Megalomyrmex gnomus

Megalomyrmex gnomus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Formicidae
Subfamily:	Myrmicinae
Tribe:	Solenopsidini
Genus:	Megalomyrmex
Species:	M. gnomus
Binomial name
Megalomyrmex gnomus Kempf, 1970

Nothing is known about the biology of Megalomyrmex gnomus.

Identification

Brandão (1990) - M. gnomus can be easily distinguished from all other species in the Pusillus group by the sharp tooth under the postpetiole, combined with the smooth translucid longitudinal flange under the petiole.

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: 5.266667° to -19.01666667°.

North Temperate	North Subtropical	Tropical	South Subtropical	South Temperate

• Source: AntMaps

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Neotropical Region: Brazil (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.

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.

• gnomus. Megalomyrmex gnomus Kempf, 1970c: 359, figs. 5-8 (w.) BRAZIL (Mato Grosso do Sul).
  • Type-material: holotype worker, 2 paratype workers.
  • Type-locality: holotype Brazil: Mato Grosso do Sul, Corumbá, 18.x.1953 (C.R. Gonçalves); paratypes with same data.
  • Type-depository: MZSP.
  • Status as species: Kempf, 1972a: 139; Brandão, 1990b: 451 (redescription); Bolton, 1995b: 249.
  • Distribution: Brazil.

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

Description

Worker

Brandão (1990) - Smooth mandibles with dental formula 2+6; clypeus strongly truncate in lateral view with anterior border round without median denticle; palpal formula 3:1; 12 ocular facets at compound eyes largest diameter; frontal suture not impressed; occipital margin not raised; promesonotal suture obsolete at dorsum; metanotal groove deeply impressed and smooth; dorsal face and declivity of propodeum meeting in a gentle angle; epipetiolar carina complete: non-pedunculate petiole with node slope curve and ventral face with anterior denticle leading to a smooth longitudinal flange; transverse postpetiole with laterally produced spiracles and ventral process in a sharp tooth.

Pilosity: long erect or suberect hairs (exceeding maximum diameter of eyes) at body dorsum, smaller oblique hairs on scapes and legs.

Color: bright yellow with darker gaster.

Type Material

Brandão (1990) - Brandão (1990) - Corumba, Mato Grosso do Sui, Brasil (19°01 'S, 57°39'W). Holotype and 2 paratypes at Museu de Zoologia de USP. The paratypes bear a label indicating Cuyaba as the locality, while in the original description all types are said to come from Corumba. The late Dr. Goncalves confirmed that all types came from a nest series taken in Corumba. I added a label to the paratypes saying: “Inform. do coletor. Localidade tipo: Corumba, MS. BrasiL CRG. 18.x.i953. CRF. Brandão. 1984”.

References

• Brandão, C. R. F. 1990b. Systematic revision of the Neotropical ant genus Megalomyrmex Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae), with the description of thirteen new species. Arq. Zool. (São Paulo) 31: 411-481 (page 451, see also)

• Franco, W., Ladino, N., Delabie, J.H.C., Dejean, A., Orivel, J., Fichaux, M., Groc, S., Leponce, M., Feitosa, R.M. 2019. First checklist of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of French Guiana. Zootaxa 4674, 509–543 (doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4674.5.2).
• Kempf, W. W. 1970c. Taxonomic notes on ants of the genus Megalomyrmex Forel, with the description of new species (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Stud. Entomol. 13: 353-364 (page 359, figs. 5-8 worker described)

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

• Brandão C. R. F. 1990. Systematic revision of the Neotropical ant genus Megalomyrmex Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae), with the description of thirteen new species. Arquivos de Zoologia (São Paulo) 31: 411-481
• Franco W., N. Ladino, J. H. C. Delabie, A. Dejean, J. Orivel, M. Fichaux, S. Groc, M. Leponce, and R. M. Feitosa. 2019. First checklist of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of French Guiana. Zootaxa 4674(5): 509-543.
• Groc S., J. H. C. Delabie, F. Fernandez, F. Petitclerc, B. Corbara, M. Leponce, R. Cereghino, and A. Dejean. 2017. Litter-dwelling ants as bioindicators to gauge the sustainability of small arboreal monocultures embedded in the Amazonian rainforest. Ecological Indicators 82: 43-49.
• Kempf W. W. 1970. Taxonomic notes on ants of the genus Megalomyrmex Forel, with the description of new species (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Studia Entomologica 13: 353-364.
• Kempf, W.W. 1972. Catalago abreviado das formigas da regiao Neotropical (Hym. Formicidae) Studia Entomologica 15(1-4).
• Ulyssea M. A., C. R. F. Brandao. 2013. Catalogue of Dacetini and Solenopsidini ant type specimens (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae) deposited in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil. Papies Avulsos de Zoologia 53(14): 187-209.