Systematic studies on Pseudomyrmex acacia-ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Pseudomyrmecinae)
Ward, Philip S.
Journal of Hymenoptera Research
1993
2
117
168
78FKQ
Ward
Ward
1993
Insecta
Formicidae
Pseudomyrmex
GBIF,CoL
Animalia
Hymenoptera
44
160
Arthropoda
species
reconditus
sp. nov.
(Fig. 8)
Holotype worker. - NICARAGUA, Madriz: 2.0 mi. S Honduran border,Hwy 1, 840m, 29.vii.1967, mi. 8207.2, D. H. Janzen, ex Acacia collinsii( LACM). Paratypes. - One worker, one dealate queen, same data as holotype ( LACM). Holotypeandparatype worker measurements. - HL 1.54, 1.44, HW 1.54, 1.47, MFC 0.071, 0.056, EL 0.93, 0.86, PL 0.88, 0.78, PH 0.57, 0.47, Cl 1.00, 1.02, OI 0.52, 0.52, REL 0.61, 0.59, REL2 0.61, 0.58, OOI -0.01, -0.01, VI 0.73, 0.71, FCI 0.046,0.038, SI 0.47,0.47, FI 0.44,0.39, PDI 1.21, 1.12, MPI 0.067, 0.061, NI 0.62, 0.64, PLI 0.64, 0.60, PWI 0.57, 0.53, PPWI 1.40, 1.25. Paratypequeen measurements. - HL 1.79, HW
1.66, MFC 0.065, EL 1.02, PL 1.21, PH 0.75, Cl 0.92, OI 0.51, REL 0.57, REL2 0.62, OOI 0.22, VI 0.79, FCI 0.039, SI 0.45, FI 0.46, NI 0.61, PLI 0.62, PWI 0.61, PPWI 1.53.
Worker diagnosis. - With the traits of the P. gracilisgroup (see couplet 6 of key) and the following more specific features. Head as broad as long; anterior margin of median clypeal lobe slightly convex, rounded laterally; pronotum with blunt dorsolateral margination; mesonotum more steeply inclined than basal face of propodeum; petiole of moderate length, high ( PLI0.60-0.64), with a distinct anterior peduncle but without a well developed anteroventral tooth (Figs. 8, 53), and lacking sharp dorsolateral margination; postpetiole notably broader than long. Mandibles weakly striolate, sublucid, becoming shagreened basally; head and mesosoma densely but finely punctulate-coriarious to coriarious-imbricate, subopaque; petiole, postpetiole, and gaster with fine piligerous punctures, obscured from view by the associated pubescence. Standing pilosity only moderately dense but with some apparent loss due to abrasion of the typespecimens; hairs mostly black, not silvery-white, present on the head, mesosoma dorsum, petiole, and postpetiole; at least some moderately long ( 0.23-0.27 mm) hairs on the propodeum and petiole; one or two short hairs present on the outer faces of the meso- and meta-tibiae, the others possibly worn off; fine appressed golden pubescence present on most of the body. Head and mesosoma black, gaster dark brown, petiole and postpetiole orange; appendages brown, with orange flecking on the legs.
Taxonomic comments. This species is known only from the types. It is readily distinguished from all other acacia-associated species in the P. gracilisgroup by the combination of broad head (see Cl values), robust petiole ( PLI0.60-0.64), and black pilosity. P. reconditusis similar to an undescribed Pseudomyrmexspecies collected from Tachigaliin northern Peru (P. sp. PSW-35) but the latter has a shorter petiole, more extensive silvery-white pilosity and pubescence, and is all black in color.
Biology. - The typecollection from Acacia collinsiiis the only record. A single worker of P. nigropilosusoccurred in the same alcohol vial as the workers and queen of P. reconditus. It remains to be confirmed that P. reconditusis confined to nesting in swollen-thom acacias.
1416639653
1967-07-29
LACM
D. H. Janzen
Nicaragua
840 m
2.0 mi. S Honduran border, Hwy 1, mi. 8207.2
44
160
1
1
Madriz
holotype
1416639651
1967-07-29
LACM
D. H. Janzen
Nicaragua
840 m
2.0 mi. S Honduran border, Hwy 1, mi. 8207.2
44
160
2
1
1
Madriz
paratype