Carebara globularia

Many of the numerous type collections, from various locations, are specified as being collected from litter samples. One is noted as being from a forest.

Identification
Fernández (2004) - A member of the Carebara lignata species complex. This is one of the smaller species of the complex and, hence of ants in general, with a total length barely more than a millimiter. The general habitus is similar to Carebara reticulata of the Andean mountains. However, the clypeal and propodeal configuration, the propodeal spiracle and, especially, the postpetiole size and shape are distinctive. The presence of a smooth and shining frontal triangle and the subglobose postpetiole differentiate this species from any other in the complex.

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

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  globularia. Carebara globularia Fernández, 2004a: 214, figs. 4F-G, 13 (w.) COLOMBIA.

Worker
Holotype (Paratypes n=3): HW 0.24 (0.24-0.25); HL 0.31 (0.31-0.33); SL 0.16 (0.16-0.18); PW 0.14 (0.14-0.15); WL 0.29 (0.29-0.30); GL 0.24 (0.24-0.25); TL 1.04 (1.04-1.07); CI 77 (77); SI 67; (67–72).

Head slightly longer than wide. Posterior border concave, lateral sides faintly concave. Mandibles with 4 teeth (right mandible with basal tooth effaced). Median portion of clypeus slightly concave. In frontal oblique view, clypeal lateral carinae strongly narrowed posteriorly and between frontal lobes, then continued as frontal triangle. Scapes fail to reach the vertexal border in ½ of the head length. In side view, alitrunk slightly convex, interrupted by the deep metanotal groove. Mesonotal groove deep and well-marked dorsally and partially laterally. Propodeum with feeble angulation between dorsal and sloping faces. Propodeal spiracle relatively large, circular, high and very close to the propodeal margin. Bullae of metapleural gland moderate in size. Propodeal lobes reduced to narrow lamellae that reach the more propodeal dorsum. Petiole with short peduncle, evenly continuous with the dorsal rounded node; petiolar node at midway of petiolar length. Subpetiolar process produced as strong spine directed forward, spine normally not visible in mounted specimens. Postpetiole dorsally concave, lower than petiole. In dorsal view petiole longer than wide, postpetiole subglobose, wider posteriorly and notably wider and longer than petiole. In dorsal view anterior margin of first slightly concave. Body smooth and shining. Mandibles with several scattered punctures, head densely puncturated (except in the central longitudinal area), each punctum with a small hair. Anterior sides of head with very fine longitudinal striation. Sides of alitrunk dorsum of petiolar peduncle with a faint to moderate reticulation (Clearly seen in fresh specimens, barely seen in some dry mounted specimens). Short curved hairs (less than 0.017 mm) abundant over body, especially on dorsum of head. Medium hairs (about 0.033 mm): Six to eight in promesonotum, two on propodeum, about four in petiole and four in postpetiole, several on gaster. Longer hairs (more than 0040 mm): Four arising from anterior clypeal margin extending forward over most of mandible length. Two in each side of head, near the occipital border. Yellow brown.

Type Material
Holotype worker. COLOMBIA. Caquetá: Solano, Chiribiquete National Park, Mesay River, “Green Blue Forest”, site 5, 0°14’32”N 72°56’15”W, 300 m, winkler No. 66, 8 Feb 2000, F. Quevedo, leg., deposited in. Paratypes. 3 workers, same data as type, IAvH; COLOMBIA. Amazonas: 1 worker, 7 km NW Leticia, in litter, 20-25 mar 1972, S. & J. Peck No. 250, MZSP; Nariño: 1 worker, Kofan Territory, 700 m, 28 sep 1998, winkler No. 2, E.L. González,. ECUADOR. Napo: 2 workers, Limoncocha, 00°24’N 76°36’W, 280 m, 13 ago 1973, M. Retttenmeyer No. 67, IAvH and.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Fernández F. 2004. The American species of the myrmicine ant genus Carebara Westwood (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Caldasia 26: 191-238.