Cyphomyrmex podargus, Snelling, R. R. & Longino, J. T., 1992

Snelling, R. R. & Longino, J. T., 1992, Revisionary notes on the fungus-growing ants of the genus Cyphomyrmex, rimosus-group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Attini)., Insects of Panama and Mesoamerica: selected studies., Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 479-494 : 487-488

Cyphomyrmex podargus , new species (Figs 30.8, 30.16, 30.20)

Diagnosis. A member of the foxi subgroup and closely resembling C. foxi , but with maximum width across frontal lobes equal to, or slightly greater than, interocular distance; dorsal lobes of post-petiole low and rounded, rather than elevated and spiniform as in C.foxi .

Description

Worker holotype. Measurements: Total length 3.48 (3.24- 3.48); head length 0.85 (0.81-0.83); head width 0.78 (0.73- 0.79); mesosoma length 1.20 (1.14-1.22); metafemur length 1.12 (1.06-1.13) mm.

Uniformly blackish brown, with dark brown legs; mandibles, funiculus, and tarsi ferruginous; coxae dusky ferruginous.

Integument opaque, finely and densely granulo-punctate and with numerous short, fine rugae, especially on front of head (longitudinal) and dorsum of mesosoma (transverse).

Head shape as in Fig. 30.8. Mandible very finely longitudinally lineolate; margin with five teeth, innermost tooth only slightly smaller than fourth tooth. Anterior margin of clypeus transverse and without median emargination; parafrontal tooth minute. Frontal area weakly impressed. Margin of frontal lobe broadly rounded, not acutely rounded above parafrontal tooth; dorsal portion of frontal carina low and weak, but discernible to occipital corner. Submedian carinae of occiput low and weak, subparallel. Postocular carina absent. Supraocular tubercle prominent. Occipital corner with projecting spine-like process. Occipital margin nearly flat in frontal view. Posterior genal margin subcarinata to below level of lower eye margin, continued very weakly to near mandible base. Scape extending beyond occipital process by about 1.5 times its greatest thickness; funicular segments 2-8 distinctly longer than broad. F.ye with about 9 facets in greatest diameter; oculomandibular distance 0.9 5-1.00 times eye length.

Mesosomal profile as in Fig. 30.16. Submedian pronotal tubercles present; lateral tubercles long and slender; no humeral ridge anterior to lateral tubercle. Disc of mesonotum flat; anterior tubercle large, conical; posterior tubercle much smaller, acute. Mesometanotal impression broad and shallow. Dorsal propodeal ridges absent; posterior face without tubercle or denticle. Ventral margin of metafemur weakly, obtusely dilated at basal one-quarter and without carina or ridge distally of dilation.

Petiole and post-petiole as in Fig. 30.20. Node of petiole flattened and about one-third broader than long. Post-median impression of post-petiole weak and postero-lateral lobes weak.

Dorsum of first gastral segment without antero-median impression.

Pilosity slender and recurved or hook-like; gastral venter with coarse, erect hairs.

Type material

Holotype and 13 paratype workers: Quick Step, 380 m elev. 18 18'N 77° 45'W), Trelawny, jamaica, 22-23 Mar. 1984 J. Longino, No. 1010); Welcome, 590 m elev. 18:18° 17'N, 77° 20'W), St. Ann, jamaica, 15 Mar. 1984 JL Longino, No. 1- 5). Holotype in Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County; paratypes in LACM, LONG, and MCZ.

Etymology. The specific name is of Greek origin, meaning 'swift-footed' and was suggested by the name of the type locality.