Probolomyrmex boliviensis Mann

Agosti, D., 1995, A revision of the South American species of the ant genus Probolomyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)., Journal of the New York Entomological Society 102, pp. 429-434 : 432-433

Probolomyrmex boliviensis Mann

boliviensis Mann 1923: 16. Holotype female, BOLIVIA, Beni, Rurrenabaque , W. M. Mann. USNM type 25906 . Description of larva, pupa and biology: Taylor , 1965: 348 - 9, 360 - 1 [checked] .

angusticeps M. R. Smith 1949: 39. Syntypes 2 workers, Panama, Barro Colorado Island, Zetek # 5272. Smithsonian type 58833 [checked]. Synonymy by Brown, 1975: 11 [see also note 22 in Brown, 1975: 57]. Synonymy confirmed.

FEMALE. HL 0.67 - 0.70, HW 0.45 - 0.5, SL 0.47 - 0.61, TL 0.98 - 1.06, CI 65 - 69, SI 105 - 123, Figures 1 - 2 (3 examined).

WORKER. HL 0.68 - 0.82, HW 0.42 - 0.47, SL 0.50 - 0.64, TL 0.96 - 1.25, CI 57 - 62, SI 119 - 136, Figures 3 - 4 (15 examined).

Material examined. 18 workers, 3 females, deposited in MCZ and USNM. PANAMA, Barro Colorado Island, Canal Zone , 21 June 1961, R. W. & W. Taylor ; PANAMA, pipeline road, Gamboa , 1976, Sclavings . COLOMBIA, Magdalena , Tayrona PK, Pueblito , 1 October 1976, Berlese sample, leaf litter, C. Kugler . PERU, Madre de Dios, Cuzco Amazonico , 15 km NE of Puerto Maldonaldo , 200 m, Terra Firme forest, plot 1 U 15, rotten chunk of wood half buried in soil, 22 June 1989, S. P. Cover & J. Tobin .

Comments. This is the largest of the South American species. It is easily diagnosed by the combination of its mesosoma size, the short scape and the very distinct sculpture. The synonymy could be confirmed through a series of workers and females. The biology of boliviensis is described in detail by Taylor (1965), but many questions such as nutritional base need to be answered. This species occurs in rainforests of northern South America, from Panama to Bolivia.