Dorylus (Anomma) terrificus Santschi new status

Type location Zaïre (Dorylus (Anomma) nigricans Ill. v terrificus n. v., Santschi, 1923e: 275, soldier & worker); soldier and worker described (Bolton, 1995) .

Santschi's (1923e) description is at .

Raignier & van Boven (1955) cited Santschi's description (1923e) as - more robust than burmeisteri; the major head large and trapezoidal; lateral borders more convex than arcens, but the funiculus segments clearly longer than in burmeisteri; head glabrous and shiny, except anterior part which is semi-matt; petiole form as burmeisteri. In their examination of specimens they collected at Yangambi, did not encounter any they denoted as arcens, although Collection 21b, of "burmeisteri var. terrificus" had the form of the head - with the posterior angles rounded and the cheeks convex, CI about 106 - as typical of either arcens or terrificus but the colour was too bright for arcens and they plumped for terrificus, with the cheeks rounded and the rear of the head shiny.

Polymorphism

The photomontages are of specimens collected at Bossou, south eastern Guinea, by Tatyana Humle (24.viii.2001, Humle 9).

The various morphs are shown in detail on the Dorylus (Anomma) terrificus morphs page.

Full new description - Humle 9
Overall - shiny to glossy very dark chestnut, head near black.
TL 11.45 HW 3.5 HL 3.25 HD 2.3 CI 108 SL 1.65 SI 54 AL 3.7 PW 1.1 PetL 1.0 PetW 1.2 GL 3.5 MFL 3.25
Head - trapezoid, widest pre-anterior, posterior more than 2/3 as wide; sides with first third near straight angled inwards slightly, then smooth shallow convexity to posterior corners; posterior margin a shallow scallop but slight median outward bump, posterolateral angles sharp; sculpturation of extremely fine spiculation, almost effaced on posterior half of face, which has minute sparse hair pits; median line barely visible; clypeal margin very slightly sinuous with strong median fine hair, smaller lateral fine hairs; mandible very long and slender with very faint longitudinal striations and minute hair pits; scape with slight out curve, evenly broadening from base to apex, with very fine spiculation and most minute of hair pits; funiculus 1 & 2 fairly slender, 3-6 longer and equisized, 7-9 shorter, 10 at least twice as long as 9, and slender; head profile profile very bulbous, posterior corners fairly acute angles but not extended, concave frontal area; no hairs.
Alitrunk - LS profile quite strongly domed less so in TS; distinct "saddle" with posterior margin clearly defined; spiracle ovoid in vertical plane, front slightly raised so weakly rearward facing; propodeum rises from saddle, then smooth but flattish curve to short subvertical declivity; metapleural gland upper flange distinctly longer than lower, clearly visible from above; all over fine spiculation, very fine on pronotum, coarsening rearward and downwards; minute hairs on pronotum.
Petiole - moderately long, all edges rounded, anterior a 45° slope, posterior subvertical; note both anteroventral and posteroventral small extensions; dorsal view widening perhaps 20% front to back; spiracle prominently raised; subpetiolar process very broad based, small round anterior extension and slightly longer blunt triangular posterior extension; sculpturation as posterior alitrunk; hairs pair on posterior dorsum and several below.
Gaster - basal sculptured as petiole, second weaker spiculation, rest fading notably waisted quite coarse hairs on all dorsal posterior margins, abundant long fine hairs on venter.
Legs - coxae moderately long and rounded; femora broad and submatt; tibiae quite short and wide, with dense covering of fine decumbent hairs quite short and wide; tarsi with dense covering of fine decumbent hairs, moderate claws.

Minima morph
Head densely spiculate, colour dark chestnut; dorsum with sparse decumbent pilosity; funiculus with coarse semi-erect pilosity.