Neoponera antecurvata

Type material was collected from a canopy-fogging sample, from a malaise trap in Dipteryx (= Coumarouna) oleifera (Fabaceae) and on foliage of Byttneria aculeata (Sterculiaceae).

Identification
Mackay and Mackay (2010): The worker of Neoponera antecurvata is similar to that of Neoponera unidentata. Neoponera antecurvata can be distinguished by the form of the petiole, in which a short oblique dorsal face is present, with the highest point being just anterior to the midpoint of the petiole. In Neoponera unidentata the highest point is near the anterior edge of the petiole where the vertical anterior face meets the broadly rounded posterior face. Neoponera antecurvata could also be confused with Neoponera carinulata but the petiole is different with the highest point being anterior to the midpoint, not posterior to the midpoint as in N. carinulata.

Distribution
Known from Brasil, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, and Peru.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Brazil, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Peru.

Habitat
Known from wet tropical rain forest.

Biology
From Longino, Ants of Costa Rica:

"This species is a mature forest version of the widespread second growth species Neoponera unidentata. It is very common in the canopy of mature forest at La Selva Biological Station, where it has been collected in canopy fogging samples from at least 5 different trees, and as strays in recent treefalls. I have collected workers in recent treefalls elsewhere in Costa Rica, and at sites in Honduras and Guatemala. The northernmost record is from Tikal National Park.

I collected a nest of the species at Lancetilla Botanical Garden, Honduras. The nest was in a live stem of a streamside Erythrina (Fabaceae) tree in mature forest.

Specimens with similar morphology are also known from Joachim Adis' canopy work in Amazonia and Terry Erwin's fogging samples from Tambopata, Peru."

Nomenclature

 *  antecurvata. Pachycondyla antecurvata Mackay & Mackay, 2010: 201, figs. 331, 332 (w.) COSTA RICA. Combination in Neoponera: Schmidt & Shattuck, 2014: 151.

Worker
The worker is a small (total length 7 mm) black ant with dark brown appendages. The mandible has approximately 14 teeth which alternate in size. The anterior margin of the clypeus is convex with a poorly developed medial lobe, which overhangs the anteclypeus. The head length is 1.75 mm; the head width is 1.55 mm. The malar carina is well defined. The maximum eye diameter is 0.5 mm and the eye is located less than one diameter from the anterior margin of the head. The scape (1.7 mm) extends slightly more than the first funicular segment past the posterior lateral corner of the head. The sides of the head are nearly straight and narrowed anteriorly, the posterior lateral corners are angulate and the posterior margin is concave. The pronotal carina is well developed and overhangs the side of the pronotum. The metanotal suture is not depressed on the dorsum of the mesosoma and is barely evident. The propodeal spiracle is slit-shaped. The anterior face of the petiole is vertical and straight, but at a point slightly more than one half of the height, it turns posteriorly and meets the posterior, broadly rounded face near the midpoint. The subpetiolar process consists of a small ventrally directed anterior angle, with the remainder of the process diminishing in width posteriorly. The anterior face of the postpetiole is vertical and meets the dorsal face at an obtuse angle. The stridulatory file is well developed on the second pretergite. The arolia are present, but only moderately developed.

Erect and suberect hairs are abundant on the clypeus, dorsal and ventral surfaces of the head, sides of the head and the posterior margin, the shaft of the scape and dorsum of the mesosoma, dorsum of the petiole, all surfaces of the gaster and all the parts of the legs. Appressed silver pubescence is present on the head, dorsum of the mesosoma, dorsum and posterior faces of the petiole and all surfaces of the gaster.

The mandibles are finely striate with scattered punctures and are weakly shining. The dorsum of the head and dorsum of the mesosoma are covered with dense fine punctures and are mostly dull; the side of the pronotum is weakly sculptured and moderately shining. The mesopleuron is sculptured, but weakly shining; the side of the propodeum is mostly covered with fine horizontal striae. All surfaces of the petiole are densely but finely punctate and weakly shining and the gaster is finely punctate and moderately shining.

Queen
Unknown for this species.

Male
Unknown for this species.

Type Material
Holotype worker (INBio, # INB0003207598) and one paratype worker (CWEM, # INB0003207503), COSTA RICA, Heredia: Est. Biol. La Selva, 5-150m,, INBio-OET; PROJECT ALAS, canopy fogging sample, 3-Nov-1994, FVK / 32 / 01-40 (holotype), 19 Oct-1994. FOT / 26/ 01-40 (paratype); additional paratypes from near Puerto Viejo, 19-26 June 1995, D. R. Perry; 3 k S Puerto Viejo,, 22.iii.1980, H. A. Hespenheide; Puerto Viejo, 15 May 1974, R. L. Jeanne (LACM).

Etymology
From Latin, ante meaning before and curvus meaning bent, referring to the bend on the apex of the petiole, which is found anterior to the midpoint.