Technomyrmex (Engramma) kohli (Forel)
Type location Zaïre (Engramma kohli, Forel,
1916: 429, worker & queen; combination in Technomyrmex
by Shattuck (1992b); worker and queen only described (Bolton,
1995)  .
Forel's (1916) description of Engramma kohli is at
 .
Features (from Wheeler's 1922 key) - TL 1.8 to 2.2 mm. Head,
without the mandibles, as broad as long, deeply excavated behind.
Eyes less than one-third of face in length. Antennal scapes not
reaching the occipital border; funicular joints 2 to 7 broader
than long. Body relatively thick set; dorsum of propodeum much
shorter than the declivity, sloping forward; pilosity less
abundant. Dull yellow, with brown gaster but head and thorax
shining.
Wheeler (1922, with the illustration) noted collections from -
Niapu (Lang and Chapin); Lubutu to Kirundu; Tshopo River near
Stanleyville (J. Bequaert). The specimens from Niapu were taken in
the leaf ascidiae of Scaphopetalum thonneri De Wildeman
and Durand; those from Lubutu to Kirundu in the similar structures
of Cola laurentii De Wildeman; and those from the Tshopo
River were found nesting in the stem swellings of a hairy Plectronia.
The type specimens of the species were also taken by Father Kohl "in
myrmecophilous plants" at St. Gabriel, near Stanleyville.
Bolton (2007) appears to have lumped all specimens of
approximately the same general form, i.e. with a strongly
cordiform head and deep semi-circular clypeal notch into a single
species
Technomyrmex
laurenti (Emery). Although he acknowledges smaller
specimens have a higher SI and relatively larger eyes he does not
give any information on variation (if any) within specimens
recorded from a specific nest. Colour variation is discounted as
of any significance.
I have sighted specimens from two sites (nests) in Cameroun. The
difference is consistent and so marked that I cannot accept
Bolton's lumping. Thus, the specimens of
Technomyrmex kohli are kept separate and shown below. They are an exact match
for Forel's decription - with no erect setae or evidence of setal
insertions on the alitrunk, apart from two pairs on the pronotum
and a pair at the apex of the propodeum. They have a very
different pattern of pubescence to laurenti; and, are much
shinier and generally lighter. |
The
photomontage is of specimens collected in Cameroun -
south-western tropical coastal forest area between Edéa and
Campo (McKey Wolbachia project) - Cameroon 21 from
location GRO, 25 March 2001; from leaf-like pouch of Delpydora
sp. This exactly matches Forel's (1916) description in every
detail, including the sparsity of erect pilosity or setae on the
body (alitrunk).