A taxonomic review of the genus Azteca (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Costa Rica and a global revision of the aurita group.
Author
Longino, J. T.
text
Zootaxa
2007
1491
1
63
http://www.antbase.org/ants/publications/21311/21311.pdf
journal article
21311
C31A1226-724D-4D1A-8471-E6BB441EE3EF
Azteca alfari Emery
1893
Figures 2,4A,5,6C,7.
Azteca alfari Emery
1893:338.
Lectotype
worker:
Jimenez
,
Atlantic slope
,
Costa Rica
(
Alfaro
) [
MCSN
]
(examined). Description of queen: Emery 1896b:4 [as
alfaroi
].
Azteca bicolor Emery
1893:341.
Lectotype
queen:
Brazil
,
Matto Grosso
(
Germain
) [
MCSN
]
(examined). Synonymy by Longino 1991b:1575.
Azteca alfaroi race lucidula Forel
1899:113.
Lectotype
queen:
Trinidad
(
Urich
) [
MHNG
]
(examined). Synonymy by Longino 1989a:5.
Azteca virens Forel
1899:115.
Syntype
workers:
Brazil
,
Amazonas
,
Para
(
Goeldi
) [
MCZC
]
(examined). Synonymy by Longino 1989a:5.
Azteca alfari subsp. cecropiae Forel
1906:240.
Lectotype
worker:
Brazil
,
Amazonas
,
Manaus
(
Huber
) [
MHNG
]
(examined). Description of queen, male: Forel 1908b:387. Synonymy by Longino 1989a:5.
Azteca alfari var. mixta Forel
1908b:386.
Lectotype
queen:
San Bernardino
,
Paraguay
(
Fiebrig
) [
MHNG
]
(examined). Synonymy by Longino 1989a:6.
Azteca alfaroi var. fumaticeps Forel
1909:250.
Syntype
workers:
Mexico
,
Buenaventura
(
Ross
) [
MHNG
]
(examined). Description of queen: Wheeler 1942:218. Synonymy by Longino 1989a:7.
Azteca alfari var. curtiscapa Forel
1912:51.
Lectotype
queen:
Panama
(
Christophersen
) [
MHNG
]
(examined). Synonymy by Longino 1989a:7.
Azteca foreli race breviscapa Forel
1912:51 [first available use of
Azteca foreli race championi var. breviscapa Forel
1899:112.
Syntype
workers:
Costa Rica
(
Tonduz
) [
MCZC
,
USNM
]
(examined). Synonymy by Longino 1989a:7.
Azteca alfari var. argentina Forel
1914:287.
Syntype
workers:
Argentina
,
Misiones
,
Santa Ana
(
Bruch
) [
MHNG
]
(examined). Description of major worker and queen: Gallardo 1916:115. Synonymy by Longino 1989a:7.
Azteca lynchi
Brethes
1914:93.
Syntype
worker(s):
Bolivia
(
Arribalzaga
)
. Subspecies of
A. alfari
: Gallardo 1916:118. Synonymy by Longino 1989a:7.
Azteca alfari var. langi Wheeler
1942:218.
Syntype
workers, queens, males:
Guyana
,
Kamakusa
(
Lang
) [
MCZC
]
(examined). Synonymy by Longino 1989a:7.
Azteca alfari subsp. lucidula var. zonalis Wheeler
1942:222 (unavailable name).
Workers, queens:
Panama
,
Corozal
,
21.xi.1911
(
Wheeler
) [
MCZC
]
(examined). Identification as
A. alfari
: Longino 1989a:7.
Queen characters. Measurements (n=21): HLA 1.62 (1.51-1.69), HW 1.32 (1.26-1.43), SL 0.76 (0.71- 0.85), CI 83 (80-86), SI 47 (45-51).
Palpal formula 5,3; middle and hind tibia with prominent pectinate apical spur; dorsal surface of mandible largely smooth, with sparse small piligerous puncta, setae in puncta short, larger puncta with long setae near masticatory margin; medial and lateral clypeal lobes at about same level (medial lobe not projecting anteriorly); head weakly quadrate; petiolar node acute, triangular, neither strongly flattened nor bluntly rounded; posteroventral petiolar lobe well-developed, evenly convex; scape and tibia lacking setae, sides of head lacking setae, posterior margin of head with abundant curved setae, pronotum with posterior row of curved setae, mesoscutum with sparse setae, scutellum and propodeum with more abundant setae, petiolar node with cluster of erect setae, third abdominal tergum with abundant erect setae, fourth and fifth abdominal terga with 0-6 erect setae exclusive of posterior row; color light red brown to black.
Worker characters. Measurements (n=13): HLA 0.99 (0.80-1.24), HW 0.88 (0.72-1.07), SL 0.60 (0.53- 0.72), CI 91 (86-94), SI 62 (58-69).
Palpal formula 5,3; middle and hind tibia with prominent pectinate apical spur; dorsal surface of mandible largely smooth, with sparse small piligerous puncta, setae in puncta short, larger puncta with long setae near masticatory margin; medial and lateral clypeal lobes at about same level, medial lobe at most weakly projecting beyond lateral lobes; head with convex sides, strongly cordate posterior margin; mesosoma in lateral profile with promesonotum forming a continuous convexity or mesonotum somewhat elevated above pronotum; posterior mesonotum drops gradually to narrow metanotal groove such that posterior mesonotum, metanotal groove, and dorsal face of propodeum form a broad, shallow V (dorsal face of propodeum and broad metanotal groove do not form flat, step-like junction with posterior mesonotum); scape and tibia lacking setae, sides of head lacking setae, posterior margin of head with sparse to abundant erect setae, pronotum, mesonotum, and dorsal face of propodeum with conspicuous erect setae, mesonotum usually with about 8 erect setae of relatively uniform length (range 2-17; contrast with
A. ovaticeps
); color brown to yellow.
Similar species.
Azteca alfari
is most similar to
A. ovaticeps
(Longino 1989a). See differentiating characters in key and under
A. ovaticeps
. Workers of
A. alfari
may also be confused with workers of
A. forelii
. Mandibles of
A. alfari
workers are smooth and shiny; mandibles of
A. forelii
workers are roughened and dull.
Range. Central Mexico to northern Argentina.
Biology. The taxonomy and biology of
A. alfari
are reviewed in Longino (1989a, 1991b).
Azteca alfari
is an obligate
Cecropia
ant. It is the most widespread of the
Cecropia
ants, extending into the subtropics at both ends of its range. Throughout the range it is the
Cecropia
ant most likely to be found in open or highly disturbed areas. Founding queens are frequent in
Cecropia
saplings. As trees grow and form multiple branches, the nests become polydomous. Workers and brood are dispersed in branch tips, and the bole and inner portions of branches are progressively abandoned (Longino 1991a). Workers vary in aggressiveness geographically and over time. Workers in young colonies are usually aggressive, but in many cases workers in mature colonies are less aggressive, retreating inside of stems on disturbance (Longino 1991a).
Material examined. See Longino (1989a).