Himender Bharti

Taxonomic studies on genus Tetramorium Mayr (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) with report of two new species and three new records including a tramp species from India with a revised key

Abstract Two new species of Tetramorium Mayr, namely Tetramorium shivalikense sp. n. and Tetramorium triangulatum sp. n. are described. Tetramorium triangulatum sp. n. belongs to the inglebyi-species group and is described based on worker, queen and male caste, while Tetramorium shivalikense sp. n. belongs to the ciliatum-species group and is described based on worker caste only. Three species viz., Tetramorium caldarium (Roger), Tetramorium tonganum Mayr and Tetramorium urbanii Bolton represent first records from India. The male caste is described for the first time in the case of Tetramorium tonganum. Among these, Tetramorium caldarium is a tramp species which extends its limit to India as well. A revised key to the Indian ants of this genus is also provided herewith.

An updated checklist of the ants of India with their specific distributions in Indian states (Hymenoptera, Formicidae).

Abstract As one of the 17 megadiverse countries of the world and with four biodiversity hotspots represented in its borders, India is home to an impressive diversity of life forms. However, much work remains to document and catalogue the species of India and their geographic distributions, especially for diverse invertebrate groups. In the present study, a comprehensive and critical list of Indian ant species is provided with up-to-date state-wise distribution. A total of 828 valid species and subspecies names belonging to 100 genera are listed from India. Potential erroneous data, misidentifications and dubious distributional records that may exist in the literature are also identified. The present exhaustive listing of Indian ants will provide a holistic view about diversity and distribution and will also help to identify major undersampled areas where future sampling and taxonomic efforts should be directed.

First description of the worker caste of Nylanderia smythiesii (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract The hitherto unknown worker caste of Nylanderia smythiesii (Forel, 1894) is described for the first time. Sexuals are redescribed and photomontage images of all castes are provided. A key is presented to separate the six Indian species of Nylanderia. Previously described Nylanderia assimilis (Jerdon, 1851) is considered a species inquirenda.

A new carpenter ant, Camponotus parabarbatus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from India

Abstract A new species of carpenter ant, collected in the Shivalik range of Himalaya is described and illustrated based on the worker and gyne castes under the name Camponotus parabarbatus sp. n. Presence of dense, short setae on gena and ventral surface of head resembles it most to Camponotus barbatus Roger, 1863 distributed in Southeast Asia. A regional identification key of Camponotus species is provided from the Shivalik hills of Indian Himalaya.

Myrmica elmesi (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) a new species from Himalaya

Abstract Myrmica elmesi sp. n. is described from Himalaya. This species belongs to the pachei group of Myrmica speciesand is distinct from the species described in this group hitherto, which is represented by 14 species including three from Indian Himalaya. Myrmica elmesi is the fourth species of the diverse pachei group found in Himalaya; it was collected from the transitional zone and is described with notes on its ecology, this gains significance in the sense that ecology of most of the old world Myrmica is either unknown or poorly known.

Taxonomic studies on the ant genus Cerapachys Smith (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from India

Abstract The Indianspeciesof the ant genus Cerapachys Smith are keyed. Twelve species are recognized of which 6 are described as new. The species are: Cerapachys aitkenii Forel, Cerapachys alii sp. n., Cerapachys anokha sp. n., Cerapachys besucheti Brown, Cerapachys biroi Forel, Cerapachys indicus Brown, Cerapachys longitarsus (Mayr), Cerapachys nayana sp. n., Cerapachys schoedli sp. n., Cerapachys seema sp. n., Cerapachys sulcinodis Emery and Cerapachys wighti sp. n. Geographic distribution and group affinities of the new species are discussed. A revised key to the Indian species is provided. The rare ergatoid queens of Cerapachys nayana, Cerapachys schoedli and Cerapachys seema are reported. Formed in response to selective pressures these ergatoid queens have a significant role in dispersal strategies and contribute much to our understanding of the biology of these ants.

FIRST RECORD OF THE GENUS MYOPIAS (HYMENOPTERA, FORMICIDAE) FROM INDIA, WITH DESCRIPTION OF NEW SPECIES

First Record of the Genus Myopias (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from India, with Description of New Species Myopias shivalikensis Bharti et Wachkoo, sp. n. is described based on a single worker, collected in lower Shivalik range (700 m a. s. l.) of Northwest Himalaya by soil core method. The genus Myopias is recorded for the first time in India. M. shivalikensis is a cryptobiotic species with reduced body size and rudimentary eyes. It is similar to M. nops Willey et Brown, 1983, distinctly differing from all described species of this genus. Первая находка родаMyopias (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) в Индии, с описанием нового вида Myopias shivalikensis Bharti et Wachkoo, sp. n. описан по единственному рабочему, найденному в нижней части хребта Шивалик (700 м над у. м.) в северо-западных Гималаях в почвенных пробах. Это первая находка родаMyopias в Индии. Данный вид является криптобионтом и характеризуется мелкими размерами и редуцированными глазами. Он наиболее сходен с M. nops Willey et Brown, 1983 и хорошо отличается от всех ранее описанных видов этого рода.

Two new species of the genus Myrmica (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae) from the Himalaya

Two new species of the genus Myrmica are described from the Himalaya. Myrmica adrijae sp. n. is reported from North-western region in India, while Myrmica pseudorugosa sp. n. is reported from North-eastern Pakistan. Myrmica adrijae sp. n. and Myrmica pseudorugosa sp. n. belong to the smythiesii and rugosa species groups respectively. Both species are considerably distinct from already described species in these groups.

Taxonomy and distribution of the ant Cataglyphis setipes (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract Taxonomy and distribution of the ant species Cataglyphis setipes (Forel, 1894) is herewith detailed. C. setipes is redescribed, based on workers, queens, and males. Photomontage images of all castes are provided. Information on the distribution and ecology of this species is also given. A key to the Indian species of Cataglyphis is presented.

New synonymy of Proceratium williamsi Tiwari (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

Abstract Proceratium bhutanense De Andrade, 2003, syn. n. is here found to be conspecific with Proceratium williamsi Tiwari, 2000 and accordingly treated as a junior synonym.