Probolomyrmex cegua, Oliveira & Feitosa, 2019

Oliveira, Aline M. & Feitosa, Rodrigo M., 2019, Taxonomic revision of the genus Probolomyrmex Mayr, 1901 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Proceratiinae) for the Neotropical Region, Zootaxa 4614 (1), pp. 61-94 : 75-77

Probolomyrmex cegua New species

( Figs. 14, 15)

Holotype: NICARAGUA: Jinotega: RN Datanlí El Diablo, 13.09543, -85.85804, 1310m, 20.v.2011, LLAMA, #Wm-D- 04-2-03, (worker) [ CASC, unique specimen identifier CASENT0629220].

Paratype: same data as holotype, except: 13.10974, -85.86772, 1440m, 18.v.2011, LLAMA, #Wa-D- 04-1-35 ( 1 worker) [ DZUP, unique specimen identifer CASENT0629183] .

Diagnosis: Petiole unarmed; postero-ventral lobe short and evenly rounded; subpetiolar process weakly developed. Prora present; dorsal protuberance on posterior region of first gastral tergite absent.

Worker measurements: (n=2) HL 0.67–0.69; HW 0.41–0.43; SL 0.41–0.43; WL 81–83; PL 0.35–0.37; PW 0.33–0.34; PH 0.28–0.29; TL 1.92–2.93; CI 61–62; SI 61–62; PI 77.5–78.9.

Worker description: Frontoclypeal shelflike projection micropunctate. Mandibles foveated, interval between the foveae covered by micropunctures; external surface of mandibular basal margin smooth ( Fig. 14B – esm). Tip of apical segment of antennae bearing different sized pits ( Fig. 14C – Ap). Mesopleuron, metapleuron and lateral faces of propodeum alveolate and foveated; alveoli denser just above metapleural gland orifice; opening of metapleural gland narrow, with a smooth anterior region, surrounded rows of hairs ( Fig. 14D). Petiolar node and postero-ventral lobe of petiole with incomplete foveae and micropunctures; subpetiolar process and latero-ventral region of petiole alveolate ( Fig. 14E). Posterior region of second gastral segment with foveae.

Space between mesosomal foveae covered by dense pubescence. Pygidium with dense pubescence.

Head 1.6 times longer than wide ( Fig. 15B). Hypostomal margin curved ( Fig. 14B – he). Antennal scapes extend to head midlength, distance from scape apex to of head more than two times pedicel length (SI 61–62). Propodeum emarginated posteriorly on each side by a narrow carina, with teeth at their apexes. Petiole 1.3 times longer than high (PI 77.5–78.9), without projections of any kind; posterior face short, straight, and smooth; postero-ventral lobe short, evenly rounded; subpetiolar process weakly developed ( Fig 14E). First gastral segment with prora; dorsal protuberance on posterior region of tergite absent ( Figs. 14A, 15A).

Etymology: The name refers to a folkloric figure from Nicaragua, known as La Cegua. She is a woman that walks through the woods and back roads, attracting drunk and unfaithful men and asking them for a ride. She poses as a beautiful lady so, men give her a ride, but when they turn around, instead of beholding the enchanting companion, they see a monster with the skull of a horse and fiery red eyes. The words she speaks to these men are so horrific that the victim goes insane instantaneously and never recovers ( Janzen, 2012). The name is applied here as a noun in apposition.

Distribution ( Fig. 28): Nicaragua ( Jinotega).

Comments: Probolomyrmex cegua is similar to P. lamellatus sp. n., but has propodeal angles, absent in P. lamellatus sp. n., and the postero-ventral lobe of the petiole is rounded.

Specimens come from Reserva Natural Datanlí El Diablo, which is a patchy matrix of private coffee farms and primary and secondary cloud forests. The holotype was obtained from a sifted leaf-litter sample collected in a primary cloud forest, with many large oak trees and abundant tree ferns. The paratype was also found in a leaf litter sample from a montane wet forest, near coffee and agricultural clearings. Both localities are above 1300 meters of altitude.