Taxonomic history
See also: Snelling, 2007 PDF: 567.Axinidris murielae Shattuck , 1991: 116 - 117; figs. 23 - 25, 35 (w, q). CAMEROUN , Nkoemvon ( D. Jackson ) ( BMNH ) examined .
Worker diagnosis. Antennal scape with more than 5 and pronotum with 2 erect hairs; pronotum mostly smooth and shiny; medial carina present and obtuse in profile; distance between spines less than PPW; head and body reddish brown.
Worker measurements (mm) (n = 2). HW 0.66 - 0.81; HL 0.76 - 0.91; SL 0.56 - 0.66; EL 0.20 - 0.26; OVD 0.24 - 0.31; PNW n / a; PPW 0.31 - 0.46; WL 0.89 - 1.30. Indices. CI 87 - 89; CNI 90 - 129; OI 26 - 34; SI 80 - 85.
DISCUSSION
Worker and queen have been adequately described by Shattuck (1991); the male remains unknown.
The two species A. gabonica and A. murielae are similar and may ultimately prove to belong to a single somewhat variable species. For the present the two are separable as noted in the key: A. murielae has 4 - 6 erect hairs on the pronotum (only 2 in A. gabonica ) and numerous erect hairs on the front of the head (only 4 in A. gabonica ) and also with erect hairs on gastral terga 2 - 4 (one in A. gabonica ).
The types of A. murielae are from Cameroun; Shattuck (1991) also recorded specimens from Ghana. I have also seen a few specimens from the vicinity of Busumbuli in the Kakamega Forest of Kenya. Both samples were taken by tree fogging, one from Teclea nobilis and one from Heinsenia diervillioides.
Axinidris murielae is a species of ant in the genus Axinidris. Described by Shattuck in 1991, the species is endemic to several African countries, where they inhabit forests.[1]
Axinidris murielae is a species of ant in the genus Axinidris. Described by Shattuck in 1991, the species is endemic to several African countries, where they inhabit forests.
