Solenopsis lucayensis

Identification
A New World thief ant that is a member of the globularia species complex

Pacheco and Mackay (2013) – Worker - The worker is easily recognized by the large dilated postpetiole. It is distinguished from other members of the globularia complex by being concolorous pale yellow, with an eye of 12-15 ommatidia and appears to be monomorphic based on the material available.

Solenopsis lucayensis is recognized as a valid species. Further collection in the Bahamas or molecular analyses may show this to be a synonym (a color variant) of Solenopsis globularia, however based on the material examined, it appears to be monomorphic, consistently concolorous pale yellow, with workers that have 12-15 ommatidia for the eye; not 18-22 as seen with other forms of the globularia species complex. The mesopleuron and metapleuron are horizontally striated. Although the striae on the propodeum seem to be variable within this complex, it is consistently not visible on the dorsal portion of the side of the propodeum.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Bahamas.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  lucayensis. Solenopsis globularia subsp. lucayensis Wheeler, W.M. 1908a: 131, pl. 11, fig. 8 (w.) BAHAMAS. Raised to species: Pacheco & Mackay, 2013: 212.

Worker
Pacheco and Mackay (2013) - Measurements (n=5). TL 1.80-2.04 (1.90); HL 0.510-0.528 (0.513); HW 0.420; EL 0.072-0.078 (0.077); ED 0.054; SL 0.360; FSL 0.162-0.168 (0.166); CI 79.5-82.4 (81.8); SI 68.2-70.6 (70.1); PL 0.090; PW 0.150-0.162 (0.157); PI 55.6-60.0 (57.3); PPL 0.180; PPW 0.240-0.252 (0.242); PPI 71.4-75.0 (74.3); WL 0.360; PSL 0.030; PSW 0.030.

Moderately large; monomorphic; concolorous pale yellow; head subquadrate, sides convex, finely punctate; five lateral teeth present, angulate, including medial tooth; clypeal carinae well defined; scape reaches ¾ length of head; minor funicular segments 3-8 long (average 0.166 mm); eye large, 12-15 ommatidia; pronotum smooth and shiny; mesopleuron horizontally striated; notopropodeal suture well depressed; posterior edge of propodeum angulate; propodeal spiracle small, round; metapleuron horizontally striated; peduncle long at 0.720 mm; petiole smaller than postpetiole viewed laterally and dorsally, peduncle lacking tooth or flange ventrally; postpetiolar node greatly dilated, globose, postpetio1e lacking tooth or flange ventrally.

Abundantly hairy, pilosity pale yellow; erect hairs of various lengths (0.030-0.120 mm) on dorsum of head; erect and sub erect hairs of various lengths (0.036-0.150 mm) on dorsum of mesosoma, pointing in different directions.

Type Material
Bahamas Andros Island, May-June 1904, W. M. Wheeler ColI., M.C.Z. Cotype 1-15 20926 (lectotype worker [here designated] and 14 paralectotype workers ).