Ocymyrmex laticeps

Identification
Bolton (1981) - laticeps Smaller species, HW 1.70-1.74, SL 1.56, PW 1.08-1.14. Head slightly broader than long, CI 102-103. Metapleural lobes vestigial, scarcely or not visible in absolute profile. Anterior half of propodeal dorsum sloping downwards, posterior half more or less level. Petiole node in profile with a short, narrowly rounded dorsum. Postpetiole longer than broad in dorsal view.

cursor - Larger species, HW 2.04, SL 1.94, PW 1.30. Head slightly longer than broad, CI 98. Metapleural lobes large, conspicuous in absolute profile. Anterior half of propodeal dorsum shallowly concave, posterior half rising and shallowly convex. Petiole node in profile with an elongate, almost flat dorsum. Postpetiole broader than long in dorsal view.

Sculpture in the two species is very similar and they also share the characters of lacking a semicircular clypeal impression and possessing a broad ventral process on the peduncle of the petiole. Five other known species do not have a semicircular impression in the middle of the anterior clypeal margin, Ocymyrmex cavatodorsatus, Ocymyrmex velox, Ocymyrmex ankhu, Ocymyrmex zekhem and Ocymyrmex turneri, but none of these has the strongly developed constriction of the first gastral tergite seen in laticeps and cursor, and all lack a subpetiolar process. Apart from this turner; is small (HW < 1.30) and has large eyes which break the outline of the sides in full-face view; velox has a high, strongly convex petiole node and very feeble cephalic sculpture; and cavatodorsatus has the alitrunk strongly saddle-shaped in profile and the posterior half of the cephalic dorsum unsculptured.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Angola.

Nomenclature

 *  laticeps. Ocymyrmex laticeps Forel, 1901d: 306 (w.) ANGOLA. [Also described as new by Forel, 1903e: 561.] See also: Bolton, 1981b: 271.