Prionopelta tapatia, Ladino & Feitosa, 2020

Ladino, Natalia & Feitosa, Rodrigo M., 2020, Taxonomic revision of the genus Prionopelta Mayr, 1866 (Formicidae: Amblyoponinae) for the Neotropical region, Zootaxa 4821 (2), pp. 201-249 : 244-245

Prionopelta tapatia sp. n.

Figures 34 , 35D

Holotype worker: MEXICO: Jalisco: Tamazula de Gordiano, Cerro de la Mesa , 9.x.2016, 19°41’21’’N 103°15’19’’O, 1442m, Hojarasca, M. Vasquez-Bolaños col., DZUP549796 [ DZUP].

Paratype worker. same data as holotype, DZUP549797 (head separate, glued to triangle) [ DZUP].

Diagnosis. Lateral portion of frons deeply sculptured in full-face view. Eleven antennomeres. Anterior and posterior margins of subpetiolar process subparallel; posteroventral angle of subpetiolar process acute.

Holotype measurements. HL 052; HW 0.43; SL 0.28; WL 0.58; PrL 0.24; PrW 0.28; PetNL 0.16; PetW 0.24; PetH 0.19; PetL 0.17; T1L 0.26; T1W 0.36; TL 1.53; CI 82; SI 65; PetI 150; PetHI 111; PetWI 141.

Worker measurements (n=4). HL 0.51–0.55; HW 0.42–0.47; SL 0.24–0.28; WL 0.52 –0.64; PrL 0.24–0.26; PrW 0.27–0.32; PetNL 0.14–0.16; PetW 0.24–0.26; PetH 0.18–0.19; PetL 0.14–0.18; T1L 0.22–0.26; T1W 0.34– 0.36; TL 1.44–1.55; CI 80–88; SI 52–66; PetI 100–171; PetHI 100–135; PetWI 133–171.

Queen measurements (n=1). HL 0.58; HW 0.51; SL 0.31; WL 0.81; PrL 0.13; PrW 0.29; PetNL 0.14; PetW 0.25; PetH 0.24; PetL 0.19; T1L 0.27; T1W 0.40; TL 1.85; CI 88; SI 61; PetI 178; PetHI 126; PetWI 131.

Worker description. Body dark yellow. Integument covered by deep and dense punctate sculpturing; space between the punctures of lateral portion of frons corresponding to one or half puncture diameter in full-face view.

Head longer than broad; length of median tooth of mandible shorter than basal tooth; basal margin of mandible straight. Clypeus slightly projecting medially. Eleven antennomeres; antennomeres 1–4 separated by deep constrictions. Eyes placed immediately posterior to the head midlength.

Pronotum slightly broader than long. Distance between the propodeal spiracle and the bulla of the metapleural gland corresponding to one spiracular diameter; distance between the propodeal spiracle and the propodeal dorsum corresponding to two spiracular diameters.

Petiolar node as high as long in lateral view. Subpetiolar process with anterior and posterior margins subparallel or parallel; posterior margin concave; posteroventral angle acute.

Queen. Like workers, with the expected morphology of Prionopelta queens.

Male. Unknown.

Etymology. The name refers to the demonym for those born in the state of Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico, from where this species is known. From the Náhuatl term tapatiotl. The specific epithet should be considered feminine and indeclinable in accordance to Article 31.2.3 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature.

Distribution ( Fig. 35D ). Prionopelta tapatia is only known from western Mexico.

Comments. Among the Neotropical Prionopelta with eleven antennomeres, this species is different from P. punctulata by the shape of clypeus and the basal margins of mandibles and from P. menininha by the presence of a discrete projection of the cuticle in the posteroventral angle of the subpetiolar process. One worker showed ocellar vestiges.

Natural history. The species is mainly known from leaf litter samples collected in disturbed areas, at elevations greater than 900m.

Additional material examined (2 specimens). MEXICO: Jalisco : 3 km N Tequila , 20. 91051 -103.82709, ± 50m, 1040m, 28.vi.2017, J. Longino cols., #9859-s, disturbed riparian veg., ex sifted leaf litter, CASENT0644589 (1 worker) [ CASC] ; 14km SW de Hostotipaquillo , 21.012°N 104.179°W, 990m, 4-10.viii.2013, G. Melo & B.B. Rosa cols. (1 queen, without metasoma) [ DZUP] .

Figures

FIGURE 34. Holotype worker of Prionopelta tapatia (Mexico, Jalisco). A. Full-face view; B. Lateral view; C. Dorsal view. Specimen: DZUP549796.

FIGURE 35. Distribution maps for Neotropical Prionopelta species. Black triangles indicate already known species, white circles indicate new species described here. Red symbols indicate the type locality of each species.