Ocymyrmex flavescens

Identification
Its closest relatives include Ocymyrmex afradu and Ocymyrmex kahas. kahas and flavescens have the gaster yellowish, afradu has the gaster black; kahas and flavescens have the petiolar peduncle longer than the node whilst afradu has the node slightly longer than the peduncle. In full-face view the occipital margin is more strongly indented medially in afradu and flavescens than in kahas, and in afradu the petiole node is long, low and subclavate in profile. (Bolton 1981)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Namibia.

Nomenclature

 *  flavescens. Ocymyrmex barbiger var. flavescens Stitz, 1923: 147 (w.) NAMIBIA. Junior synonym of barbiger: Bolton, 1981b: 265. Revived from synonymy and raised to species: Bolton & Marsh, 1989: 1294.

Worker
TL 5.2, HL 1.32, HW 1.24, CI 94, SL 1.20, SI 97, PW 0.78, AL 1.50.

Clypeus with a small median impression which is flanked by a rounded prominence of the lamellate anterior clypeal margin on each side, rather than being flanked by a pair of teeth. Lamellate anterior margin of clypeus very broad and conspicuous. In full-face view the eyes just intersect the outline of the sides of the head. Propodeal dorsum in profile rounds broadly and evenly into the declivity, the latter a long sloping surface which is by no means vertical. Petiole node in profile low and shallowly convex, the node itself distinctly separated from the anterior peduncle; entire petiole not elongate-claviform. Postpetiolar sternite ventrally broad and very shallowly evenly transversely concave, almost flat across its width, without a median longitudinal groove. In profile both the first gastral tergite and sternite convex from their articulation with the postpetiole. In dorsal view the postpetiole-gastral articulation broad and the first tergite without a basal constriction or neck. Head to level of eyes densely and regularly, but only faintly to superficially, longitudinally costulate. The spaces between the costulae have weak superficial ground-sculpture. Behind the level of the eyes the costulae become fainter than in front of them and tend to fade out entirely close to the occipital margin. Dorsolaterally on the head the ground-sculpture becomes more obvious, and mesad of the inner margins of the eyes it appears as lines of weak reticulation or punctation separated by narrow costular walls. Sculpture of pronotal dorsum very faint, vestigial in places. Mesonotum and propodeal dorsum transversely weakly rugulose. Ventral surface of petiole node with transverse short rugae, but sides and dorsum of petiole, and entirety of post petiole, faintly superficially reticulate only. All dorsal surfaces of head and body with standing hairs, but these are not strikingly dense and may be abraded in the syntype. First gastral tergite with several elevated hairs, which are about equal in length to those on the propodeum. Colour entirely yellow.

Type Material
Syntype worker, Namibia: Okaputa, 5. v .1911 (w. Michaelsen) [examined].