Sericomyrmex wheeleri pakeelai, Neal A. Weber, University of North Dakota, 1936

Neal A. Weber, University of North Dakota, 1936, The biology of the fungus-growing ants. Part. I. New forms. 1, Revista de Entomologia 7, pp. 378-409 : 398

Sericomyrmex wheeleri pakeelai , ssp. nov. (Fig. 9)

Worker: Length 3.4-4.2 mm. - Head, excluding mandibles and occipital spines, as long as broad, impressed on posterior border. Occipital spines long and blunt, a little logger than the diameter of the eyes. Short, blunt lateral spines above eyes. Antennal scrobes distinct. Antennal scapes extending to apices of occipital spines, about twice as long distally as proximally. Terminal joint of funiculus distinctly shorter than joints 7-9 and but little longer than joints 2-4. Thorax in profile as illustrated (Fig. 9). Basal face of epinotum with more distinct and even ridges and with lower epinotal spines than in typical wheeleri . Gaster with lateral ridges.

Pilosity more abundant and appressed than in typical wheeleri . In addition to the reclinate coarse hairs appearing black basally and gray distally, there are interspersed numerous finer hairs of pale yellowish color. These with a grayish bloom, obscure the integument more than in typical wheeleri . - Pale ferruginous.

Described from a colony taken by myself June 23, 1936, by the Oko River, a tributary of the Cuyuni River, British Guiana. The nest entrance was in the form of a turret, built against a steep slope, whose one side was 45 mm. high and whose opposite side was flush with the slope. The nest structure, consisting of 5 chambers, containing pendant.fungus gardens, and the beginning of a sixth will be described in a subsequent paper.

This form differs from typical wheeleri chiefly in shorter terminal joint of funiculus, more abundant pilosity, color and in the characters of thorax and pedicel shown in the illustrations.

It is dedicated to the Indian hunter, Pakeela, who never failed in bringing back an abundance of game to the camp and who often assisted me in my studies.