Solenopsis andina

The types, and only known specimens, of Solenopsis andina were collected at 3700m in northern Argentina.

Identification
A New World thief ant that is a member of the nigella species complex.

Pacheco and Mackay (2013) – Worker - This is a moderately large brown species with large eyes that contain 45-55 ommatidia. Vertical striae are located anterior to the eye, not touching the clypeal margin anteriorly. The head is quadrate and is only slightly longer than wide. The posterior propodeal margin is angular with a triangular ridge. A large and well developed subpeduncular tooth is present.

Closely related to the extremely similar species Solenopsis nigella and Solenopsis gensterblumi, which occur in the same general area. With future collections, it may be shown that they are all the same polymorphic species. At the present time, they can be separated based on eye size and number of ommatidia. Solenopsis nigella has 30-35 ommatidia and is less than 2 mm in total length while S. gensterblumi has an eye with 25-30 ommatidia and is 1.5 mm in total length. Solenopsis andina also looks similar to Solenopsis schilleri from the same area of Argentina, but can be distinguished as S. schilleri has a larger eye (approximately 60 ommatidia) and a more rounded posterior propodeal margin. Additionally, S. andina can be further separated from S. schilleri by having less developed clypeal carinae and fewer striae at the top margin of the mesopleuron.


 * Key to New World Solenopsis Species Complexes

Distribution
Known only from type locality, Argentina, Jujuy, Cueva d'Iturbe.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Argentina.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  andina. Solenopsis andina Santschi, 1923c: 262, fig. 3 (w.) ARGENTINA. Combination in S. (Euophthalma): Creighton, 1930b: 107.

Worker
Pacheco and Mackay (2013) - Measurements. TL 2.56-2.75 (2.66); HL 0.702-0.738 (0.720); HW 0.624-0.708 (0.666); EL 0.126-0.138 (0.132); ED 0.090-0.102 (0.096); SL 0.444-0.480 (0.462); FSL 0.156-0.174 (0.165); CI 88.9-95.9 (92.4); SI 63.2-65.0 (64.1); PL 0.12; PW 0.162-0.168 (0.165); PI 71.4-74.1 (72.8); PPL 0.144-0.150 (0.147); PPW 0.21; PPI 68.6-71.4 (70.0); WL 0.48; PSL 0.036; PSW 0.030-0.036 (0.033).

Head quadrate, only slightly longer than wide; longitudinal striae present anterior to eye, extend nearly to anterior clypeal margin; clypeal carinae well developed, extend past anterior margin to form short lateral teeth; extralateral teeth absent, but clypeus still bent at extralateral region; scape does not reach posterior border; funicular segment 2 longer than wide (approximately 0.102 mm width to 0.540 mm length); mesopleuron and metapleuron completely covered with horizontal striae; petiolar node with steep sides, forms sharp triangular node, wider than postpetiole when viewed laterally; well-developed subpeduncular tooth present.

Moderately hairy with head having most of pilosity present; head has fine punctures with semi-erect hairs protruding from them; erect and suberect hairs of various lengths present on all body surfaces.

Type Material
Argentina, Jujuy, Cueva d'Iturbe, alt. 3700 m. (lng. Weiser), (lectotype worker [here designated] and 1 paralectotype worker ).