The ant genus Linepithema (Formicidae: Dolichoderinae) in Colombia
Author
Escárraga, Mayron
Author
Guerrero, Roberto J.
text
Zootaxa
2016
4208
5
446
458
journal article
37393
10.11646/zootaxa.4208.5.3
ee97780c-8eb7-4edb-b8e0-eca0e70ed694
1175-5326
211765
69728BA3-6562-43A0-9A8F-6DCF61817BD1
Linepithema hirsutum
sp. nov.
(
Figs. 1
A, 1B, 3)
Holotype
worker.
NARIÑO
: Barbacoas,
Reserva Natural El Pangán
,
1°21’49”N
78°4’45”W
,
640 m
, manual collection,
28.vii.2006
, A
.
Miranda
and
O. Reyes
, deposited in IAvH (IAvH-E 95404).
Paratypes.
Same data as holotype, deposited in CCBUMAG (1w, CBUMAG 06968), IAvH (35w), and the California Academy of Sciences (1w, CASENT0179544).
Holotype
worker measurements.
HL 0.70, HW 0.66,
MFC
0.16, SL 0.64, FL 0.62,
LHT
0.64, ES 1.4, PW 0.44, CI 94, SI 91, CDI 24, IO 20.
Worker measurements.
(n= 31) HL 0.56–0.70, HW 0.40–0.68, MCF 0.12–0.16, SL 0.54–0.70, FL 0.50–0.62, LHT 0.46–0.70, ES 0.96–1.68, PW 0.36–0.48, CI 67–97, SI 91–107, CDI 21–36, IO 15–25.
Worker diagnosis.
Many erect setae on body; pronotum with more than 10 erect setae; surface anterior to the metapleural gland orifice lacking pubescence; body color yellow.
Worker description.
Head longer than wide (CI 67–97), lateral margins of head convex, posterior margin almost straight to slightly concave (
Fig. 1
A). In full-face view, head reaches widest point behind compound eyes level. Compound eye size small to moderate (OI 15–25), with 38–40 ommatidia. Antennal scape short to moderately long (SI 91–107), exceeding posterior margin of the head by almost 1/4 its scape length. Frontal carinae narrowly to broadly separated (CDI 21–36). Maxillary palps of moderate length, below ½ HL, segment 6 shorter to somewhat same length than segment 2. Pronotum and anterior portion of mesonotum form continuous convexity. Mesonotal dorsum usually with slight medial impression. Metanotal groove moderately impressed. In lateral view, propodeum frequently high, with dorsal face rounded to straight (
Fig. 1
B). Petiolar scale sharp and anteriorly inclined. Head with numerous erect setae on the lateral and posterior margins; more than 10 erect setae on head dorsum, excluding those on clypeus. Pronotum with 12–24 erect setae, usually 2–4 setae are longer than rest of pronotal setae. Dorsum of the mesonotum and propodeum with 10–20 short erect setae. Petiolar scale with 4–8 erect setae. Gastral tergites with numerous erect setae shorter than those on the mesosoma. Legs and antennal scape with numerous short erect setae. Dorsal surface of head and mesosoma dull to moderately shining; sculpture on scapes shagreened or granular. Pubescence dense on head, mesosomal dorsum, anterior face of petiolar scale, and gastric tergites 1–4. Meso- and metapleura smooth and shiny, lacking pubescence.
Queen and Male: Unknown.
FIGURE 1.
Linepithema hirsutum
worker paratype (CBUMAG 06968).
Distribution.
Linepithema hirsutum
is known from a single location in Reserva Natural el Pangán, department of
Nariño
(
Fig. 3
).
Biology.
The specimens of
L. hirsutum
were collected at
640–671 m
with pitfall traps, Winkler traps, and hand collection in a tropical rainforest in the Reserva Natural El Pangán. The yearly temperature range of Pangán is between 12–24°C.
Etymology.
From Latin
hirsutus
because of the many erect hairs on the body surface. This name is a neutral noun.
Discussion.
Linepithema hirsutum
is the only species of
Linepithema
with numerous erect setae throughout the body surface.
L. tsachila
has no more than eight erect setae on the pronotum, while
L. hirsutum
has 12–24. Variation in the number of erect setae was found; larger specimens had more and longer setae, and smaller specimens had shorter and fewer setae. We propose that this species is in the
L. fuscum
-group, on account of the lack of metapleural pubescence and the presence of a well-developed clypeal groove.
Examined material.
NARIÑO
: Barbacoas,
Reserva Natural el Pangán
,
1°21’49”N
78°4’45”W
,
640m
, Manual
; 1°21'N 78°5'24"W,
671m
,
winkler and pitfall trap
(IAvH).