Megalomyrmex bidentatus

Megalomyrmex bidentatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Formicidae
Subfamily:	Myrmicinae
Tribe:	Solenopsidini
Genus:	Megalomyrmex
Species group:	leoninus
Species:	M. bidentatus
Binomial name
Megalomyrmex bidentatus Fernández & Baena, 1997 Specimen Labels

Brandão (2003) - This species was described based on workers collected by F. Escobar in two localities within the county of Barbacoa, Nariño province, Colombia (see localities description in Fernández and Baena, 1997): Tajadas, 1000 m (accession number 446), and Reserva Natural Río Nambí (see Escobar & Valderrama, 1995).

At a Glance

• Ergatoid queen

Photo Gallery

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  This large orange Megalomyrmex bidentatus is probably the largest Megalomyrmex of the Canandé, Ecuador. Megalomyrmex are known for their heavy chemical weaponry (alkaloids). The nest was located on a large tree trunk between some dead leaves. Photo by Phil Hoenle.

Identification

Brandão (2003) - The original description includes characters I used to define the Leoninus group, except for the bidentate propodeum, which is apparently the only apomorphy for this species. Megalomyrmex foreli and Megalomyrmex timbira may have pointed propodeal angles, but never produced as pointed teeth as in the M. bidentatus paratype examined. To the original description I should add that the paratype lacks paired pointed acrosternites at the meso and metasternae. Also Fernández & Baena (op. cit.) rightly call attention to the shape of the head is greatly modified in relation to other species in this group, being much longer than broad.

The only species in the Leoninus group recorded thus far in such high Andean altitudes is M. foreli, which can be distinguished from M. bidentatus by the presence of a conspicuous sharp tooth on the ventral side of the postpetiole, that may be worn out (if so leaving a noticeable scar), but never completely lacking as in M. bidentatus.

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: 1.283333333° to -1.683055556°.

North Temperate	North Subtropical	Tropical	South Subtropical	South Temperate

• Source: AntMaps

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Neotropical Region: Colombia (type locality), Ecuador.

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.

• bidentatus. Megalomyrmex bidentatus Fernández & Baena, 1997: 112, fig. 3 (w.) COLOMBIA.
  • Type-material: holotype worker, 14 paratype workers.
  • Type-locality: holotype Colombia: Nariño, Barbacoas, Tajadas, no. 446 (F. Escobar); paratypes: 1 worker with same data, 13 workers Nariño, Barbacoas, Reserve Nacional Natural Rio Nambi, no. 190 (F. Escobar).
  • Type-depositories: ICNB (holotype); AMNH, BMNH, IAVH, IMLT, MIZA, MZSP, PSWC, USNM, UVCC, WEMC (paratypes).
  • Status as species: Brandão, 2003: 151; Fernández & Serna, 2019: 806.
  • Distribution: Colombia.

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

Type Material

Brandão (2003) - Fernández deposited one specimen labelled as paratype from Rio Nambí at the MZSP, but in the original description, after giving information on the holotype, the authors say: “Obrera paratipo: Una obrera con los mismos datos del holotipo depositada en MZSPC; 13 obreras...”, although in the measurements section they present figures taken from 13 “paratype” workers. I consulted Fernández, who agreed that their intention was to consider all 14 known specimens as types, so, with their agreement, I hereby correct this information, and thus consider also the specimens from the second locality as paratypes.

References

• Brandão, C. R. F. 2003. Further revisionary studies on the ant gentus Megalomyrmex Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Pap. Avulsos Zool. (São Paulo) 43: 145-159.
• Fernández, F.; Baena, M. L. 1997. Hormigas de Colombia VII: nuevas especies de los géneros Lachnomyrmex Wheeler y Megalomyrmex Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Caldasia 19: 109-114 (page 112, fig. 3 worker described)

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

• Brandão C. R. F. 2003. Further revisionary studies on the ant genus Megalomyrmex Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Papeis Avulsos de Zoologia (São Paulo) 43: 145-159