Gnamptogenys transversa

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Gnamptogenys transversa
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Ectatomminae
Tribe: Ectatommini
Genus: Gnamptogenys
Species: G. transversa
Binomial name
Gnamptogenys transversa
Lattke, 1995

Gnamptogenys transversa 67.png

The types were collected from sifted premontane rainforest leaf-litter. Nothing else is known about the biology of Gnamptogenys transversa.

Identification

A member of the hartmoni complex (in the regularis subgroup of the mordax species group). This species is very close to Gnamptogenys hartmani but hartmani has longitudinal costulae on the propodeal declivity; mostly smooth and shining mandibles; dorsum of petiole with mostly longitudinal striae; longitudinal striae on the postpetiolar sternum; eyes not as prominent, and scapes with more defined striae and rugulae. (Lattke 1995)

Keys including this Species

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: 8.783333333° to 8.783333333°.

 
North
Temperate
North
Subtropical
Tropical South
Subtropical
South
Temperate

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Neotropical Region: Panama (type locality).

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

Explore-icon.png Explore Overview of Gnamptogenys biology 
Not much is known about the the biology of Gnamptogenys transversa. We can speculate that the biology of this species is similar to other species of the genus. Gnamptogenys are predatory ponerine ants that inhabit tropical and subtropical mesic forests. Nesting is typically at ground level in rotten wood or leaf litter. Some exceptions include species that are arboreal, a dry forest species and species that nests in sandy savannahs. Colony size tends to be, at most, in the hundreds. Queens are the reproductives in most species. Worker reproduction is known from a few species in Southeastern Asia. Generalist predation is the primary foraging/dietary strategy. Specialization on specific groups (millipedes, beetles, other ants) has developed in a few species.

Castes

Only known from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

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

  • transversa. Gnamptogenys transversa Lattke, 1995: 189, figs. 66, 67 (w.) PANAMA.
    • Type-material: holotype worker.
    • Type-locality: Panama: Bocas del Toro, Fortuna-Chirigui Grande road, 8°47’N, 82°12’W, 1050 m., 12-14.vii.1978, no. 523 (D.M. Olson).
    • Type-depository: MCZC.
    • Status as species: Lattke, et al. 2007: 262 (in key); Camacho, et al. 2020: 460 (in key); Camacho, Franco, Branstetter, et al. 2022: 11.
    • Distribution: Panama.

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

Description

Worker

Holotype measurements: HL 1.30; HW 1.10; ML 0.70; ED 0.28; SL 1.04; WL 1.92 mm; CI 1.18; SI 0.95; OI 0.25.

Head in frontal view with rectangular, elongate head: sides broadly convex, posterior margin slightly concave; clypeal lamella relatively long, medianly slightly concave and laterally rounded; eyes moderately prominent. Costulae on head principally longitudinal, slightly convergent anterad, costulae between eyes and frontal lobes curving into depression laterad of antennal sclerite. Mandibles triangular with blunt denticles and relatively long basal broader, rugulose with piligerous punctae. Scapes shining and slightly rugulose, barely passing posterior edge. Mesosoma dorsally with longitudinal costulae from pronotum to dorsum of propodeum, declivity with transverse costulae; promesonotal suture visible as a brief transverse depression. Laterally with longitudinal costulae throughout. Anepisternal flange well-developed along anterior third; katepisternum well-defined, anepisternum not as well-defined. Petiole laterally subcylindrical, costulae longitudinal/oblique, ventral process is an anteriorly projecting lobe. Petiole in dorsal view wider posteriorly than anteriorly, costulae form concentric arches: transverse in oblique-anterior view and longitudinal in posterior view. Gastric dorsum with longitudinal costulation, postpetiolar sternal disc smooth and shining. Transverse costulae on forecoxa, metacoxa with a parallel-sided denticle with a rounded apex.

Antennae, tibiae, femora with no pilosity, only decumbent to suberect hairs and sparse punctulae. Body brown, legs ferruginous brown.

Type Material

Holotype worker: Panama, Bocas del Toro, Fortuna-Chirigui Grande rd., 8°47'N 82°12'W, 12/14-VII-78, 1050m, D.M. Olson (523), leg. Premontane rainforest sifted leaflitter. Deposited in Museum of Comparative Zoology.

Etymology

The name alludes to the transverse costulae on the propodeal declivity.

References

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

  • Fernández, F. and S. Sendoya. 2004. Lista de las hormigas neotropicales. Biota Colombiana Volume 5, Number 1.
  • Lattke J. E. 1995. Revision of the ant genus Gnamptogenys in the New World (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research 4: 137-193