Pogonomyrmex abdominalis, Santschi, 1929

Johnson, Robert A., 2021, A taxonomic revision of South American species of the seed-harvester ant genus Pogonomyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Part II, Zootaxa 5033 (1), pp. 1-230 : 227-228

Pogonomyrmex abdominalis

Male diagnosis. Males of this species are diagnosed by the following combination of features: (1) first gastral tergum lacking striae, (2) small (HW <1.10 mm; ML <2.00 mm), (3) in dorsal view, posterior surface of petiolar node rugoreticulate, (4) in profile, petiolar node rounded, (5) pronotal sides rugoreticulate, (6) in profile, inferior propodeal spines moderately well developed, broadly rounded, (7) notauli present, (8) in profile, length of most hairs on dorsum of mesosoma much longer than MOD, and (9) posterior declivitous surface of cephalic dorsum with longitudinal rugae, interrugae shining ( Figure 114 ).

Measurements —(n = 2). HL 0.99–1.06; HW 1.01–1.04; MOD 0.44–0.47; OMD 0.15–0.16; SL 0.25–0.29; HFL 1.30–1.34; ML 1.84–1.98; PW 0.39–0.40; PPW 0.59–0.60. Indices: SI 24.04–28.71; CI 95.28–105.05; OI 42.31–46.53; HFI 128.71–128.85.

A more detailed diagnosis of P. naegelii is given herein so as to separate males of these two closely related species (Johnson, 2015). Note that the male of closely related P. tenuipubens remains undescribed.

Diagnosis of P. naegelii male. Males of this species are diagnosed by the following combination of features: (1) first gastral tergum lacking striae, (2) small (HW <1.10 mm; ML <2.00 mm), (3) in dorsal view, posterior surface of petiolar node rugoreticulate, (4) in profile, petiolar node rounded, (5) pronotal sides rugoreticulate, (6) in profile, inferior propodeal spines moderately well developed, broadly rounded, and (7) notauli present, (8) in profile, length of most hairs on dorsum of mesosoma approaching to slightly longer than MOD, and (9) posterior declivitous surface of cephalic dorsum rugoreticulate, interrugae dull ( Figure 115 ).

New geographic records

P. inermis : Argentina: Catamarca: Rt 48 at 8.0 km SSW Buena Vista , 5,550’ ( RAJC). This record extends the range of P. inermis more than 400 km north of previous records in the Provinces of Mendoza, San Luis, and Córdoba.

Figures

FIGURE 114. Photographs of Pogonomyrmex abdominalis male: (A) frontal view of head, (B) lateral view of body, and (C) dorsal view of body (CASENT0922554). Photographs by Michele Esposito from www.AntWeb.org.

FIGURE 115. Photographs of Pogonomyrmex naegelii male: (A) frontal view of head, (B) lateral view of body, and (C) dorsal view of body (CASENT0172688). Photographs by April Nobile from www.AntWeb.org.