Hylomyrma columbica

Ulyssea & Brandao (2021) note that specimens of this species are frequently found in leaf-litter samples with winkler extractors or Berlese-Tüllgren funnels, which suggests that this species nests in the leaf-litter, fallen logs, rotten wood, or inside natural cavities of the superficial soil layers. Also, two specimens were found among plant fibers, which were sourced from Colombia, in a quarantine station in the USA, suggesting that workers may forage on vegetation.

Identification
Regular and longitudinal striae on head dorsum, mesial striation in part directed to posterior margin and in part anteriorly divergent and posteriorly convergent; irregular to regular striae of variable thickness on mesosoma dorsum, interspaces indistinguishable; mesonotum and metanotal groove region with semicircular striae; dorsal margin of petiole discontinuous, transverse striae on anterior region of dorsal surface continuing on lateral surface; subtriangular projection on mesoventral surface of petiole; subpostpetiolar process weak, convex; transverse striae on profemur posterior surface; protibia extensor surface striate; long striae on tergum of first gastral segment.

The sculpture on the mesosomal dorsum of H. columbica is similar to Hylomyrma dolichops and Hylomyrma montana. Hylomyrma columbica differs from H. dolichops (characteristic in parentheses) in the regular striae on the mesial region of head dorsum in part directed to posterior margin and in part anteriorly divergent and posteriorly convergent/parallel (vs. vermicular and divergent striae on anterior two-third of mesial area, irregular and parallel on the upper third), and the drop-shaped eye (vs. reniform). Hylomyrma columbica can be distinguished from H. montana in the combination of the regular striae on the mesial region of head dorsum in part directed to the posterior margin and in part anteriorly divergent and posteriorly convergent/parallel (vs. regular to irregular striae and divergent), the discontinuous dorsal margin of petiole (vs. continuous), and the long striae on tergum of the first gastral segment (vs. short striae). All three are allopatric in northwestern South America, but occur in nearby areas near the border between Colombia and Ecuador. Hylomyrma dolichops has a broader distribution (Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela) (Fig. 87), whereas H. columbica occurs in Colombia and in western Venezuela (Fig. 85), and H. montana has been recorded in Costa Rica, Panama and Ecuador (Fig. 83).

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

Nomenclature

 * . Pogonomyrmex (Hylomyrma) columbicus Forel, 1912g: 16 (w.) COLOMBIA.
 * Type-material: holotype worker.
 * Type-locality: Colombia: Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, La Guajira, road from Dibulla to San Antonio (A. Forel).
 * Type-depository: MHNG.
 * Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1960b: 4 (l.); Ulysséa & Brandão, 2021: 37 (q.).
 * Combination in Hylomyrma: Kempf, 1973b: 234.
 * Status as species: Emery, 1921f: 49; Kempf, 1972a: 118; Kempf, 1973b: 234 (redescription); Kutter, 1977a: 88; Bolton, 1995b: 213; Pierce, M.P., Branstetter, et al. 2017: 137; Fernández & Serna, 2019: 797; Ulysséa & Brandão, 2021: 34 (redescription).
 * Distribution: Colombia, Venezuela.

Type Material
Holotype: COLOMBIA: [Magdalena: Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Road between Dibulla and] San Antonio, A. Forel (1W) (CASENT0907676) [MHNG] [examined by Ulyssea & Brandao (2021)].