Diagnosis
Lordomyrma vuda, is the largest species in the genus thus far collected from Fiji. Like L. desupra , L. stoneri and L. tortuosa , it lacks a transverse carinate margin posterior to the metanotal groove on the dorsal face of its propodeum. Like L. desupra and L. stoneri , it lacks a developed facial sculpture and the presence of longitudinal carinae that run inward from, and parallel to, the frontal carinae. The downcurved spines of L. vuda distinguish the species from L. stoneri . Lordomyrma vuda can be distinguished from L. desupra by the more vertical, peaked appearance of its petiole node, the more robust propodeal spines, the more shallowly sloped propodeal dorsum, its larger size and darker coloration.
The similar morphologies of L. desupra , L. stoneri and L. tortuosa suggest a closely related group of species into which L. vuda does not comfortably fit. The robust propodeal spines, shallow slope of propodeal dorsum, and dark color combine with the petiole shape and sculpture to give L. vuda a appearance distinct. It will be interesting to learn from future phylogenetic work the relationships between L. vuda and the other Fijian Lordomyrma.
Measurement Table
| n = 6 | HL | ||||||||
| min | 4.65 | 1.01 | 0.87 | 0.83 | 0.84 | 0.20 | 1.19 | 1.19 | 0.94 |
| max | 4.84 | 1.05 | 0.90 | 0.97 | 0.89 | 0.23 | 1.26 | 1.24 | 1.02 |
Distribution & Biology
Thus far, L. vuda has only been collected from two nearby localities in western Viti Levu's Vuda Province. Both collections were made from workers foraging on stones, with one locality being adjacent to a river. So far, L. vuda is the only species of the genus that appears to be restricted to the drier, leeward mountain ranges of western Viti Levu.
Distribution Table
| VL | VN | TV | KV | KR | LA | ML | BQ |
| x | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Type specimens
Holotype. Worker, Koroyanitu National Park, Savione Falls, 2 km ESE Abaca Village, Vuda Province, Viti Levu, Fiji, 17°40'33.6″S 177°33'00.5″E, 650m, 25.viii.2006, rainforest/river edge, on stone (E. M. Sarnat #2335).
Paratypes. 5 workers, same data as holotype.
Citation of original description
Sarnat, E. M. (2006). Lordomyrma (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the Fiji Islands. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 90: 9-42.
Synonyms
none
Classification
Vespoidea: Formicidae: Myrmicinae: Stenammini