Pachycondyla constricticeps

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Pachycondyla constricticeps
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Ponerinae
Tribe: Ponerini
Genus: Pachycondyla
Species: P. constricticeps
Binomial name
Pachycondyla constricticeps
Mackay, W.P. & Mackay, E.E., 2010

From Mackay and Mackay (2010): The single worker was foraging on the ground. Pachycondyla striata was common in the same area.

Identification

From Mackay and Mackay (2010): Pachycondyla constricticeps is very similar to Pachycondyla striata with the mesosoma, petiole and gaster being identical. It is easily separated by the constricted region of the head posterior to the eyes (convex in P. striata), the relatively smaller eyes and the nearly straight posterior border (concave in P. striata). The constriction on the head of P. constricticeps would separate this species from all other New World species. The shape of the head resembles that of members of the genus Odontomachus, but the head is less narrowed and the mandibles are not elongated as in Odontomachus.

Distribution

ARGENTINA. (Mackay and Mackay 2010)

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: 25.68015° to -25.969°.

     
North
Temperate
North
Subtropical
Tropical South
Subtropical
South
Temperate

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Neotropical Region: Argentina (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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Habitat

The holotype was collected in a disturbed tropical rain forest.

Biology

Castes

Nomenclature

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

  • constricticeps. Pachycondyla constricticeps Mackay & Mackay, 2010: 274, figs. 60, 247, 402, 403 (w.) ARGENTINA (Misiones).
    • Type-material: holotype worker.
    • Type-locality: Argentina: Misiones, 20 km. E Wanda, Picada Tirica, 2.i.2008, # 22750 (W. & E. Mackay).
    • Type-depository: IMLT.
    • Combination in Pachycondyla: Schmidt, C.A. & Shattuck, 2014: 155.
    • Distribution: Argentina.

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

Description

Worker

The worker is a large (total length 14 mm) black ant. The head length is 2.94 mm; the head width (at the posterior edge of eye) is 2.40 mm. The head is strongly constricted posterior to the eye and the eye is relatively small (maximum diameter 0.55 mm).

The mandibles have 11 teeth with the apical tooth much larger than the others, which are approximately equal in size. The medial anterior border of the clypeus is slightly concave. The posterior border of the head is slightly convex. The pronotal shoulder is formed into a sharp carina, which slightly overhangs the side of the pronotum. The metanotal suture is barely marked. The propodeal spiracle is slit-shaped. The metasternal process is similar to that of Pachycondyla striata. The subpetiolar process consists of a broadly rounded lobe. The stridulatory file on the second pretergite is absent, the arolia between the tarsal claws are absent.

Erect hairs are abundant on the mandibles, clypeus, dorsal and ventral surfaces of the head, the sides of the head near the eyes and the posterior border of the head. Erect hairs are absent on most of the side of the head posterior to the eyes. The scape has several suberect hairs on the shaft. The dorsum of the mesosoma, legs, ventral and dorsal surfaces of the petiole and all surfaces of the gaster have erect and suberect hairs; sparse appressed pubescence is present on the dorsum of the head, dorsum of the mesosoma, anterior and dorsal faces of the petiole, appressed hair is abundant on the gaster. The mandibles are polished to finely striated. The dorsum of the head is covered with irregular striae, which diverge posteriorly; the striae on the dorsum of the pronotum are concentric anteriorly and diverging posteriorly, those on the mesonotum and anterior part of the dorsal face to the propodeum are longitudinal, those on the posterior half of the dorsal face are transverse or concentric, striae on the posterior face of the propodeum are transverse; those on the mesopleuron and side of the propodeum are mostly longitudinal. The striae on the dorsum of the petiole are very fine and mostly transverse, the striae on the side of the petiole are indistinct, the gaster is dull and very finely punctated.

Queen

Queens are not known for this species.

Male

Males are not known for this species.

Type Material

ARGENTINA, Misiones. Holotype worker (Fundacion e Instituto Miguel Lillo )

Etymology

From Latin, constrictus, meaning drawn together or contracted and caput, meaning head, characterizing how the head is constricted posterior to the eyes.

References

  • Mackay, W.P., Mackay, E.E. 2010. The systematics and biology of the New World ants of the genus Pachycondyla (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Edwin Mellon Press, Lewiston.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

  • Mackay, W.P. and E.E. MacKay. 2010. The systematics and biology of the New World ants of the genus Pachycondyla (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Edwin Mellen Press Lewiston, NY