Mayaponera becculata

This species nests in rotten logs. Workers are found in leaf litter and in leaf mold. Dealate females were collected in June and July (Ecuador). (Mackay and Mackay 2010)

Identification
From Mackay and Mackay (2010): Mayaponera becculata could be easily confused with Mayaponera arhuaca. The worker and female can be separated by the sharp tooth or process on the anterior edge of the clypeus, which is absent in M. arhuaca as well as in most of the other species of Mayaponera and Rasopone. Other species with angulate medial borders of the clypeus include Neoponera concava and Neoponera coveri, which can be easily separated by the presence of a pronotal carina, which is lacking in M. becculata.

Distribution
PANAMA, COLOMBIA, ECUADOR, PERU, VENEZUELA. (Mackay and Mackay 2010)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, Venezuela.

Habitat
Specimens have been collected in bamboo forests, moss-bamboo forests, on an oak ridge, on steep slopes of primary forest, cloud forest at 1450 and 2024m, riparian montane evergreen forest, ridge top montane forest and even second growth rain forest, at elevations between 1000 - 2000 meters. (Mackay and Mackay 2010)

Nomenclature

 *  becculata. Pachycondyla becculata Mackay & Mackay, 2010: 216, figs. 27, 47, 195, 341-346 (w.q.) ECUADOR.
 * Combination in Rasopone: Schmidt & Shattuck, 2014: 210.
 * Combination in Mayaponera: Longino & Branstetter, 2020: 10.

Worker
The worker of this species is relatively small (total length 5.5 - 7 mm) nearly black with medium brown appendages and reddish brown man-dibles. The anterior edge of the clypeus forms a sharp tooth medially. The head length (including the clypeal tooth) is 1.3 - 1.4 mm, the head width 1.1 mm. The eyes are relatively small (maximum length 0.2 mm), which is nearly twice the length of the distance from the eye to the anterior edge of the head (side view). The scape is relatively short (1.1 mm) and extends only slightly past the posterior lateral corner of the head. The metanotal suture is deeply impressed on the dorsum of the mesosoma, the propodeal spiracle is circular. The anterior face of the petiole is straight or slightly convex, the posterior face appears convex (both seen from the side), the posterior face appears concave (when seen from above) with sharp lateral margins. The stridulatory file is absent on the dorsum of the gaster. The metasternal process consists of two well-developed train-gular lobes.

Erect hairs are moderately abundant on nearly all surfaces, including the head, scapes, mesosoma, petiole and gaster; most hairs on the tibiae are appressed, although short bristly hairs are present on the extensor and flexor surfaces. The mandible is mostly striate, the remainder of the surfaces is mostly punctate and dull and the posterior face of the petiole is very finely punctate shiny and glossy.

Queen
The female is similar to the worker, with a less developed clypeal tooth (length 0.12 mm). It is a simple angle or process in some females. The head length is 1.6 mm; the head width is 1.4 mm and the scape length is 1.25 mm. The eye is moderately large (0.25 mm in maximum diameter) located < 1 diameter from the anterior edge of the head (side view). The ocelli are well developed; the scape extends to the posterior lateral corner of the head. The pronotal carina is absent. The propodeal spiracle is nearly circular. The anterior face of the petiole is vertical and meets the broadly rounded posterior face in a moderately sharp angle. Erect hairs are moderately abundant on most surfaces, including the legs, but mostly short (0.1 - 0.2 mm); appressed pubescence is golden and short. The sculpture is similar to that of the worker.

Male
Males are unknown for this species.

Type Material
ECUADOR: Prov. Pichincha, S.&J.Peck 1975; 20-30 Km ENE Alluriquin on Chiriboga Rd 1400-1800 m, moss for. B301. Holotype worker, 18 paratype workers.

Etymology
From Latin, beccus meaning beak and lattus meaning flank, referring to the spine on the anterior margin of the clypeus. William Brown suggested the name.