Strumigenys hubbewatyorum, Booher & Prebus & Lubertazzi, 2019

Booher, Douglas B., Prebus, Matthew & Lubertazzi, David, 2019, A taxonomic revision of the Strumigenys nitens and simulans groups (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), two Caribbean radiations of leaf litter ants, Zootaxa 4656 (2), pp. 335-358 : 343-345

Strumigenys hubbewatyorum sp. nov.

( Fig. 4 )

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:91723572-070D-4074-944A-AF8ADA8C5CD3

Holotype worker: CUBA: Guantanamo, El Yunque Peak , 20.31300 -74.57400 150m, 540m, 31-Jan-2012, collected by F. Cala #RSA2012-018. Winkler extraction of sifted litter, wet rainforest, 1 worker (CASENT0630256) [ MCZC, secondary specimen code MCZ-ENT00036130].

Paratype worker: CUBA: Cienfuegos: Parco Nacionale Pico San Juan , near road, 21.98542 -80.14873 50m, 1026m 20m, 19-May-2013, collected by R. S. Anderson #RSA2013-023, Winkler extraction of sifted litter, hardwood forest, 1 worker (CASENT0636117) [ CASC] .

Diagnosis. The head pilosity (2 elongate apicoscrobal setae), larger size (WL> 0.56 mm), and longer femur (> 0.38mm) separates S. hubbewatyorum from all other species in the S. nitens group. Otherwise the morphology of S. hubbewatyorum is allometrically similar to S. nitens , the only other species in the nitens group with a dental count of five + two intercalary denticles. Pilosity and coloration also separate this species from closely related congeners S. nitens and S. caiman (see S. nitens for diagnostic characters separating them, and also from other members of the nitens group).

Holotype worker measurements. HL = 0.52; HW = 0.41; HT = 0.33; ML = 0.18; PW = 0.27; SL = 0.27; FL = 0.39; EL = 0.07; TL = 2.36; WL = 0.62; CI = 79; MI = 35; SI = 66.

Paratype worker measurements (n = 1). HL = 0.53; HW = 0.39; HT = 0.32; ML = 0.17; PW = 0.25; SL = 0.25; FL = 0.40; EL = 0.06; TL = 2.21; WL = 0.57; CI = 74; MI = 32; SI = 64.

Worker description. Mandibles in full face view and at full closure elongate-triangular and strongly tapering apically; MI 32–35. Distalmost third tooth of the inner mandibular margin and extreme apices of mandibles engage, and a broad subovate gap is present between them through which the broad labral lobes are visible. Inner mandibular margin with two elongate conical teeth whose apices are widely separated in addition to a third elongate-triangular tooth whose apices touch at full closure; the first about one-quarter of the margin length from the base, the second about one-half way along the margin, and the third at three-quarters the way along the margin. Mandibular apex with two teeth arranged vertically: the upper long and spiniform, and the lower elongate-triangular; two large intercalary denticles arise between these apical teeth along the upper margin of the lowermost tooth, these teeth stout-triangular (see figure 4). Lateral corners of clypeus and cephalic dorsum between the frontal carinae may have fine faint longitudinal striolate-punctate sculpture, but dorsum of head and clypeus otherwise smooth and shining. Antennal scapes long: SI 64–66. Lateral margins of the head roughly parallel; posterior margin shallowly concave in full-face view. Dorsum of head with elongate, simple to narrowly expanded setae which curve toward the midline of the head. In profile view, faint punctate sculpture present between the compound eye and the postbuccal impression. Compound eye large: diameter greater than to the maximum width of the antennal scape having 12–15 ommatidia.

Mesosoma elongate: WL 2.3 times PW. Uniformly smooth and shining, with faint traces of punctate sculpture at the dorsolateral margins and anterior dorsal surface of propodeum. Dorsal surface with elongate, simple to slightly expanded decumbent setae which curve toward the midline of the mesosoma.

Petiolar node narrow, roughly 1/2 as broad as postpetiole in dorsal view. Petiolar peduncle covered in light punctate sculpture, but dorsal surface of petiole and postpetiole smooth and shining. Dorsal surfaces of petiole and postpetiole with elongate, spatulate setae.

Basigastral costulae sparse (six counted in paratype and holotype workers) and present only on the limbus and the extreme base of the first gastral tergite, the remainder of which is smooth and shining. First gastral tergite with numerous long, fine, tapering setae.

Head, mesosoma, gaster, and appendages uniformly dark reddish to piceous-brown.

Distribution and ecology. Known from two localities in southeast and central Cuba, both of which were higher elevation (540 and 1026 m) mature wet forest. The holotype worker and paratype were collected from leaf litter extractions.

Taxonomic notes. Etymology: This species name is a portmanteau of a couple’s names, tropical ecologist Stephen P. Hubbell and behavioral ecologist Patricia Adair Gowaty, who were PhD co-advisors to D. B. Booher. It is in honor of their love of natural history and for their support of taxonomic endeavors outside of Booher’s dissertation research.

Figures

FIGURE 4. Holotype worker of Strumigenys hubbewatyorum (CASENT0630256/MCZ-ENT00036130; photographer Michele Esposito: a) dorsal view b) profile view c) full-face view. Scale bars 0.2 mm.