1.18–1.36 (1.18), SL 0.57–0.70
(0.57), EL 0.48– 0.52 (0.48), PW 0.89–1.00 (0.89), AIIW 0.84–0.98
(0.84), AIIL 0.96–1.04 (0.96), AIIIW 1.06–1.17 (1.06), AIIIL 1.18–1.23
(1.18), WL 2.08–2.20 (2.08), MFL 1.10–1.30 (1.10), CI 71–76 (71), SI
48–51 (48), EL/HW 0.37–0.41 (0.41), EP 1.50–1.73 (1.52), AIIW/AIIL
0.88–0.94 (0.88), AIIIW/AIIIL 0.90–0.95 (0.90) (4 measured).
Clypeus relatively shallowly downcurved anteriorly so
that the clypeo-labral junction is not strongly reflexed but almost
exactly below the anteriormost point of the apparent anterior margin.
In full-face view the frontal lobes broad on each side of the clypeus,
only very feebly elevated. Frontal carinae extend back to the level of
the anterior margins of the eyes. Eyes located well behind the cephalic
midlength, EP at least 1.50; in full-face view outer margins of eyes
just touch, or very slightly break, the outlines of the sides at their
midlengths. Leading edge of scape with inclined projecting setae
present, SW/SL 0.46–0.48. Sides of head below and behind eyes with a
few (2–4) projecting setae present, but these seem easily lost by
abrasion; cephalic dorsum with standing setae present, mostly behind
the level of the eyes. Mandibles with superficial shagreenate to
microreticulate sculpture and also with scattered weak punctures.
Entire cephalic dorsum finely and extremely densely
reticulate-punctulate to microreticulate, without longitudinal costulae
but with scattered larger, shallow punctures whose bases are also
reticulate-punctulate. Reticulate-punctulate to microreticulate ground
sculpture also duplicated on sides and ventral surface of head. In
dorsal view pronotum with a narrow anterior carina; humeri not sharply
angulate; promesonotal suture with minute weak cuticular ribs that are
largely confused with the dense ground sculpture. Metanotal groove
vestigial to absent. Propodeal declivity meets sides and dorsum in a
poorly defined, low, continuous ridge. Entire dorsum and sides of
mesosoma sculptured as the head but with a few larger punctures. Dorsal
surfaces of meso- soma with sparse standing setae; pronotum anteriorly
with 1–3 pairs, mesonotum anteriorly with 0–2 pairs, propo- deum
posteriorly with 1–2 pairs. AII (petiole) with a weak transverse
anterior carina, and another posteriorly, just above the foramen. In
dorsal view the sides of AII shallowly convex, broadest at about the
midlength then converg- ing posteriorly; posterior corners produced
into a small, triangular outcurved tooth on each side. Anteroventral
pro- cess of AII a recurved hook or spur. AII and AIII both slightly
longer than broad, AIV much larger (maximum width 1.30–1.50, maximum
length 1.14–1.20) and distinctly broader than long. Tergites of AII,
AIII and AIV microreticulate to finely reticulate-punctate; AII and
AIII also with shallow punctures, usually more conspicuous on AIII.
Abdominal tergites, from AII to apex, with standing long, curved setae;
sternites from AIII to apex also with standing setae. Femora and tibiae
of middle and hind legs with very sparse short scattered setae.
Pygidial fork short and stout, the pygidial margins on each side with a
row of 7 spiniform denticles. Full adult colour of head and body dark
brown to black.
QUEEN (a single dealate gyne from Tanzania, in SAMC).
Slightly larger than any worker examined, HL 1.88, HW 1.40, SL 0.70, EL
0.53, PW 1.11, AIIW 0.97, AIIL 1.08, AIIIW 1.22, AIIIL 1.35, AIVW 1.56,
AIVL 1.38, WL 2.56, MFL 1.28, CI 74, SI 50, SW/SL 0.45, EL/HW 0.38, EP
1.52, AIIW/AIIL 0.90, AIIIW/AIIIL 0.90. Matching the description and
general shape of the worker but the mesosoma with a full complement of
flight sclerites and more numerous setae.
Holotype worker, Kenya: Mombasa area, 1969 no. 93, CIE
A4271, on Lynometra webberi
(no collector’s name) (BMNH).
Paratype. One worker with same data as holotype; specimen broken and
mounted in two parts (BMNH).
This very striking species appears to be closely related to grandis because of the shapes of
the clypeus and petiole, and the position of the eyes. They are
easily distinguished by the characters given in the key and by their
very different sculpture.
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