Azteca longiceps Emery

Longino, J. T., 2007, A taxonomic review of the genus Azteca (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Costa Rica and a global revision of the aurita group., Zootaxa 1491, pp. 1-63 : 37-38

Azteca longiceps Emery 1893

Figures 2,4A,4B,5,6D.

Azteca longiceps Emery 1893:344. Holotype queen: Costa Rica, Alajuela (Alfaro) [ MCSN] (examined).

Azteca prorsa Wheeler , 1942:238. Syntype workers: Guatemala, Escuintla, December 1911 (Wheeler), in hollow twigs of Triplaris auriculata [ LACM] (examined). NEW SYNONYMY

Queen characters. Measurements (n=9): HLA 1.47 (1.42-1.55), HW 0.86(0.84-0.91), SL 0.58 (0.56-0.61), CI 59 (57-60), SI 40 (38-41).

Palpal formula 5,3; middle and hind tibia with prominent pectinate apical spur; dorsal surface of mandible with row of large puncta at masticatory margin, these bearing long setae, about 4 large puncta posterior to this row, lacking setae, otherwise puncta small, surface microareolate, dull; medial and lateral clypeal lobes at about same level; head rectangular, posterior margin distinctly excised medially; petiolar node short, bluntly rounded; posteroventral petiolar lobe deep, strongly convex from front to back; scape with moderately abundant erect setae, about as long as one third maximum width of scape; middle and hind tibia with moderately abundant erect setae, longest about as long as one third to one half maximum width of tibia (MTSC 10-20), side of head with 0-4 short, inconspicuous erect setae, posterior margin of head with abundant long erect setae; pronotum with posterior row of erect setae, occasionally a pair of setae on the medial area; mesoscutum, scutellum and propodeum with moderately abundant erect setae; petiolar node in profile with 2-4 pairs erect setae projecting above apex, posteroventral lobe with abundant short erect setae; gastral terga with very sparse erect setae; general body color uniformly dark brown.

Worker characters. Measurements (n=6): HLA 1.10 (0.94-1.19), HW 0.84 (0.75-0.92), SL 0.54 (0.50- 0.58), CI 77 (74-80), SI 50 (49-54).

Palpal formula 5,3; middle and hind tibia with prominent pectinate apical spur; dorsal surface of mandible smooth and shiny on apical half or more, becoming microareolate and dull near base, with sparse puncta, row of puncta along masticatory margin with setae, others lacking setae; medial and lateral clypeal lobes at about same level; head elongate with weakly convex sides, strongly excavate posterior margin; in lateral profile pronotum shallowly convex, mesonotum more strongly convex and forming separate convexity that weakly protrudes above pronotum; scape with moderately abundant erect setae, length of setae about one half maximum width of scape; mid and hind tibia with abundant erect setae, longest about one half maximum width of tibia; side of head with 5-10 short erect setae; posterior margin of head with abundant short erect setae; pronotum, mesonotum, and propodeum with abundant erect setae; color brown.

Similar species. The 5,3 palpal formula, the presence of tibial spurs, and the elongate rectangular head places A. longiceps among the species treated in Longino (1996). The lack of conspicuous erect setae on the mandibles differentiates it from A. brevis and A. nigricans . The remaining similar species are A. beltii , A. oecocordia , and A. pittieri . Queens of A. longiceps differ from queens of A. beltii in the smaller size and brown color. They differ from A. pittieri in the relatively longer, more rectangular head (Fig. 4B). They differ from A. oecocordia in the less triangular petiolar node, more setose hind tibia, larger puncta on the mandible, and smaller size.

Range. Costa Rica, Guatemala.

Biology. The taxonomy and biology of A. longiceps was reviewed in Longino (1996). Azteca longiceps is an obligate inhabitant of myrmecophytic Triplaris trees.

Additional material examined. COSTA RICA: Limón: Fca. de E. Rojas, Sector Cerro Cocori , 10°36'N, 83°43'W, 150m , 1- 30 Apr 1994 (E. Rojas) - queen [ INBC] ; Puntarenas: Guaria, rd to Monteverde , 10°15'N, 84°50'W, 700m , 5 Jul 1991 (J. Longino) - queens, workers ; Ojo de Agua, rd to Monteverde , 10°16'N, 84°50'W, 800m (J. Longino) - males, queens, workers ; Lindora, 2.5km SW Monteverde , 10°18'N, 84°50'W, 840m , 26 May 1991 (J. Longino) - queens, workers ; same locality, 8 Jul 1991 (J. Longino) - queens, workers ; Sector Laguna Meandrica, R B. Carara , 9°47'N, 83°25'W, 100m , 1- 30 Jun 1990 (R. Zuñiga) - queen [ INBC] .