Carebara intermedia

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Fernández (2004) - This species is very interesting, and maybe not a member of the escherischi species complex. What first is apparent is the deep and well-marked groove between the propodeum and the rest of the mesosoma. In the rest of the escherischi group, the mesosoma is continuous and the metanotal groove barely impressed. Another characteristic is related to the head and mesosomal sculpturing. In intermedia, this is densely reticulate, while in the escherischi group it is densely foveolate. Nevertheless, characteristics such as the mandibular configuration, the head profile in frontal view, reduced eyes, and pilosity align this species to the escherischi complex. The propodeal lobes are highly developed and have an angulation in the superior part (best seen in oblique dorsal view), but this may be a characteristic within the range of variability in the complex. The name, intermedia, itself alludes to the fact that this species is reminiscent of others within the genus, such as Carebara urichi or Carebara eidmanni [now = Carebara urichi) (with well-impressed metanotal groove). As has been pointed out several times previously, only a global revision of Carebara may define clearly the infrageneric groupings that will indicate how to place unusual species such as those described here.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico.

Nomenclature

 *  intermedia. Carebara intermedia Fernández, 2004a: 232 (w.) BELIZE.

Worker
Holotype: HW 0.28; HL 0.33; SL 0.18; PW 0.19; WL 0.26; GL 0.23; TL 1.02; CI 85; SI 64.

Eyes reduced to 1 ommatidium. Promesonotum slightly convex in dorsal view, separated from propodeum by clear constriction. Propodeal lobes wide, conspicuous, they upper end clearly angulated in dorsal oblique view. Petiolar peduncle short. Head, thorax (including propodeal lamellae) and petiole densely reticulated; postpetiole and gaster smooth and shining. All body with curved pubescence, denser on head and thorax, less on petiole, postpetiole and gaster. Body with the following standing hairs: four in the clypeal area; two in each side of head, close to occipital corners, 8 on promesonotum, none on propodeum, none on legs; two on petiole, two on the postpetiole, several on first tergal dorsum of gaster. Body yellowish brown.

Type Material
Holotype worker. BELICE. Chiquibul Forest Reserve, Las Cuevas, 5-8 Nov 1997, J. Beard & L. Tarel, deposited in. Paratype. 1 worker, same data as type,.