Adelomyrmex cristiani

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Adelomyrmex cristiani
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Myrmicinae
Tribe: Solenopsidini
Genus: Adelomyrmex
Species: A. cristiani
Binomial name
Adelomyrmex cristiani
Fernández, 2003

Adelomyrmex cristiani casent0633335 p 1 high.jpg

Adelomyrmex cristiani casent0633335 d 1 high.jpg

The types were collected from Berlese samples.

Identification

This is one of the smaller species of the genus. It can be recognized by short clypeal setae, small and poorly-faceted eyes, evenly curved mesosoma, broad propodeal angulation, petiole higher than postpetiole, and first gastric tergite with several dark punctures. (Fernández 2003)

Keys including this Species

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: -0.0333° to -0.0333°.

 
North
Temperate
North
Subtropical
Tropical South
Subtropical
South
Temperate

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Neotropical Region: Colombia (type locality), Ecuador.

Distribution based on AntMaps

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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.
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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.
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Biology

Castes

Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

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

  • cristiani. Adelomyrmex cristiani Fernández, 2003b: 16, figs. 36, 75 (w.) COLOMBIA.
    • Status as species: Longino, 2012: 17; Fernández & Serna, 2019: 803.

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

Longino (2012) - The holotype of A. cristiani came from a series of Berlese samples from the Tatamá elevational transect studied by van der Hammen et al. (van der Hammen & Ward 2005). I examined three additional workers provided by P. S. Ward. Two were from two additional sites on the Tatamá transect (TATA206 and TATA212, at 1540 m and 1950 m elevation, respectively), and one was from a wet forest site in Pichincha Province, Ecuador, at 1500 m (PSW11503.9). The specimens showed discordant character variation. The Ecuador and TAT212 specimens have similar mandibular dentition: there are three main apical teeth, two or three small denticles, and a broad triangular tooth that is near the basal tooth. Thus, these specimens exhibit the character of the Central American species Adelomyrmex dentivagans, Adelomyrmex mackayi, Adelomyrmex nortenyo, and Adelomyrmex quetzal. The mandibles on TAT206 are difficult to observe, but one partially open mandible appears to have a more typical dentition, lacking the large triangular tooth on the basal margin. The Ecuador and TAT206 specimens have the petiolar node smooth and shiny; the TAT212 specimen has the node irregularly rugose.

Description

Worker

Holotype. HL 0.50 HW 0.44 SL 0.23 EL 0.04 WL 0.39 GL 0.60 TL 1.87 CI 88 SI 52.

Mandibles with 5 teeth decreasing in size from the apical teeth. Clypeal median seta short. Dorsum of clypeal plate with two curved ridges prolongued into frontal carinae. Lateral clypeal teeth very small. The last antennal flagellomere much broader than long, their length more or less as flagellomeres 2 to 10. Eyes small, with approximately 6 ommatidia. Hypostomal tooth very small, but visible. Mesosomal dorsum evenly arched, metanotal groove broad and shallow. Propodeum with sharp angulation instead of spines. Propodeal lobes slightly angulated. Petiole high in profile, more high than postpetiole, with anterior face evenly meeting the rounded dorsal face, then to inclined posterior face. Head and promesonotum longitudinally rugulose, rugulae on mesonotum more coarse; short dorsal propodeal face irregularly rugulated; propodeal declivity transversely rugulated between propodeal spines. Gaster smooth and shining with numerous dark punctures. Few long hairs on clypeus, frontal carinae and occipital borders; several suberect hairs on mesosomal dorsum, several long and flexuous hairs on petiole, postpetiole and gaster. Body light brown, legs and antennae paler.

Type Material

Holotype worker: COLOMBIA: Cordillera Occidental, transecto Tatamá, 1650m, 1983, Th. van der Hammen et al., TAT 205. Deposited in Insect Collection, Instituto de Ciencias Naturales.

Etymology

This species is named in honor of Dr. Cristián T. Samper K., general director of Instituto Humboldt from its creation in 1995 through 2001, for his friendship and strong support of insect surveys and collection in the Institute. Many of the goals in entomological research here have been set with the assistance and unfailing support of Cristián

References