Megalomyrmex cuatiara

All that is known about the biology of this species is that some of the types were collected from Berlesate samples and from forest litter.

Identification
Brandão (1990) - M. cuatiara, could have been assigned to the Pusillus group by the head shape and relative size of compound eyes. I prefered, however, to include it in this group by the shape of the antennal club segments and that of the petiolar and postpetiolar nodes.

This species can be easily distinguished from all other of the Silvestrii group by the rugosities covering entirely the metanotal groove and in part the katepistemum. Also the clypeal shield is not depressed.

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

Biology
Brandão (2003) - M. cuatiara was described from the Colombian Amazon (Bolivar, Putumayo and Meta provinces); I have recently received from INPA two series with four and three workers respectively, both collected in Manaus by A.B. Casemiro in October 20, 1993 (A3”, # 4832 – Rs 2108), and in November 10, 1993 (N9”, # 4832 – Rs 1202). Although there is no indication in the labels, Casimiro often collected ants sifting superficial soil and leaf litter samples, what can partially explain why this rather distinctive species has never been recorded before in Manaus – a place visited already by many ant specialists that traditionally collected mostly manually. These are the first non-Colombian records for M. cuatiara.

Nomenclature

 *  cuatiara. Megalomyrmex cuatiara Brandão, 1990: 440, figs. 93, 94, 103 (w.q.) COLOMBIA.

Worker
Mandibles smooth, dental formula 2 + 5 (irregular denticles); palpal formula 3:2; anterior clypeal border without median denticle or depression; 8-11 ocular facets at largest diameter of compound eye, which occupy more than 1/3 of head lateral margins in full face view, interrupting head profile; occipital margin not raised: promesonotal suture not impressed dorsally; katepisternum with gross longitudinally oriented rugosities; metanotal groove rugose at dorsal region; propodeum dorsal profile continuous; declivity with concentric rugosities over the foramem; epipetiolar carina complete; dorsal margin of petiolar node, in side view, concave; ventral face of petiole with transversal rugosities but no denticle or flange; ventral process of postpetiole globose.

Pilosity: very long hairs (ca. .2 mm) at body dorsum, smaller hairs (less than 1mm) at scapes and legs. Funiculus with short and apressed pubescence.

Color: bright yellow.

Queen
Three equally developed ocelli; mesonotum with parapsidal sutures but no notaulus; katepistemum smooth; ventral face of petiole with anteromediam denticle.

Type Material
Type Loc.: 7 Km NW Leticia, Bolivar. Colombia (04°09'S, 69°57'W) (Holotype and paratype); Villagarzon, Putumayo, Colombia (01°02'N, 76°37'W) (15 paratypes): Villavicencio, Meta, Colombia (04°10'N, 73°37'W) (4 paratypes); Quebrada Susamuko, 23 Km NW Villavicencio, Meta, Colombia (1 paratype). Holotype (workers) and paratype (workers) from Leticia, 1 paratype (worker) from Quebrada Susamuko, 2 paratypes (workers) from Villavicencio and 6 paratypes (l queen, 5 workers) from Villagarzon at Museu de Zoologia da USP; 2 Paratypes (workers) from Villavicencio and 3 paratypes (workers) from Villagarzon at the Museum of Comparative Zoology; 6 paratypes (workers) from Villagarzon at the British Museum.

The types from Leticia have been collected by the Peck couple from Berlesate samples (collection no. 25) between 20 and 25 of February, 1972. The same collected the types from Villavicencio and Quebrada Susamuko, respectively collection numbers 233 (“forest litter”) in 1 - 4, March, 1972 and 234 in, March, 5, 1972. The sample from Villagarzon has been collected by C. Jackson and bears locality labels with two different collection dates (August, 14, 1977 and March, 24, 1977). Both workers and queen from this locality have maximum values in the species variation range in all measured characters.

Etymology
The name cuatiara in Tupi refers to the rugosity covering entirely the metanotal groove and in part the katepistemum.