Cyphomyrmex plaumanni Kempf

Kempf, W. W., 1964, A revision of the Neotropical fungus-growing ants of the genus Cyphomyrmex Mayr. Part I. Group of strigatus Mayr (Hym., Formicidae)., Studia Entomologica (N. S.) 7, pp. 1-44 : 16-18

3. Cyphomyrmex plaumanni Kempf

(Figs. 4, 17, 24, 45)

Cyphomyrmex plaumanni Kempf . 1902: 31-33, fins. 29-31 (Worker; Brazil: Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul. Parana).

? Cyphomyrmex auritus : Emery, 1922 (nec Mayr, 1887), pl. 7, fins. 13, 13b (Female: head and fore winjj).

Types. - Holotype worker from Nova Teutonia, Santa Catarina State, Brazil (Plaumann) Oct. 1955; 3 paratypes workers likewise from southeastern Brazil: Rio Grande do Sul State, Barros Cassal, Sept. 1960 (F. Plaumann) 1 worker; Erechim, July 1960 (F. Plaumann) 1 worker; Parana State: Rio Azul, 1000 m, October 1959 (F. Plaumann) 1 worker. All in this author's collection (WWK).

Worker. - Total length 3.2-3.4 mm; head length 0.82- 0.91 mm; head width 0.69-0.79 mm; thorax length 0.98-1.07 mm; hind femur length 0.72-0.83 mm. Fuscous brown; opaque. Rather close to strigatus , with the following diagnostic characters: 1) Postero-median portion of clypeus of peculiar shape, with the teeth close together, and prominently overhanging the vertical and slightly excavate anterior portion of clypeus (Fig. 4). 2) Frontal carinae scarcely expanded in front, scarcely rounded, little constricted behind. 3) Preocular carina reaching back to occipital corner as a well-developed, slightly raised carinule, never just vestigial behind eyes. 4) Femora and tibiae prismatic, hind femora broadened beneath ab basal third, with a prominent foliaceous lamfnule projecting from the posterior border which, in side view, forms a distinct angle. Apical half of tibial borders distinctly marginate. 5) Postpetiole scarcely elevated in front, without an anterior vertical face; conspicuously transverse and never longer than petiolar node (Fig. 17). 6) Appressed pilosity fine, minute and inconspicuous, never scale-like.

Distribution. - Known only from the four stray type workers, this species is apparently confined to southeastern Brazil.

Note. - Fig. 4 (head) is based upon the holotype specimen, Figs. 17 and 27 were drawn from the Barros-Cassal paratype.