Rasopone guatemalensis, Longino, John T. & Branstetter, Michael G., 2020

Longino, John T. & Branstetter, Michael G., 2020, Phylogenomic Species Delimitation, Taxonomy, and ‘ Bird Guide’ Identification for the Neotropical Ant Genus Rasopone (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Insect Systematics and Diversity 4 (2), No. 1, pp. 1-33 : 23

Rasopone guatemalensis New Species

( Fig. 8 ; Supp Figs. S14 and S15 [online only])

(Zoobank LSID: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:8ADF3C2C-761B-4BD8-BC4A-E74B563BF801 )

HOLOTYPE: Guatemala, Suchitepéquez: Refugio El Quetzal , 14.55483 −91.19299 ± 50 m, 1,838 m, 15-vi-2009, oak forest, ex sifted leaf litter, R. S. Anderson, RSA2009-102 [ CAS, unique specimen identifier CASENT0611754 ] . PARATYPES: same data as holotype [1 worker, DZUP, CASENT0644547 ; 1 worker, JTLC, CASENT0644546 ; 1 worker, MCZC, CASENT0644544 ; 1 worker, UCD, CASENT0644545 ; 1 worker, UNAM, CASENT0644548 ] ; same data except 14.54967 −91.19357 ± 50 m, 1,641 m, mixed hardwood forest, RSA 2009-103 [1 worker, UVGC, CASENT0611773 ] ; 4 km S Vol. Atitlán , 14.54992 −91.18999 ± 50 m, 1,625 m, 15-vi- 2009, cloud forest, ex sifted leaf litter, LLAMA, Wa-B-09-1-46 [1 dealate queen, CAS, CASENT0612926 ] ; 14.55103 −91.1935 ± 306 m, 1,750 m, 15-vi-2009, Wm-B-09-2-01 [1 worker, USNM, CASENT0611836 ] .

Geographic range. Mexico (Chiapas) to Guatemala.

Diagnosis. Montane; mandible smooth and shining or very faintly striate; anterior clypeal margin truncate; side of head bare or with few, inconspicuous setae; petiolar node tapering, scale-like. One species is within geographic and size range of R. guatemalensis :

Rasopone politognatha ( Fig. 9 ; Supp Figs. S28 and S29 [online only]): petiole less scale-like; head broader (mean CI 92 vs 86).

Measurements, worker: HW 1.11 (1.05–1.23, 9); HL 1.29 (1.20– 1.43, 9); SL 0.97 (0.94–1.00, 3); PTH 0.75 (0.72–0.79, 9); PTL 0.43 (0.39–0.46, 9); CI 86 (82–89, 9); SI 86 (85–87, 3); PTI 56 (52–61, 9). Measurements, queen: HW 1.11 (1.06–1.16, 2); HL 1.25 (1.22– 1.28, 2); SL 0.95 (0.91–0.99, 2); PTH 0.75 (0.71–0.79, 2); PTL 0.42 (0.42–0.43, 2); CI 89 (87–90, 2); SI 86 (85–86, 2); PTI 57 (54–59, 2).

Biology

This species occurs in cloud forest habitats, with a known elevational range of 1,270 –1,850 m. Habitats include pine and oak forests, and diverse mesophyll forests. All known specimens are from Winkler and Berlese samples of forest floor litter and rotten wood. Most specimens are workers, but two dealate queens are known.

Comments

UCE and COI results support this species delimitation.

Figures

Fig. 8. Distribution map, face view, and lateral view of petiole of Rasopone lunaris (worker, Brazil, Minas Gerais CASENT0644556), R. guatemalensis (holotype worker),R. costaricensis form c (worker,Costa Rica,INB0003659307),and R. JTL027 (worker,Panama,CASENT0633216).On distribution maps,red dots are sites with UCE sequence data. Red boxes are type locality.

Fig. 9. Distribution map, face view, and lateral view of petiole of Rasopone costaricensis (holotype worker), R. politognatha (holotype worker), R. JTL035 (worker, Mexico, CASENT0640453), and Rasopone JTL049 (worker, Colombia, CASENT0644557). On distribution maps, red dots are sites with UCE sequence data. Red boxes are type locality.