Wasmannia sulcaticeps Emery

Longino, J. T. & Fernández, F., 2007, Taxonomic review of the genus Wasmannia., Advances in ant systematics (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): Homage to E. O. Wilson - 50 years of contributions. (Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 80), pp. 271-289 : 281

Wasmannia sulcaticeps Emery

Wasmannia sulcaticeps Emery , 1894: 195. Holotype worker: Argentina, Buenos Aires. Description of queen, male: Forel, 1914: 280.

Wasmannia sulcaticeps var. weiseri Forel , 1914: 281.

Syntype queen, male: Argentina, Cordoba, Canals (Weiser) [ MHNG] (examined). NEW SYNONYMY. Wasmannia bruchi Santschi , 1919: 43. Syntype worker: Argentina, La Plata (Bruch) [ NHMB] (examined). Junior synonym of sulcaticeps : Kusnezov, 1952: 174.

Comments

Wasmannia sulcaticeps and williamsoni are two related species that occur at the far southern limit of the genus, in Argentina. They are both distinguished from other members of the genus by the heavy striate sculpture on the face and by the very small propodeal spiracle.

Kusnezov (1952) described the Wasmannia fauna of Argentina, and sulcaticeps and williamsoni were described as having an allopatric distribution. Wasmannia sulcaticeps occurred in more humid environments near Buenos Aires and in the northern provinces of Tucuman, Salta, and Jujuy. Wasmannia williamsoni occurred in the more arid habitats west of Buenos Aires. Kusnezov did not mention var. weiseri , and its type locality is between the ranges of sulcaticeps and williamsoni shown on his distribution map. Forel ’ s description of weiseri noted only minor differences from sulcaticeps .