Azteca ovaticeps Forel

Longino, J. T., 2007, A taxonomic review of the genus Azteca (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Costa Rica and a global revision of the aurita group., Zootaxa 1491, pp. 1-63 : 42-43

Azteca ovaticeps Forel 1904

Figures 4A,6C,7.

Azteca alfaroi var. ovaticeps Forel 1904a:44. Syntype queens, workers: Brazil, Pará ( Göldi) [ MHNG MCZC] (examined). Raised to species: Longino 1989a:8.

Azteca alfari var. aequilata Forel 1904b:691. Lectotype worker: Brazil, Amazonas, Cachveira Jurua (ex Cecropia No. 5587) [ MHNG] (examined). Synonymy by Longino 1989a:8.

Azteca alfari var. aequalis Forel 1906:239. Lectotype worker: Brazil, Mexiana Island, Amazon delta (Hagmann) [ MHNG] (examined). Description of queen, male: Forel 1908b:387. Synonymy by Longino 1989a:8.

Azteca alfari subsp. tuberosa Forel 1906:240. Syntype workers, queen: Brazil, Ceará (Diaz da Rocha) [ MHNG MCZC] (examined). Synonymy by Longino 1989a:8.

Queen characters. Measurements (n=11): HLA 1.60 (1.52-1.65), HW 1.34 (1.27-1.37), SL 0.81 (0.79- 0.84), CI 83 (82-85), SI 51 (49-53).

Similar to A. alfari in almost all respects; differing as follows: fourth abdominal tergum with> 10 erect setae (rarely fewer), exclusive of posterior row (<6 in A. alfari ); dorsal surface of head, when viewed in profile, often with setae bridging the gap between the ocellar region and the upper vertex, and often with setae extending up from the clypeus almost to the ocellar region (these areas devoid of setae in A. alfari ); scape relatively long (SI 49-54 versus 45-49 in A. alfari , Fig. 6C); color usually light red brown, A. alfari usually black.

Worker characters. Measurements (n=5): HLA 1.16 (0.93-1.31), HW 1.02 (0.87-1.19), SL 0.71 (0.59- 0.78), CI 92 (88-94), SI 61 (60-67).

Similar to A. alfari in almost all respects and not always distinguishable. In general A. ovaticeps is more setose, with a "scruffy" appearance on the mesosomal dorsum. There are always> 10 setae on the mesonotum, with median number about 20, and they are of irregular length. In contrast, A. alfari has a cleaner look, with fewer dorsal setae. There are 2-17 setae on the mesonotum, with median number 8, and they are of relatively more even length.

Similar species. Azteca ovaticeps is distinguished from A. alfari as described above. Workers of A. ovaticeps may also be confused with workers of A. forelii . Mandibles of A. ovaticeps workers are smooth and shiny; mandibles of A. forelii workers are roughened and dull.

Range. Costa Rica to Amazonian Brazil and Bolivia.

Biology. The taxonomy and biology of A. ovaticeps is reviewed in Longino (1989a, 1991b).

Azteca ovaticeps is an obligate Cecropia ant. Its biology is very similar to A. alfari , with which it is often locally sympatric. Azteca ovaticeps tends to be more abundant in mature forest areas, older second growth forest, and river banks in mature forest, while A. alfari becomes dominant in open and highly disturbed habitats, such as roadsides and agricultural areas. Azteca ovaticeps is more geographically variable than A. alfari and may be paraphyletic with respect to A. alfari (Longino 1989a, Ayala et al. 1996).

Material examined. See Longino (1989a).