Neoponera laevigata

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Neoponera laevigata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Ponerinae
Tribe: Ponerini
Genus: Neoponera
Species group: laevigata
Species: N. laevigata
Binomial name
Neoponera laevigata
(Smith, F., 1858)

Pachycondyla laevigata casent0249152 p 1 high.jpg

Pachycondyla laevigata casent0249152 d 1 high.jpg

Specimen Labels

Synonyms

Since N. laevigata is probably closely related to Neoponera mashpi we consider the possibility that it could display a similar behavior, such as a diet based on termites. Borgmeier (1959) cites the observation “formando fila” (making a row) from P. Telles who collected specimens in Linhares, Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil. Schmid-Hempel (1998) noted that the phorid fly Ecitomyia juxtaposita Borgmeier is associated with colonies of this species in Brazil. Mackay and Mackay (2010) collected winged gynes in March and October, also in Brazil. These are the only published sources which could potentially be associated with N. laevigata. However, since we could not find the vouchers of these studies no confirmation is currently possible. In regards to Baroni Urbani (1993) who includes this species in an overall analysis of the evolution of recruitment behavior in ants, it is uncertain whether this is in fact N. laevigata as no details about the voucher material is mentioned. (Troya & Lattke, 2022)


At a Glance • Termite specialist  

Identification

Mackay and Mackay (2010): Neoponera laevigata workers and females could be confused with those of three other shiny species: Neoponera commutata, Neoponera marginata and Neoponera carbonaria. Neoponera laevigata can be easily separated from N. commutata and the moderately shiny N. carbonaria by the coarse striae on the side of the propodeum, which are very fine on both of the latter species. The mandibles of N. laevigata are smooth and shining, not dull and striate as in N. commutata and without the longitudinal fold as in N. marginata. The shape of the petiole is very different in N. carbonaria with the anterior face being nearly vertical and the posterior face being convex and meeting the anterior face at an angle and thus not forming a distinct dorsal face. Neoponera laevigata can be separated from N. marginata as the mandible lacks the carina or fold, which separates the inner part of the mandible from the outer part in N. marginata. The mostly shining black surfaces would separate this species from all of the other North American Neoponera.

Distribution

Southern Central America through central South America, Trinidad. (Mackay and Mackay 2010)

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: 68.702° to -64.23°.

         
North
Temperate 		North
Subtropical 		Tropical South
Subtropical 		South
Temperate

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Neotropical Region: Brazil (type locality), Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago.

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

Specimens have been collected between 350 and 700 meters in wet forest. (Mackay and Mackay 2010)

Biology

Mackay and Mackay (2010): This species nests in the soil under logs or under heavy leaf litter and sometimes occurs within the log. A male was collected in a nest in September (Panamá). A loose male was collected in March (Costa Rica) and winged females in March and October (Brasil) and December (Costa Rica).

Wheeler (1936) provided details on the biology of this species. He reports that C. Haskins found a column moving to a new nest site on Barro Colorado Island. The column was about 1.5 m in length and about 10 cm wide, containing males and females (August). Emerson found raids three times on Barro Colorado Island at midday during July and September (Wheeler, 1936). The columns were about 6 meters long and a single worker wide. The organized columns contain between 500 - 1700 workers (Downing, 1978). The ants were carrying workers and soldiers of the termites Amitermes beaumonti Banks and Heterotermes tenuis (Hagen), both common in dead wood on the forest floor (Wheeler, 1936). Neoponera laevigata is an important predator on the termites Nasutitermes costalis (Traniello, 1981); and prey on termites in the genera Neocapritermes, Microtermes and Coptotermes (Hölldobler and Traniello, 1980) and Speculitermes sp. (Borgmeier, 1959), in addition to the genera mentioned above. Workers are very aggressive and are able to sting.

Workers use a recruitment trail pheromone, which originates from the pygidial gland (Hölldobler and Traniello, 1980) and not, as previously assumed, from the hindgut (Blum, 1966). Baroni Urbani (1993) discussed the evolution of recruitment behavior in N. laevigata.

Association with Other Organisms

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  • This species is a associate (details unknown) for the phorid fly Ecitomyia juxtaposita (a associate (details unknown)) (Quevillon, 2018).

Castes

Worker

Images from AntWeb

Pachycondyla laevigata casent0902510 h 1 high.jpgPachycondyla laevigata casent0902510 p 1 high.jpgPachycondyla laevigata casent0902510 d 1 high.jpgPachycondyla laevigata casent0902510 l 1 high.jpg
Syntype of Ponera laevigata. Worker. Specimen code casent0902510. Photographer Will Ericson, uploaded by California Academy of Sciences. Owned by NHMUK, London, UK.

Nomenclature

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

  • laevigata. Ponera laevigata Smith, F. 1858b: 98 (w.) BRAZIL (Amazonas).
    • Type-material: 2 syntype workers.
    • Type-locality: Brazil: Ega (= Tefé), “58/6” (H.W. Bates).
    • Type-depository: BMNH.
    • [Misspelled as levigata by Dalla Torre, 1893: 34.]
    • Wheeler, W.M. 1936d: 162 (q.m.).
    • Combination in Euponera (Mesoponera): Emery, 1901a: 47;
    • combination in Termitopone: Wheeler, W.M. 1936d: 159;
    • combination in Pachycondyla: Mayr, 1886c: 358; Brown, in Bolton, 1995b: 306;
    • combination in Neoponera: Schmidt, C.A. & Shattuck, 2014: 151.
    • Status as species: Mayr, 1863: 448; Mayr, 1886c: 358; Emery, 1892b: 167; Dalla Torre, 1893: 34; Forel, 1895b: 114; Forel, 1899c: 13; Emery, 1911d: 82; Wheeler, W.M. 1916c: 2; Borgmeier, 1923: 71; Wheeler, W.M. 1936d: 161 (redescription); Borgmeier, 1959a: 314; Kempf, 1972a: 249; Bolton, 1995b: 306; Mackay, Mackay, et al. 2008: 195; Mackay & Mackay, 2010: 414 (redescription); Feitosa, 2015c: 99; Fernández & Guerrero, 2019: 534.
    • Senior synonym of gagatina: Emery, 1892b: 167; Dalla Torre, 1893: 34; Forel, 1895b: 114; Forel, 1899c: 13; Emery, 1911d: 82; Borgmeier, 1923: 71; Kempf, 1972a: 249; Bolton, 1995b: 306; Mackay & Mackay, 2010: 414.
    • Senior synonym of whelpleyi: Wheeler, W.M. 1936d: 164 (in text); Kempf, 1972a: 249; Bolton, 1995b: 306; Mackay & Mackay, 2010: 414.
    • Distribution: Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Trinidad.
  • gagatina. Pachycondyla gagatina Emery, 1890a: 75 (w.) COSTA RICA.
    • Type-material: syntype workers (number not stated).
    • Type-locality: Costa Rica: Jiménez (A. Alfaro).
    • Type-depository: MSNG.
    • [Also described as new by Emery, 1894k: 48.]
    • Status as species: Emery, 1890b: 42.
    • Junior synonym of laevigata: Emery, 1892b: 167; Dalla Torre, 1893: 34; Forel, 1895b: 114; Forel, 1899c: 13; Emery, 1911d: 82; Borgmeier, 1923: 71; Kempf, 1972a: 249; Bolton, 1995b: 305; Mackay & Mackay, 2010: 414.
  • whelpleyi. Euponera (Mesoponera) laevigata var. whelpleyi Wheeler, W.M. 1922c: 3 (w.) TRINIDAD.
    • Type-material: holotype worker.
    • Type-locality: Trinidad: Caparo (P.B. Whelpley).
    • Type-depository: MCZC.
    • Junior synonym of laevigata: Wheeler, W.M. 1936d: 164 (in text); Kempf, 1972a: 249; Bolton, 1995b: 311; Mackay & Mackay, 2010: 414.

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

Description

Worker

Mackay and Mackay (2010): The worker is usually a moderately sized (total length 5 - 10 mm) shiny black ant with dark brown appendages. The eye is relatively large (0.5 mm maximum diameter) with a diameter about twice as long as the distance between the anterior border of the eye and the anterior border of the head (side view). There is no malar carina. The scape extends slightly past the posterior lateral corner of the head. The pronotal shoulder is swollen, but does not form a carina. The dorsum of the mesosoma is nearly straight, the metanotal suture is poorly developed, but present on the dorsum of the mesosoma. The propodeal spiracle is slit-shaped and the posterior face of the propodeum is separated from the sides of the propodeum by a sharp edge. The petiole is thick when viewed in profile, with the anterior face being slightly concave, the posterior face being convex and the dorsal face being well defined. The dorsal face of the petiole is much broader posteriorly than anteriorly (seen from above). The posterior lateral edges of the petiole are sharp between the sides of the petiole and the posterior face. The anterior face of the postpetiole is slightly concave and meets the dorsal face at an angle.

Erect hairs are abundant on most surfaces, including the sides of the head, the shaft of the scape, the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the head, the dorsum of the mesosoma, the legs (most of the hairs on the tibiae and many on the remainder of the legs are suberect), the dorsum of the petiole and all surfaces of the gaster.

Most of the head is smooth and glossy, but distinct poorly defined striae are present on the dorsum, the mesosoma is mostly smooth and glossy, but the upper half of the mesopleuron and the side of the propodeum have well-developed coarse striae. The dorsal face of the propodeum has a few short (0.3 mm in length) poorly developed striae, the posterior face of the propodeum is smooth and glossy. Most of the petiole and gaster are smooth and glossy.

The workers of this species are polymorphic. They may be as small as 5 mm total length, with all sizes up to the length of the largest worker (total length 10 mm). The smaller workers are less sculptured and the entire head may be smooth and glossy.

Queen

Mackay and Mackay (2010): The female is a large (total length 13 mm) mostly shiny black ant. The mandible has approximately 11 teeth (basalmost teeth are small and poorly defined) that alternate in size. The anterior margin of the clypeus is broadly convex. The eye is moderately sized (maximum diameter 0.6 mm) located about ⅔ diameter from the anterior margin of the head. The scapes barely reach the posterior lateral corner of the head. The pronotal shoulder is swollen but does not form a well-developed carina. The propodeal spiracle is slit-shaped. The petiole is shaped like that of the worker, moderately thickened when viewed in profile with a slightly concave anterior face and a slightly convex posterior face, which converge dorsally and form a moderately well-developed dorsal face. The subpetiolar process is a lobe, which is angulate ventrally. Erect hairs (up to 0.4 mm in length) are present on the mandibles, clypeus, dorsal and ventral surfaces of the head, sides of the head, posterior margin, scapes, mesosoma, petiole and all surfaces of the gaster, the hairs on the legs are suberect to erect only; appressed pubescence is sparse and only noticeable on the gaster.

The dorsum of the head has longitudinal striae, which diverge posteriorly, the dorsum of the mesosoma is mostly smooth and glossy, as are the side of the pronotum and the anepisternum, the katepisternum and side of the propodeum are striate. The side of the petiole has a little evidence of horizontal striae and is mostly smooth and glossy as is the posterior face. The gaster is nearly completely smooth and glossy.

Male

Mackay and Mackay (2010): The male is a moderately sized (total length 11 mm) shiny black specimen. The mandibles are tiny and have the oval-shaped depression near the base. The anterior margin of the clypeus is convex with the middle of the clypeus being swollen. The eyes are large (maximum diameter 0.74 mm) occupying more than ½ of the side of the head. The ocelli are relatively small (maximum diameter of the medial ocellus is 0.14 mm). The pronotal shoulder is slightly swollen, the propodeal spiracle is elongated. The shape of the petiole is similar to that of the worker, with the anterior face being nearly straight and the posterior face being convex and converging dorsally, forming a broadly rounded dorsal face. The subpetiolar process is similar to that of the female and only slightly less developed.

Erect hairs (up to 0.3 mm in length) are present on the mandibles, clypeus, all surfaces of the head, dorsum of the mesosoma, dorsum of the petiole and all surfaces of the gaster, most hairs on the legs are nearly erect.

Most surfaces are smooth and glossy as in the worker and female.

Type Material

Brasil: Amazonas: Ega; Trinidad, Capara. Two syntype workers seen, (The Natural History Museum); syntype seen, Museum of Comparative Zoology (Mackay and Mackay 2010)

Etymology

The name of this species is from the Latin word laevigatus, meaning smooth, referring to the sculpturing of this species. (Mackay and Mackay 2010)

References

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

  • Alonso L. E., J. Persaud, and A. Williams. 2016. Biodiversity assessment survey of the south Rupununi Savannah, Guyana. BAT Survey Report No.1, 306 pages.
  • Andrade T., G. D. V. Marques, K. Del-Claro. 2007. Diversity of ground dwelling ants in Cerrado: an analysis of temporal variations and distinctive physiognomies of vegetation (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Sociobiology 50(1): 121-134.
  • Borgmeier T. 1959. Myrmecologische Studien. II. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias 31: 309-319.
  • Carvalho Pereira L. P. 2012. Estrutura da comunidade de formigas poneromorfas (Hymenoptera:Formicidae) em uma área da Floresta Amazônica. Master Thesis Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro. 64 pages.
  • Fernandes I., and J. de Souza. 2018. Dataset of long-term monitoring of ground-dwelling ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the influence areas of a hydroelectric power plant on the Madeira River in the Amazon Basin. Biodiversity Data Journal 6: e24375.
  • Fernández F., and T. M. Arias-Penna. 2008. Las hormigas cazadoras en la región Neotropical. Pp. 3-39 in: Jiménez, E.; Fernández, F.; Arias, T.M.; Lozano-Zambrano, F. H. (eds.) 2008. Sistemática, biogeografía y conservación de las hormigas cazadoras de Colombia. Bogotá: Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt, xiv + 609 pp.
  • Fernández, F. and S. Sendoya. 2004. Lista de las hormigas neotropicales. Biota Colombiana Volume 5, Number 1.
  • 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, M. Leponce, J. Orivel, R. Silvestre, Heraldo L. Vasconcelos, and A. Dejean. 2013. Leaf-litter ant communities (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in a pristine Guianese rainforest: stable functional structure versus high species turnover. Myrmecological News 19: 43-51.
  • INBio Collection (via Gbif)
  • Kempf, W.W. 1972. Catalago abreviado das formigas da regiao Neotropical (Hym. Formicidae) Studia Entomologica 15(1-4).
  • Longino J. et al. ADMAC project. Accessed on March 24th 2017 at https://sites.google.com/site/admacsite/
  • 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
  • Mentone T. O., E. A. Diniz, C. B. Munhae, O. C. Bueno, and M. S. C. Morini. 2011. Composition of ant fauna (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) at litter in areas of semi-deciduous forest and Eucalyptus spp., in Southeastern Brazil. Biota Neotrop. 11(2): http://www.biotaneotropica.org.br/v11n2/en/abstract?inventory+bn00511022011.
  • Oliveira Mentone T. de, E. A. Diniz, C. de Bortoli Munhae, O. Correa Bueno and M. S. de Castro Morini. 2012. Composition of ant fauna (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) at litter in areas of semi-deciduous forest and Eucalyptus spp., in Southeastern Brazil. Biota Neotrop 11(2): 237-246.
  • Suguituru S. S., D. R. de Souza, C. de Bortoli Munhae, R. Pacheco, and M. S. de Castro Morini. 2011. Diversidade e riqueza de formigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) em remanescentes de Mata Atlântica na Bacia Hidrográfica do Alto Tietê, SP. Biota Neotrop. 13(2): 141-152.
  • Wheeler W. M. 1916. Ants collected in British Guiana by the expedition of the American Museum of Natural History during 1911. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 35: 1-14.
  • Wheeler W. M. 1922. The ants of Trinidad. American Museum Novitates 45: 1-16.
  • Wheeler W. M. 1936. Ecological relations of ponerine and other ants to termites. Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. 71: 159-243.
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