Simopone grandis Santschi
Type location Zaïre (Santschi, 1923e: 259,
illustrated, worker; see Brown, 1975, and Bolton 1995 [wrongly
given as 1923d]) from Kunungu, collected by Dr Schouteden,
2.iv.1921, in  .
Santschi's (1923e) description is at
 .
Shows characteristics in common with Cerapachys and may
be grounds for suggesting the separation of the two genera is not
justified (Brown, 1975).
Brown (1975, illustrated, adapted right) gave descriptive notes
-
WORKER large; (dimensions of Banga specimen, see below) HL 1.97
mm, HW across eyes 1.72, behind eyes 1.74; Head like relatively
unspecialised Cerapachys-like form rather than like most
Simopone. Perhaps representing a rather primitive Simopone
stock. Palp formula 6,4; antennae 11-segmented, apical segment
slightly narrower than penultimate and a little less than three
times as long; no distinct club. Eyes also set further back and
more convex; 3 ocelli present. Also has a laterally marginate
petiole; sides concave from top to bottom. Middle legs without a
distinct tibial spur; hind legs each with a single large pectinate
spur; with opposite long elliptical groove on flexor surface.
Colour predominantly black, mandibles and antennae ferrugineous
Brown (1975) noted that J C Bequaert (label data) took this
species from a palm trunk in a swampy forest at Banga, Zaïre,
25 October 1926. |
The photomontage is collated from