Adelomyrmex betoi Fernandez, 2003

Fernández, F., 2003, Revision of the myrmicine ants of the Adelomyrmex genus-group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)., Zootaxa 361, pp. 1-52 : 13

Adelomyrmex betoi Fernandez NEW SPECIES (Fig. 72)

Worker measurements. Holotype. HL 0.59 HW 0.49 SL 0.32 EL 0.025 WL 0.55 GL 0.72 TL 2.35 CI 83 SI 67.

Worker diagnosis. Mandibles with 5 teeth. Anterior margin of clypeal plate concave. Eyes small, with 4 ommatidia. Hypostomal tooth inconspicuous. Mesosoma evenly curved, metanotal groove shallow. Propodeal teeth triangular, the point upward. Petiolar node thick. Postpetiole posteriorly with a strong transverse carinae. Head rugoreticulated, the rugulae long, longitudinal, the sculpturation mixed with dense punctuation. Promesonotum irregularly rugolose at center, rugoreticulated in the periphery. All carinae or rugulae beade-like. Petiole and postpetiole laterally with irregular rugulae. Mesosoma and gaster devoid of any pilosity. Head, mesosoma, petiole, postpetiole dark brown, appendages and gaster brown.

Queen and male: Unknown.

Holotype worker: MÉXICO: Veracruz, Cordoba , Paraje Nuevo, Nacimiento, tropical evergreen forest, Ver. 176 , 7.viii.1969, S. & J. Peck (Deposited in MZSP).

Paratypes: MÉXICO: 3 w, Veracruz, 4.4 mi N Huatusco, 4200’ , 2.viii.1973, A. Newton ( MZSP). 13 w, MÉXICO: Oaxaca, 15 mi S Valle Nacional town, 400 feet , 21.V.1971, S. Peck leg. No. 204 (Deposited in MZSP, IAvH, ICN, LACM, MIZA, USNM, BMNH, PSW).

Comments. A. betoi is easily separated from the other members of the genus by the bead-like carinae or rugulae. That is, the carinae are not continuous, but look “plaited”. The mesosoma and gaster are devoid of any pilosity, a trait unique in the genus. Moreover, the posterior face of the petiole has a strong transverse keel.