DOI : 10.5958/0974-4576.2021.00054.2 © J. ent. Res., 45 (2) : 347-350 (2021)

First record of Recurvidris recurvispinosa (Forel, 1890) (: Formicidae: ) from Central India

Anand Harshana and Debjani Dey* Division of Entomology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi - 110 012, India

ABSTRACT The myrmicine , Recurvidris recurvispinosa (Forel, 1890) is being reported for first time from Central India. The workers of R. recurvispinosa were collected from the leaf litter and on the floor near tree base at Gwalior and Jabalpur, respectively and taxonomically studied. A key to the workers of Indian species under this and distributional map of R. recurvispinosa in India is provided.

Key words : Central India, myrmicinae, new record, Recurvidris recurvispinosa, .

INTRODUCTION eastern and southern parts of India (Bharti et al., Recurvidris Bolton, 1992 is a small ant genus in 2016). In the present study we have reported and the tribe (Formicidae: Myrmicinae) redescribed this species from Central India. (Bolton, 2003; Ward et al., 2014; Blaimer et al., 2018). This genus was first described by Forel as MATERIALS AND METHODS Trigonogaster with type species T. recurvispinosus Present study is based on hand collected from India (Forel, 1890). Later Trigonogaster specimens from different parts of Central India, Forel, 1890 was found as junior homonym of using camel hair brush. These specimens were Trigonogaster Guérin-Méneville 1844 (Hymenoptera: stored in 70% alcohol. Later specimen dried, Pteromalidae). Therefore a new name Recurvidris stretched and mounted on card point. All specimens was proposed based on the presence of long deposited in the National Pusa collection, Division upward and forward-curved propodeal spines of Entomology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (Bolton, 1992). At present 12 species are known (IARI), New Delhi, India. Morphological observations from this genus in Asia (Jaitrong et al., 2019). were made under Leica S8AP0 stereo microscope The worker caste of the genus can be identified and specimen’s photographed using LEICA MC190 by long upward and forward-curved propodeal HD digital camera attached to the LEICA M205 spines, mandible with 4-5 teeth on masticatory C stereozoom automountage microscope. The margin (dentition specialization on last tooth) and morphological measurements were taken by with or without tooth on basal margin, antenna using LEICA software LAS V4.13.0 in millimeter 11 segmented with distinct three segment club, (mm) upto two decimals. The measurements and posteriorly mesonotum with unpaired long standing indices are as follows (edited from Jaitrong et al., seta, anterior clypeal margin with a pair of long 2019): setae, etc. (Bolton, 1992). DPW = Dorsal Petiole Width. Maximum petiole width Recurvidris recurvispinosa is the most widely in dorsal view. distributed species of its genus. It has been reported DPPW = Dorsal Postpetiole Width. Maximum from many Asian countries like China, India, Japan, postpetiole width in dorsal view. Myanmar, Nepal, Taiwan and Thailand (Jaitrong and Wiwatwitaya, 2015). R. recurvispinosa has ED = Eye Diameter. Maximum diameter of eye been reported from Pune (Maharashtra), northern, with head positioned in profile view, such that anterior and posterior eye margins are in same *Corresponding author's E-mail: [email protected] plane of focus. Journal of Entomological Research, June 2021

HL = Head length. Length of head capsule, excluding corners of head do not form single arc with posterior mandibles, measured by a straight line from anterior margin, promesonotum finely longitudinally striate clypeal margin to mid-point of a line drawn across largely. posterior margin of head. Description (Workers) : Head. In full-face view HW = Head width. Maximum width of head in full- head not round, slightly longer than broad, sides face view, measured behind eyes (excluding eyes). are slightly convex and posterior margin of head ML = Mesosomal length. Maximum diagonal length almost straight; masticatory margin of mandible of mesosoma in profile view, measured from four dentate and fourth tooth distinctly larger than posterodorsal border of pronotal flange to posterior third tooth, most of the specimens have bidentate basal angle of metapleuron. fourth tooth but variations were seen in shape of some specimens like almost truncated or acute, PW = Pronotal width. Maximum width of pronotum basal margin of mandible unarmed; palp formula in dorsal view. 5, 3; clypeus bulged and convex; anterior clypeal SL = Scape length. Maximum length of scape margin medially with a pair of long setae directed excluding basal constriction and condylar bulb. downwardly and median portion of clypeus not bicarinate; antennae 11 segmented with distinct TL = Total length. Roughly measured from anterior club of apical three segment and antennal scape clypeal margin of head to tip of gaster. not extending posterior margin of head; antennal CI = Cephalic index. HW/HL × 100. scrobes and frontal carinae absent; compound eyes OI = Ocular Index. ED/HW × 100. with minimum six ommatidia in its longest axis. Mesosoma. Promesonotum with seven long standing SI = Scape index. SL/HW × 100.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Recurvidris recurvispinosa (Forel, 1890) (Figs. 1-7) 1890. Trigonogaster recurvispinosus, Forel, Annales De La Société Entomologique De Belgique, 34: CIX-CX, Workers (INDIA: Poona). 1927. Trigonogaster recurvispinosa, Wheeler, American Museum Novitates, 255: 5, Description of Male. 1992. Recurvidris recurvispinosa, Bolton, Psyche, 99: 46. Material examined : INDIA: Madhya Pradesh: Gwalior (Tapovan), 26°10’20”N 78°10’18”E, 235m, 7 workers, 7.VIII.2020, Coll. A. Harshana; Jabalpur (JNKVV), 23°12’46”N 79°57’33”E, 394m, 9 workers, 12.IX.2020, Coll. A. Harshana. Measurements and indices : Workers (n=5): DPW 0.12-0.13, DPPW 0.19-0.20, ED 0.11-0.12, HL 0.44- 0.47, HW 0.40-0.43, PW 0.20-0.21, ML 0.55-0.59, SL 0.33-0.37, TL 1.83-2.10, CI 91-95, OI 26-29, SI 80-85 Diagnosis : Workers of R. recurvispinosa identified by having fourth tooth of mandible bidentate Recurvidris recurvispinosa (Worker). 1. Profile although variations in shape were observed in some Figs. 1-3. view, 2. Dorsal view and 3. Head in full-face specimens, dorsum of head reticulate and occipital view.

348 First record of Recurvidris recurvispinosa

et al., 2000; Jaitrong and Wiwatwitaya, 2015). Maxillary palps were five segmented as described in the original description of genus by Forel (1890) contrary to the observations of Bolton (1992) and Sheela et al. (2000) who reported four segmented maxillary palp in this genus. Biology : The species was collected from leaf litter (Gwalior) and on the floor near tree base (Jabalpur). We found collembolan, Sminthurides parvulus (Krausbauer, 1898) in between mandible of our specimen, this gives clue that these presumably feed on small in leaf litter and soil. Distribution : INDIA: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Madhya Pradesh (New Record), Himachal Pradesh, Figs. 4-7. Variations in shape of fourth tooth of mandible of R. recurvispinosa (Worker). 4. Bidentate, 5. Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Almost truncate, 6. Acute; 7. Collembolan in Manipur, Meghalaya, Orissa, Punjab, Sikkim, Tamil between the mandible of worker ant. Nadu, Uttarakhand, West Bengal (Fig. 8). Key to workers of Indian Recurvidris species (based setae and posterior most seta unpaired; the dorsum on Bolton, 1992) of promesonotum in profile view weakly convex and sloping gradually to metanotal groove; propodeal 1. Fourth tooth of mandible acute apically; Occipital spines long, upward and forwardly curved; propodeal corners of head broadly rounded and almost form declivity having infradental lamella or ridge linking a single even arc with occipital boarder of the propodeal spine to metapleural lobe; fore coxae head in full face view; Disc of pronotum smooth are bigger than mid and hind coxae, and those and shining…………………………..R. pickburni are seemingly trapezoidal in shape; fore tibiae with – Fourth tooth of mandible bidentate although pectinate spur. Metasoma. Petiole dorsum slightly sometimes variations may be seen; Occipital emarginated; small triangular sub-petiolar process corners of head narrowly rounded and not form present; postpetiole 1.5 to 1.6 times broader than a single even arc with occipital boarder in full petiole node; petiole and post-petiole with four and six long setae, respectively. In profile view gaster about flat above and strongly convex ventrally; dorsally gaster broadly attached to the postpetiole. Sculpture and Colour : The sculpture on dorsum of head reticulate although sculpture weaker behind the frontal lobes; the sculpture between eyes and mandible longitudinally striate; promesonotum dorsum finely longitudinally striate mostly; the dorsum of propodeum weakly reticulate and lateral declivity with a pair of decumbent hairs; peduncle, petiole, and postpetiole are reticulate; gaster smooth and shining except near the postpetiole and gaster joint; body yellowish. Remarks : Gwalior population of R. recurvispinosa was observed with some specimens having fourth tooth almost truncate or acute contrary Fig. 8. Distribution map of Recurvidris recurvispinosa in to observations of earlier taxonomists who have India (here orange label shows new records from reported only bidentate shape (Bolton, 1992; Sheela Central India).

349 Journal of Entomological Research, June 2021

face view; Disc of pronotum not as above……… Bolton, B. 2003. Synopsis and classification ……………………………………R. recurvispinosa. of Formicidae. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute, 71: 1-370. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Forel, A. 1890. Aenictus-Typhlatta découverte de We thank Dr. G.P. Mandal (Scientist-E, M. Wroughton. Nouveaux genres de formicides. Apterygota Section, Zoological Survey of India, Annales De La Société Entomologique De Kolkata) for identifying the collembolan species. Belgique, Comptes-rendus, 34: CII-CXIII. We acknowledge ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Division of Entomology for Jaitrong, W., Tokeeree, Y. and Pitaktunsakul, P. 2019. providing necessary research facilities. The first A new species of the ant genus Recurvidris author gratefully acknowledge University Grants Bolton, 1992 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Commission, New Delhi for providing National Myrmicinae) from Thailand. ZooKeys, 830: Fellowship for OBC (NFOBC). 53-61. Jaitrong, W. and Wiwatwitaya, D. 2015. The species REFERENCES of the ant genus Recurvidris Bolton, 1992 Bharti, H., Guénard, B., Bharti, M. and Economo, (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae) in E.P. 2016. An updated checklist of the ants of Thailand. Halteres, 6: 104-12. India with their specific distributions in Indian Ward, S.P., Brady, S.G., Fisher, B.L. and Schultz, states (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). ZooKeys, T.R. 2015. The evolution of myrmicine ants: 551: 1-83. phylogeny and biogeography of a hyperdiverse Blaimer, B.B., Ward, P.S., Schultz, T.R., Fisher, ant clade (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Syst. Ent., B.L. and Brady, S.G. 2018. Paleotropical 40: 61-81. diversification dominates the evolution of Wheeler, W.M. 1927. Chinese Ants collected by the hyperdiverse ant tribe crematogastrini Professor S.F. Light and Professor N. Gist Gee. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Systematics American Museum Novitates, 255: 1-12. and Diver., 2: 1-14. DOI: 10.1093/isd/ixy013

Bolton, B. 1992. A review of the ant genus Recurvidris (Received : June 4, 2021; Accepted : June 10, 2021) (Hym.: Fonnicidae), a new name for Trigonogaster Forel. Psyche., 99: 35-48.

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