Systematic studies on Pseudomyrmex acacia-ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Pseudomyrmecinae)
Author
Ward, Philip S.
text
Journal of Hymenoptera Research
1993
2
117
168
journal article
10.5281/zenodo.10150
2958
80669360-1DB2-4B74-9F4B-99DD3E7EBBFA
Pseudomyrmex reconditus Ward
,
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
)
.
Holotype
andparatype 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.
Paratype
queen 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.
gracilis
group (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 (
PLI
0.60-0.64), 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
type
specimens; 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. gracilis
group by the combination of broad head (see Cl values), robust petiole (
PLI
0.60-0.64), and black pilosity.
P. reconditus
is similar to an undescribed
Pseudomyrmex
species collected from
Tachigali
in 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
type
collection from
Acacia collinsii
is the only record. A single worker of
P. nigropilosus
occurred in the same alcohol vial as the workers and queen of
P. reconditus
. It remains to be confirmed that
P. reconditus
is confined to nesting in swollen-thom acacias.