Adelomyrmex micans

Adelomyrmex micans is a high elevation specialist inhabiting mature cloud forest from 1700–2700 m, usually above 2000 m. Most specimens are from sifted litter, and when present it occurs in 1–5% of quantitative miniWinkler samples. Workers are occasionally encountered at baits. At a site in the Cordillera de Chiapas, LLAMA project participant D. J. Cox hand-collected a specimen 25 m high in a cloud forest tree, by searching under epiphytes. (Longino 2012)

Identification
This species is easily recognizable, as the head is smooth and shiny as no other species of the genus in Mesoamerica. Much of the remainder of the body is also smooth and glossy, except for a few small areas with sculpture. The propodeum has angulate corners instead of teeth or spines. It is notable that some of the workers have well defined ocelli, a characteristic which is not found in the other species in the genus and a phenomenon which is rare in the Myrmicinae. These specimens are obviously workers and are not intercastes. The hypostomal tooth is small, and difficult to see, and may even be absent.

Key to Adelomyrmex of the New World mainland

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico.

Castes
Males have yet to be collected.

Nomenclature

 *  micans. Adelomyrmex micans Fernández, in Fernández & Mackay, 2003: 601 (w.q.) MEXICO. See also: Fernández, 2003b: 23.

Worker
Head slightly concave posteriorly. Mandibles with 7 teeth, the three apical-most larger. Anterior margin of clypeal plate straight. Clypeal plate dorsally with longitudinal carinae which extends to the level of the antennal insertions. Eyes with about 8 ommatidia. Some workers with 3 ocelli. Hypostomal tooth very small. Promesonotum slightly convex. Metanotal groove well marked. Propodeum angulate, without teeth. Genae with several longitudinal rugulae. Three longitudinal rugulae extending from frontal lobes. Propodeal dorsum with 4 transverse striae, posterior face smooth and shining with 4 longitudinal striae. Dorsum of body with numerous long hairs. Propodeum with short scattered hairs. Body dark brown, appendages lighter.

Queen
As worker with the typical traits of myrmicine queens. Hypostomal teeth not easily visible.