Holcoponera haytiana

Taken from forest and coffee plantation leaf litter. The dramatic deforestation of Hispaniola has considerably reduced the range of this species (Lattke 1995).

Identification
A member of the haytiana complex (in the strigata subgroup of the striatula species group). On account of the yellowish color, more pronounced curvature of the second gastric segment and different sculpture, this species is outstanding amongst the other members of its species complex. It is possible that it represents an independent development from the strigata complex.

Distribution
Endemic to Hispaniola.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Dominican Republic, Greater Antilles, Haiti.

Nomenclature

 *  haytiana. Spaniopone haytiana Wheeler, W.M. & Mann, 1914: 11, fig. 4 (w.) HAITI. Combination in Gnamptogenys: Brown, 1958g: 228. See also: Lattke, 1995: 170.

Lattke (1995): Diagnosis - Petiole node disciform, with anterior and posterior faces more or less parallel to one another, dorsal and lateral nodal faces with transverse rugulae; metanotal groove barely impressed; propodeal spiracles mounted on turrets at mid-height of the lateral edge of declivitous propodeal face.

Worker
Length 2.5 mm.

Head subrectangular, about one-third again as long as broad, as broad in front as behind, with feebly convex sides and feebly and broadly excised posterior border. Mandibles with straight external and apical borders, the latter passing into the basal border through a distinct though rounded angle. Clypeus convex. Antennal scapes more than half as long as the funiculi, not reaching the posterior corners of the head. Pronotum with rounded humeri, rather flat above, somewhat broader than long, mesonotum twice as broad as long. Epinotum from above slightly broader than long, in profile with the base short and passing rather abruptly through a rounded angle into the longer declivity. Petiole from above as broad as the epinotum, fully twice as broad as long, with rounded dorsal surface, subpedunculate in profile; its anterior slope is long and flattened, its summit rounded and its declivity very short. On the ventral side it bears a blunt tooth at its anterior border. First gastric segment as long as broad, with a small transverse swelling on its ventral surface near the anterior edge. Legs rather slender.

Body opaque; mandibles, second and succeeding gastric segments shining; mandibles coarsely striato-punctate. Head delicately longitudinally rugulose; thorax, petiole and first gastric segment very finely punctate and indistinctly rugulose; first and second gastric segment very finely, transversely striated.

Hairs whitish, fine, rather abundant, sub erect on the body, shorter and more appressed on the legs.

Color brownish yellow; mandibles slightly reddish, with black apical borders. The second and succeeding gastric segments and the legs slightly paler, the funiculi darker.

Type Material
Described from a single specimen taken in the mountains north of Jacmel on a moist hill-side beneath a fallen banana stalk. Lattke (1995) reported examining the holotype in the.