Pseudomyrmex boopis ( Roger 1863 b )

Ward, Philip S., 1993, Systematic studies on Pseudomyrmex acacia-ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Pseudomyrmecinae), Journal of Hymenoptera Research 2, pp. 117-168 : 154-155

Pseudomyrmex boopis ( Roger 1863 b)

(Fig. 1)

Pseudomyrma modesta F. Smith 1862: 32 . Holotype (unique syntype) worker, Panama (Stretch) ( BMNH) [Examined], [Preoccupied by P. modesta F. Smith 1860 = Tetraponera modesta (F. Smith) .]

Pseudomyrma boopis Roger 1863 b: 25 . Replacement name for Pseudomyrma modesta .

Pseudomyrma thoracica Norton 1868 b: 8 . Syntype workers, Cordova , Mexico (Sumichrast) [Not examined; see comments below], Syn. nov.

Pseudomyrma excavata Mayr 1870: 410 . Syntype workers, " N. Granada " ( BMNH, MHNG, NHMV) [Examined] [Synonymy by Kempf

Pseudomyrma excavata var. flaviventris Emery 1896: 2 . Syntype workers, Darien , Panama (Festa) ( MCSN, MHNG) [Examined] [Synonymy by Kempf 1960: 22] ,

Pseudomyrma excavata var. fusciceps Santschi 1931: 271 . Two syntype workers, France Field , Panama (A. Bierig) ( NHMB) [Examined] [Synonymy by Kempf 1960: 22] ,

Pseudomyrma spinicola subsp. modesta F. Smith ; Wheeler 1942: 105.

Pseudomyrma tenuis var. guatemalensis Enzmann 1945: 92 . Holotype worker, Escuintla , Guatemala [Not examined] [Synonymy by Kempf 1960: 22] ,

Pseudomyrmex boopis (Roger) ; Kempf 1967: 2.

Worker diagnosis. - Medium-sized species (HW 1.16-1.29) in the P. tenuis group, with a broad head (Cl 0.92-1.02), tectiform and laterally rounded median clypeal lobe, large eyes (REL ≈0.66), and laterally marginate pronotum. Mesosoma arched and angular in profile; petiole short, high and thin, laterally marginate, with a gently ascending anterodorsal face which rounds into a much steeper (almost vertical) posterior face (Fig. 1). Standing pilosity sparse, lacking on the mesonotum, propodeum, and petiole. Color highly variable, ranging from light testaceous brown to bicolored orange and black (usually with the gaster and pronotum lightest in color) to dark brown.

Taxonomic comments. - For a more detailed description of this species see Kempf (1960:23). I have synonymized P. thoracicus (Norton) under P. boopis on the basis of Norton’s (1868b) original description and the biological notes of Sumichrast in Norton (1868a). In combination these clearly suggest P. boopis rather than any other Pseudomyrmex known to occur in southern Mexico. Although the type material of P. thoracicus is presumably lost, additional indirect evidence of its identity can be found in Gustav Mayr’s collection in Vienna ( NHMV) where there is a P. boopis worker from Colombia ( “Neugranada”) identified by Mayr as " P. thoracica Norton ". This take son added significance when it is realized that Mayr was apparently the recipient of some of Norton’s material. During a brief visit to NHMV I noted specimens of several species, including P. ferrugineus , P. peperi , P. elongatulus (Dalla Torre) and P. brunneus (F. Smith) (although unfortunately not P. boopis ), labelled "Mex. Norton" or "N. Am./ Norton".

Distribution and biology. - P. boopis occurs in rainforest and tropical moist forest from southern Mexico to Ecuador, Venezuela and northern Brazil. This species is less arboreal than most Pseudomyrmex , and nests typically in rotten wood on or near the ground. The type specimen of P. boopis came from a nest in a swollen-thom acacia ( Smith 1862:33), however, and Janzen found colonies in thorns of Acacia melanoceras seedlings in Panama.