Pseudomyrmex kuenckeli ( Emery 1890 )

Ward, Philip S., 1993, Systematic studies on Pseudomyrmex acacia-ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Pseudomyrmecinae), Journal of Hymenoptera Research 2, pp. 117-168 : 158-159

Pseudomyrmex kuenckeli ( Emery 1890)

(Fig. 3)

Pseudomyrma kuenckeli Emery 1890: 62 . Syntype workers, queens, Alajuela , Costa Rica (A. Alfaro) ( MCSN) [Examined] ,

Pseudomyrma kuenckeli var. dichroa Forel 1904: 41 . Syntype workers, Dibulla , Colombia (A. Forel) ( AMNH, BMNH, MCSN, MHNG, NHMB, USNM) [Examined] [Synonymy by Kempf 1961: 402] ,

Pseudomyrma kuenckeli var. bierigi Santschi 1932: 412 . Holotype worker, Juan Diaz , Panama (A. Bierig) ( NHMB) [Examined] [Synonymy by Kempf 1961: 402] ,

Pseudomyrma crenulata Enzmann 1945: 84 . Holotype worker, “Guemavaca”, Mexico (not in MCZC) [Not examined; but other P. kuenckeli workers in the MCZC from Cuernavaca, Mexico (Wheeler) evidently represent the source series] [Synonymy by Kempf 1961: 402] ,

Pseudomyrmex kuenckeli (Emery) ; Kusnezov 1953: 214.

Worker diagnosis. - A member of the P. viduus group, easily recognized by the shiny broad head (Cl≈1.12), short eyes ( REL 0.46), flattened mesosoma, blocky petiole, and abundant pilosity (Fig. 3). For further description see Kempf (1961:402).

Distribution and biology. - This is a widely distributed but generally uncommon species, found from Mexico to Argentina and Brazil. P. kuenckeli appears to have a preference for nesting in large dead branches, in somewhat open or seasonally dry forest. Its association with ant acacias is sporadic at best and based upon two records from Costa Rica: Emery (1891:168) reported a single specimen collected by Alfaro from a swollen-thom acacia, and Menozzi (1927b) recorded a collection by H. Schmidt from Acacia "spadicigera" (probably a misidentification of A. collinsii ) near San Jose.