Taxonomic revision of the genus Prionopelta Mayr, 1866 (Formicidae: Amblyoponinae) for the Neotropical region
Ladino, Natalia
Feitosa, Rodrigo M.
Zootaxa
2020
2020-07-31
4821
2
201
249
Ladino & Feitosa, 2020
Ladino & Feitosa
2020
[151,432,1446,1473]
Insecta
Formicidae
Prionopelta
Animalia
Hymenoptera
31
232
Arthropoda
species
menininha
sp. nov.
Figures 22, 35B
Holotypeworker: BRAZIL: Bahia: São Desidério, Gruta do Catão, Epígeo, 03.xi.2012, SDes146, DZUP549778 ( 1 specimen) [ DZUP]. Paratypeworker:same data as holotype, DZUP549779 ( 1 specimen) [ DZUP].
Diagnosis.Lateral portion of frons deeply sculptured in full-face view. Eleven antennomeres. Subpetiolar process forming a relatively broad lobe; posteroventral angle of subpetiolar process obtuse. T1W greater than 0.40mm.
Holotypemeasurements.HL 0.54; HW 0.50; SL 0.30; WL 0.68; PrL 0.28; PrW 0.36; PetNL 0.24; PetW 0.30; PetH 0.22; PetL 0.22; T1L 0.30; T1W 0.46; TL 1.74; CI 92; SI 60; PetI 125; PetHI 100; PetWI 136. Worker measurements(n=5). HL 0.54–0.56; HW 0.46–0.50; SL 0.28–0.32; WL 0.60 –0.70; PrL 0.24–0.28; PrW 0.30–0.36; PetNL 0.16–0.24; PetW 0.28–0.32; PetH 0.20–0.22; PetL 0.18–0.22; T1L 0.26–0.30; T1W 0.42– 0.46; TL 1.58–1.76; CI 85–92; SI 56–66; PetI 125–200; PetHI 100–122; PetWI 136–177. Worker description.Body light brown. Integument covered by deep and dense punctate sculpturing; space between the punctures of lateral portion of frons corresponding to one or almost two puncture diameters. Head slightly longer than broad; length of median tooth of mandible shorter than basal tooth; basal margins of mandibles convex. Clypeus evenly rounded. Eleven antennomeres; antennomeres 1–4 separated by shallow constrictions. Eye placed at the midlength of the head. Pronotum broader than long. Distance between the propodeal spiracle and the bulla of the metapleural gland corresponding to one spiracular diameter; distance between the propodeal spiracle and the propodeal dorsum corresponding to three spiracular diameters. Petiolar node slightly higher than long. Subpetiolar process forming a relatively broad lobe, with its anterior and posterior margins subparallel; posterior margin concave; posteroventral angle obtuse. Queen.Unknown. Male.Unknown.
Etymology.The species is named in honor of Maria Escolástica da Conceição Nazaré, also known as “Mãe Menininha do Gantois”, a descendant of the Nigerian Yoruba royalty enslaved in Brazil, and one of the most prominent Brazilian iyalorixá(spiritual leader of the Afro-Brazilian religion Candomblé). The species name is a recognition to the Afro-Brazilian religions and community, and to the state of Bahia, from where P. menininhais mainly known. The specific epithet is a Portuguese noun in apposition, indeclinable in accordance to articles 31.2.1 and 31.2.3 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature.
Distribution ( Fig. 35B).The species is known from northeastern and southeastern Brazil, in the states of Bahia, Ceará, and Minas Gerais.
Comments. This species can be confused with P. punctulataand P. tapatiabecause of the presence of eleven antennomeres. However, morphological features allow the separation of these three species. Prionopelta punctulatahas the clypeus strongly projecting medially and the subpetiolar process with margins apically convergent, in contrast to P. menininha. It can be distinguished from P. tapatiamainly by the obtuse posteroventral angle of the subpetiolar process, acute in P. tapatia. Also, P. menininhahas the petiolar node and the first gastral segment wider and longer than P. tapatia. Finally, so far, P. tapatiais a species endemic to Mexico. Natural history.Most specimens are known from pitfall and soil samples collected in dry forest areas. Additional material examined ( 5 specimens). BRAZIL: Bahia: Itaberaba, Faz. Riacho do Uruçu, 5.xii.1990, CRF Brandão, JLM Diniz& PS Oliveiracols., ( 1 worker) [ MZSP]. Salvador, vii e x.2012, Melo T.S.col., ( 2 workers) [ DZUP]. Ceará: Cratéus, São Luis, 05°08’S 40°51’W, 20-30.iv.2003, Y. Quinetcol., pitfall, mata seca (1 worker) [ MZSP]. Minas Gerais: Manga, Parque Estadual da Mata Seca, Estágio Intermediário, 26.ix.2008, Marques T.& estagiários, parcela 07, am. 3, estrato sub, UFV LABECOL n°000115 ( 1 worker) [ UFV].
3015413333
2012-11-03
DZUP
Brazil
Sao Desiderio
Epigeo
Gruta do Catao
31
232
1
Bahia
holotype
3015413397
[199,1091,1626,1654]
2012-11-03
DZUP
Brazil
Sao Desiderio
Epigeo
Gruta do Catao
31
232
1
Bahia
paratype
3015413364
1990-12-05
2012-10
1990-12-05
MZSP, DZUP
PS Oliveira & Melo T. S.
Brazil
Itaberaba
Brandao
Faz. Riacho do Urucu
32
233
3
3
Bahia
3015413319
2003-04-20
2003-04-30
2003-04-20
MZSP
Y. Quinet
Brazil
33
234
-5.133333
Sao Luis
1305
-40.85
Crateus
32
233
1
Ceara
3015413350
2008-09-26
UFV
Marques T.
Brazil
Manga
Estagio Intermediario
Parque Estadual da Mata Seca
33
234
1
1
Minas Gerais