Gnamptogenys flava

Known from the type material, collected in montane evergreen forest from a litter extraction (Cochabamba, Bolivia).

Identification
Pacheco et al. (2004) - The mandibles are subtriangular with abundant hairs, especially on the apices, the anterior margin of the clypeus is nearly straight with 6 erect hairs. The promesonotal and metonotal sutures are poorly developed when viewed from above, and the sculpture of the body is completely longitudinally costulate, including the head, mesosoma, petiole, and dorsum of the gaster. The dorsal surface of the scape and mandibles are smooth and polished. The node of the petiole is low, and the anterior peduncle is short. The costulae on the posterior face of the propodeum are longitudinal and on the posterior face of the petiole are horizontal. The dorsum of the postpetiole (first tergite of the gaster) has longitudinal costulae, with the ventral and medial surface smooth and glossy.

The single yellow specimen is a member of the Gnamptogenys sulcate group, the sulcata subgroup, and the sulcata species complex ( = tornata complex in Lattke 1995: 145) all as defined by Lattke (1995).

Gnamptogenys flava can be separated from Gnamptogenys fernandezi (fernandezi complex of the sulcata subgroup), by the nearly straight anterior border of the clypeus, which is convex and somewhat pointed in G. fernandezi. The mandibles of G. flava are subtriangular and do not meet along the masticatory border; they are triangular and meet along the entire masticatory border in G. fernandezi.

It can be separated from members of the sulcata species complex by the presence of a well-developed metacoxal tooth, as well as angles on the propodeum (both lacking in G. sulcata) and yellow color (dark brown in G. sulcata). The distributions of the two species overlap. It differs from the Colombian species Gnamptogenys curvoclypeata by the nearly straight anterior border of the clypeus, which is medially convex and laterally concave in G. curvoclypeata. It can be separated from the northern South American Gnamptogenys acuminata by the petiolar node which is acutely pointed at its apex in G. acuminata, and by the metacoxal spine, which is lacking in G. acuminata. Also, G. flava can be separated from the northern South American Gnamptogenys tortuolosa by the longitudinal costulate on the posterior face of the propodeum (transverse in G. tortuolosa), the presence of angles on the propodeum (absent in G. tortuolosa), and the posterior angle of the apex of the petiole not overhanging the vertical posterior faces (strongly overhanging the vertical, posterior face in G. tortuolosa).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Bolivia.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  flava. Gnamptogenys flava Pacheco, Mackay & Morgan, 2004: 435, figs. 1-6 (w.) BOLIVIA.

Worker
HL 1.34, ML 0.69, HW 1.10, SL 1.14, ED 0.36, EW 0.27, WL 1.87; Indices: CI 82, SI 104, OI 75.

Mandibles subtriangular, when closed probably cross at midlength; anterior border of clypeus nearly straight, sharply angulate at lateral corners; frontal carinae covering most of antennal insertion; eyes large, with approximately 140 ommatidia, eyes extend 0.01 mm past sides of head; scape extends 0.40 mm past posterolateral corner; promesonotal and metonotal sutures poorly developed and do not break sculpture of longitudinal costulae as seen from above; metacoxal spine present, acute, length 0.30 mm; anterior face of petiole sloping posteriorly, meeting posterior face at angle and 435 not overhanging vertical, posterior face; subpetiolar process angulate anteriorly and posteriorly.

Surfaces of clypeus, head, mesosoma, petiole, and gaster, including lateral surface of dorsum of postpetiole, longitudinally costulate; mandible, scape and medial surface of sternum of postpetiole smooth and polished.

Moderately hairy; mandible with several suberect hairs, especially at apices; 6 erect hairs on anterior border of clypeus, with several suberect hairs, few suberect hairs on dorsum of clypeus; few suberect hairs present on head; several suberect hairs on scape, with 3-6 longer, erect hairs on scape; 12 erect hairs on mesosoma; 5 erect hairs on petiole; gaster abundantly hairy, especially apex.

Type Material
Holotype. Worker, Bolivia, Cochabamba, 109 k E Cochabamba at Lagunitas, l7°6'22"S 65°40'57"W, 1-ii-1999, R. Anderson # 18640.

Etymology
Latin from flavus meaning yellow, referring to body color.