Lenomyrmex wardi

Specimens have been collected in rainforest leaf litter.

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

Nomenclature

 *  wardi. Lenomyrmex wardi Fernández & Palacio, 1999: 10, figs. 4-6 (w.q.) ECUADOR.

Worker
Holotype (paratypes, n = 6). TL: 3.30 (3.30–3.52); HL: 0.68 (0.68–0.72); HW: 0.58 (0.58); ML: 0.28 (0.28); SL: 0.49 (0.49–0.50); EL: 0.19 (0.19–0.20); WL: 0.94 (0.9–1.04); PL: 0.38 (0. 38–0.40); PW: 0.20 (0.18–0.20); PPL: 0.26 (0.26); PPW: 0.21 (0.21–0.22); GL: 0.76 (0.76–0.84); GW: 0.56 (0.56–0.63); CI: 0.85 (0.80–0.85); OI: 0.33 (0.33–0.34). Worker diagnosis. Similar to Lenomyrmex mandibularis, with the following differences. Mandibular peg-like denticles vary from 18 to 20. Eyes larger in proportion to head, with 6 or 7 facets in maximum diameter. Propodeal spines not so long, length less than distance between bases. Petiolar peduncle shorter; petiolar node more protruding and slightly more defined. Metapleuron and posterior mesopleuron rugo-reticulate. Striation of mesosomal dorsum more rough and irregular. Scape with some long suberect hairs toward apex in addition to short decumbent pilosite, shorter than maximum diameter of scape. Femora with scattered long erect hairs, in addition to decumbent pile. Integument in general more opaque than in Lenomyrmex mandibularis; head, mesosoma, petiole, postpetiole and gaster slightly clearer and reddish. Legs and scapes yellowish brown, clearer than in Lenomyrmex mandibularis. Dorsum of mandibles and antennal club whitish yellow.

Queen
Paratype. From the same locality as the holotype. Queen measurements. TL: 3.52; HL: 0.72; HW: 0.58; ML: 0.28; SL: 0.50; EL: 0.20; WL: 1.02; PL: 0.40; PW: 0.18; PPL: 0.26; PPW: 0.22; GL: 0.84; GW: 0.63; CI: 0.80; OI: 0.34. As the worker, with the following differences. Three ocelli present. Mesosoma robust. Mesopleural suture present. Dorsum of pronotum with weak, irregular striae laterally more defined. Mesoscutum with longitudinal rugulae. Axillae rugo-reticulate. Scutellum rugose anterad with some posterior transverse striae. Propodeum with transverse striae. Anepisternum with well defined longitudinal striation. Katepisternum with oblique striae. Metapleura with irregular striae. Pilosite most abundant on mesosoma and legs.

Type Material
Holotype worker. ECUADOR, Pichincha, Maquipucuna, 5 km ESE Nanegal, 17.viii.1991, 1500 m, 0°079N, 78°389W, Winkler sample (P.S. Ward no. 11503–10). Paratypes. One queen and 6 workers of the same locality. Deposited in MCZ (queen),, , , and ; 7 workers from Colombia, Nariño, Barbacoas, Río Ñambí, 1100–1300 m, 1-V-1995, F. Escobar leg. no. 204, deposited in, , , and.

Etymology
We have named this species in honour of our friend and colleague Dr Philip S. Ward. He kindly supplied the Lenomyrmex material from Panama and Ecuador for study, although he was aware some years ago that the specimens represented an undescribed genus.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Fernández, F. and S. Sendoya. 2004. Lista de las hormigas neotropicales. Biota Colombiana Volume 5, Number 1.