Cyphomyrmex hamulatus Weber, 1966

Kempf, W. W., 1966, A revision of the Neotropical fungus-growing ants of the genus Cyphomyrmex Mayr. Part II. Group of rimosus (Spinola) (Hym. Formicidae)., Studia Entomologica (N. S.) 8, pp. 161-200 : 197-198

15. Cyphomyrmex hamulatus Weber , n. stat.

(Figs. 9, 22, 39, 47)

Cyphomyrmex rimosus hamulatus Weber , 1938: 190 (Worker; Bolivia: C. Esperanza). - Weber, 1940: 412 (Worker; key).

Types. - A few workers taken in March 1922 by W. M. Mann at Cachuela Esperanza on the lower Beni River in Bolivia. Four specimens (syntypes: NAW, MCZ, WWK) examined.

Worker. - Total length 2.7 mm; head length 0.66 mm; head width 0.63-0.66 mm; thorax length 0.88-0.93 mm; hind femur length 0.72-0.75 mm. Ferruginous, with head and gaster somewhat infuscated. Very close to rimosus but presenting the following particularities:

Frontal carinae (Fig. 9) quite sinuous. Antennal scape surpassing the occipital corner - which bears a minute acute denticle - by a distance equalling its maximum width. Funicular segments II and III combined as long as segment I. Eyes with 7-8 facets across the greatest diameter. All carinae very sharp and somewhat foliaceous. Promesonotal tubercles acutely pointed (Fig. 22). Basal face and upper half of declivous face of epinotum laterally carinate. Hind femora (Fig. 47) angulate at basal third, postero-ventral border with a narrow foliaceous crest. Petiolar node (Fig. 39) rather transverse, strongly constricted behind. Postpetiole with a shallow and broad postero-median impression, flanked by a pair of low and inconspicuous lateral ridges, terminating behind in a low rounded tubercle, not very prominent in profile; postero-lateral impressions rather deep. Tergum I of gaster with a very short and vestigial antero-median impression; sides of same tergum rather sharply marginate. Hairs short, simple and hooked, those of gaster are produced on distinct tubercles.

Female and male unknown.

Distribution. - Besides the types from Bolivia, the species has been recently collected on the Cerro Campana, Panama, at an altitude of 800-950 m, on January 17, 1960, G. B. FaircHild and W. L. Brown Jr. leg. 9 workers (B-92 and B-113).

Discussion. - The sharp carinae and spines and the striking hook-like pilosity arising from minute but sharp tubercles on gaster characterize the present species. Since hamulatus is now also known from Panama, the evidence in favor of its specific independence seems to me quite convincing.