Cerapachys (Cerapachys) neotropicus, Weber, N. A., 1939

Weber, N. A., 1939, New ants of rare genera and a new genus of ponerine ants., Annals of the Entomological Society of America 32, pp. 91-104 : 93-94

Cerapachys (Cerapachys) neotropicus , sp. nov.

(Fig. 1)

Worker.-Length, 3 mm. Head, excluding mandibles, slightly over 1 1/3 as long as wide, rectangular with gently convex sides and transverse occipital margin; anterior clypeal margin gently convex with minute medial tooth; mandibles trigonal with finely and irregularly denticulate cutting margin; frontal carinae in form of close, slightly divergent anteriorly, subvertical lamellae; antennal fossa sub-circular, bounded laterally by distinct carinae; eyes closer to mandibles than to occiput, very small, only slightly convex. Antennae 12-jointed; scapes clavate, all funicular joints transverse except terminal joint. Thorax from above twice as long as wide; rectangular with slightly convex pronotal margin, slightly impressed laterally in meso-epinotal region and from here posteriorly slightly convex at sides; epinotum convex between the distinct teeth. Petiole from above 1 1/4 longer than wide, quadrangular with posterior corners rounded, posterior margin and sides feebly convex. Postpetiole from above slightly longer than petiole and nearly 1 1/2 times broader, trapezoidal with feebly and irregularly convex sides. Gaster distinctly constricted between first and second segments, the latter distinctly larger than the former. Legs moderately short.

Body shining, with coarse but only moderately abundant setigerous punctations. Legs smooth and shining with very few punctations.

Hairs fine, yellowish white, upright or inclined, limited to punctations on body, more numerous on appendages. Antennal funiculi with sparse, short hairs interspersed with short, appressed pubescence.

Color dark reddish brown, appendages lighter brown.

Described from one worker taken by myself among leaves in low forest near Guapo Bay, Gulf of Paria, Trinidad, B. W. I., April 4, 1935. This locality is near the famous Pitch Lake and the area has an annual rainfall of between 70 and 80 inches. The forest was characterized by the abundance of the cocorite palm ( Maximiliana caribaea ).