Pseudomyrmex ferox

Pseudomyrmex ferox
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Formicidae
Subfamily:	Pseudomyrmecinae
Genus:	Pseudomyrmex
Species:	P. ferox
Binomial name
Pseudomyrmex ferox Ward, 1999 Specimen Labels

An obligate inhabitant of Tachigali. Workers are aggressive defenders of their nesting plant.

Identification

Ward (1999) - Pseudomyrmex ferox can be identified by the broad worker head, subtriangular petiolar profile, and intermediate leg length (longer than most species but shorter than Pseudomyrmex eculeus and Pseudomyrmex pictus). The well-separated frontal carinae, moderately broad profemur, and convex dorsal face of the propodeum are also characteristic.

Distribution

Known from several scattered locations in northern Peru, Colombia and Brazil.

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: -0.631944444° to -6.45°.

North Temperate	North Subtropical	Tropical	South Subtropical	South Temperate

• Source: AntMaps

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Neotropical Region: Brazil, Colombia, Peru (type locality).

Distribution based on AntMaps

Distribution based on AntWeb specimens

Check data from AntWeb

Countries Occupied

Number of countries occupied by this species based on AntWiki Regional Taxon Lists. In general, fewer countries occupied indicates a narrower range, while more countries indicates a more widespread species.

Estimated Abundance

Relative abundance based on number of AntMaps records per species (this species within the purple bar). Fewer records (to the left) indicates a less abundant/encountered species while more records (to the right) indicates more abundant/encountered species.

Nomenclature

The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.

• ferox. Pseudomyrmex ferox Ward, 1999b: 519, figs. 43, 52, 61 (w.q.m.) PERU.

Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description.

Description

Worker

Measurements (n=13). HL 1.05–1.29, HW 1.06–1.26, MFC 0.041–0.064, LHT 0.81–0.96, CI 0.93–1.01, REL 0.60–0.65, REL2 0.61–0.67, FCI 0.04–0.05, FI 0.43–0.47, PLI 1.07–1.26, PWI 0.89–1.00.

A member of the sericeus group. Palp formula: usually 6,4 but 5, 3 in at least one worker. Frontal carinae well separated; head broad, with convex sides; posterior margin of head flat or (more commonly) slightly concave, in frontal view. Profemur moderately slender (see FI values); legs moderately long (LHT/HL 0.72–0.77). Dorsal face of propodeum somewhat convex in profile, subequal in length to declivitous face, and rounding gradually into it; propodeal spiracle distant from basal (dorsal) face of propodeum. Petiole short, high, subtriangular in profile, with a single convex anterodorsal face, which rounds gently into the steep posterior face. Anteroventral process moderately well developed, usually subtriangular, with a blunt, posteroventrally-directed tooth or angle. Standing pilosity sparse but more common than is usual for the species group. Long, golden, paired (and often curved) setae present on pronotum (2–5 pairs), petiole (1–2 pairs) and postpetiole (1–2 pairs), less commonly on mesonotum or propodeum; these setae sometimes unpaired, or accompanied by one or two additional shorter setae. Dark brown to brownish black, with appendages and frontoclypeal complex orange-brown; antennae and parts of middle and hind legs infuscated.

Type Material

Holotype worker. PERU, San Martin: 8 km ENE Tarapoto, 6°27’S, 76°18’W, 700 m, 19.viii.1986, ex Tachigali, P. S. Ward# 8604 (Museum of Comparative Zoology). HW 1.25, HL 1.24, EL 0.76, PL 0.42, PH 0.46.

Paratypes. Same data as holotype: series of workers, queens, males (The Natural History Museum, Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, MCZC, Museo de Historia Natural, Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Philip S. Ward Collection, University of California, Davis).

References

• Ward, P. S. 1999b. Systematics, biogeography and host plant associations of the Pseudomyrmex viduus group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Triplaris- and Tachigali-inhabiting ants. Zool. J. Linn. Soc. 126: 451-540 (page 519, figs. 43, 52, 61 worker, queen, male described)

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

• Fernández, F. and S. Sendoya. 2004. Lista de las hormigas neotropicales. Biota Colombiana Volume 5, Number 1.
• Ryder Wilkie K.T., A. L. Mertl, and J. F. A. Traniello. 2010. Species Diversity and Distribution Patterns of the Ants of Amazonian Ecuador. PLoS ONE 5(10): e13146.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0013146
• Ward P. S. 1999. Systematics, biogeography and host plant associations of the Pseudomyrmex viduus group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Triplaris- and Tachigali-inhabiting ants. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 126: 451-540