Pogonomyrmex theresiae Forel 1899
Pogonomyrmex theresiae Forel, 1899b: 303 (worker); Forel, 1899c: 274
(worker redescribed as new). Syntypes
examined: 1 worker [ZSM], ECUADOR,
Guayas: Estero Salado near Guayaquil
(ZSM worker is the HOLOTYPE, by monotypy).
Worker
Diagnosis.
The combination of: (1) absence of superior propodeal
spines (small tubercles or denticles only), (2) transverse
rugae on dorsum of postpetiole,
and (3) lacking longitudinal striae on first gastral tergum uniquely
characterize this species.
Measurements – holotype, by monotypy. HL 1.45; HW 1.46; MOD 0.30; OMD 0.39; SL (scapes missing); PNW 1.01; HFL 1.42; ML 1.67; PW 0.36; PPW 0.52. Indices: SI N/A; CI 100.69; OI 20.55; HFI 97.26.
Description. Head quadrate (CI = 100.69),
broadest just posterior to eye; posterior margin weakly convex in full-face
view. Longitudinal
cephalic rugae prominent, slightly wavy, in full-face
view median rugae diverging slightly towards
posterior corners of head. In side view, rugae converging near
midway between posterior margin of eye and vertex; vertex weakly to moderately rugose. Interrugal spaces on vertex smooth, strongly shining;
cephalic interrugal spaces moderately granulate, weakly
shining. Anterior
margin of clypeus concave; dorsal surface with numerous subparallel
longitudinal rugae. Mandibles with six teeth; mandibular dorsum coarsely striate. Numerous moderately long, curved,
bristle-like, cream to light yellowish hairs project
from basolateral margin of mandibles. MOD = 0.21x HL. Eyes in profile situated near middle of head,
OMD = 1.30x MOD. Scapes
missing; scapes not reaching vertex as per Forel (1899b). Psammophore
moderately well developed.
Mesosomal profile moderately
convex; all mesosomal surfaces with prominent rugae.
In side and dorsal views, humeral shoulders enlarged, angulate. Dorsum of promesonotum and sides of pronotum rugoreticulate to
vermiculate. Mesopleura with irregular rugae angling posterodorsally. Dorsum of propodeum with irregular rugae to
rugoreticulate. Propodeal spines consisting of small denticles or
tubercles. Inferior propodeal spines weakly developed, consisting of a small,
broadly rounded triangular process. Propodeal
spiracles narrowly ovate. Interrugal spaces on mesosoma
moderately granulate, dull to weakly shining.
Legs weakly coriarious, weakly
shining to smooth and shining.
Petiolar peduncle
about as long as petiole, anteroventral margin with a
bluntly rounded triangular process.
In side view, posterior surface of petiole weakly
convex; petiolar node asymmetrical with anterior
surface slightly shorter than posterior surface, apex of node weakly rounded to
subangulate.
In dorsal view, petiolar
node longer than broad, narrowest at posterior margin, gradually widening to spatulate anterior margin; posterior surface with
moderately strong wavy to irregular transverse, sometimes discontinuous rugae. Dorsum
of postpetiole convex in profile; in dorsal view,
widest at or near posterior margin, narrowing to anterior margin; maximal width
about equal to length; dorsum and sides with wavy transverse rugae that are slightly weaker, more closely spaced, and
more regular than those on petiole. Interrugal spaces on posterior surface of petiole and
dorsum of postpetiole weakly granulate, weakly shining
to smooth and shining. Base of first gastral tergum
weakly coriarious, shining, remainder smooth,
strongly shining.
Very
short, erect, whitish pilosity sparse on head. Scapes missing; as
per Forel (1899b), scapes
with a few scattered oblique, short, stiff, yellowish hairs (and a few
streaks). Mesosoma,
petiole, postpetiole, and dorsum of gaster mostly lacking hairs except for several short, suberect hairs on legs, mesopleura,
posterior declivity of propodeum, and ventral surface
of postpetiole.
Head ferruginous orange; mesosoma
slightly darker ferruginous orange; petiole, postpetiole,
gaster, and legs blackish-orange.
Queen. Unknown.
Male. Unknown.
Additional
material examined. None.
Etymology. Forel
dedicated the naming of this species to the Royal Highness, the Princess
Therese von Bayern.
Discussion. Pogonomyrmex striatinodis the only
congener known to occur in Ecuador; it is only known from mesic
forest habitats, lacks a psammophore and has long
superior and inferior propodeal spines, whereas P. theresiae
has a moderately well developed psammophore and lacks
superior and inferior propodeal spines. Pogonomyrmex naegelii might also occur in
BIOLOGY
Nothing is known
about the biology of P. theresiae, which appears to be known from one worker
that was collected over 100 years ago at Estero Salado near Guayaguil,
Ecuador. Guayaguil
is currently the largest and most populous city in
REFERENCES