Pseudomyrmex reconditus Ward, 1993

Ward, Philip S., 1993, Systematic studies on Pseudomyrmex acacia-ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Pseudomyrmecinae), Journal of Hymenoptera Research 2, pp. 117-168 : 160-161

Pseudomyrmex reconditus Ward , sp. nov.

(Fig. 8)

Holotype worker. - NICARAGUA, Madriz: 2.0 mi. S Honduran border,Hwy 1, 840m , 29.vii.1967, mi. 8207.2 , D. H. Janzen, ex Acacia collinsii ( LACM) .

Paratypes. - One worker, one dealate queen, same data as holotype ( LACM) .

Holotype andparatype worker measurements. - HL 1.54, 1.44, HW 1.54, 1.47, MFC 0.071, 0.056, EL 0.93, 0.86, PL 0.88, 0.78, PH 0.57, 0.47, Cl 1.00, 1.02, OI 0.52, 0.52, REL 0.61, 0.59, REL2 0.61, 0.58, OOI -0.01, -0.01, VI 0.73, 0.71, FCI 0.046,0.038, SI 0.47,0.47, FI 0.44,0.39, PDI 1.21, 1.12, MPI 0.067, 0.061, NI 0.62, 0.64, PLI 0.64, 0.60, PWI 0.57, 0.53, PPWI 1.40, 1.25.

Paratype queen measurements. - HL 1.79, HW

1.66, MFC 0.065, EL 1.02, PL 1.21, PH 0.75, Cl 0.92, OI 0.51, REL 0.57, REL2 0.62, OOI 0.22, VI 0.79, FCI 0.039, SI 0.45, FI 0.46, NI 0.61, PLI 0.62, PWI 0.61, PPWI 1.53.

Worker diagnosis. - With the traits of the P. gracilis group (see couplet 6 of key) and the following more specific features. Head as broad as long; anterior margin of median clypeal lobe slightly convex, rounded laterally; pronotum with blunt dorsolateral margination; mesonotum more steeply inclined than basal face of propodeum; petiole of moderate length, high ( PLI 0.60-0.64), with a distinct anterior peduncle but without a well developed anteroventral tooth (Figs. 8, 53), and lacking sharp dorsolateral margination; postpetiole notably broader than long. Mandibles weakly striolate, sublucid, becoming shagreened basally; head and mesosoma densely but finely punctulate-coriarious to coriarious-imbricate, subopaque; petiole, postpetiole, and gaster with fine piligerous punctures, obscured from view by the associated pubescence. Standing pilosity only moderately dense but with some apparent loss due to abrasion of the type specimens; hairs mostly black, not silvery-white, present on the head, mesosoma dorsum, petiole, and postpetiole; at least some moderately long (0.23-0.27 mm) hairs on the propodeum and petiole; one or two short hairs present on the outer faces of the meso- and meta-tibiae, the others possibly worn off; fine appressed golden pubescence present on most of the body. Head and mesosoma black, gaster dark brown, petiole and postpetiole orange; appendages brown, with orange flecking on the legs.

Taxonomic comments. This species is known only from the types. It is readily distinguished from all other acacia-associated species in the P. gracilis group by the combination of broad head (see Cl values), robust petiole ( PLI 0.60-0.64), and black pilosity. P. reconditus is similar to an undescribed Pseudomyrmex species collected from Tachigali in northern Peru (P. sp. PSW-35) but the latter has a shorter petiole, more extensive silvery-white pilosity and pubescence, and is all black in color.

Biology. - The type collection from Acacia collinsii is the only record. A single worker of P. nigropilosus occurred in the same alcohol vial as the workers and queen of P. reconditus . It remains to be confirmed that P. reconditus is confined to nesting in swollen-thom acacias.