Platythyrea strenua

The types were collected from a rotten log that was in close proximity to a termite colony.

Identification
Wheeler and Mann (1914): This is clearly distinct from any of the five known neotropical species of Platythyrea. It is larger and more robust than Platythyrea punctata Smith, Platythyrea meinerti Forel (= Platythyrea sinuata) and Platythyrea angusta Forel, darker in color than P. meinerti, which is brown and differs also in the shape of the petiole. P. strenua is also peculiar in lacking the coarse punctuation of P. angusta and P. punctata. From Platythyrea sinuata Roger it differs in lacking the mandibular teeth and from Platythyrea incerta Emery (= Platythyrea pilosula), which it resembles in size and in its more robust stature, it may be distinguished by the absence of coarse punctures on the head and mandibles, by the smaller frontal carinae, the more distinct frontal groove, etc.

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

Biology
Kugler (1977) noted the following about Platythyrea strenua: This species was described by Wheeler and Mann from material taken in a rotten log at Diquini, Haiti. No further records are known until two collections were made on the Sierra de Baoruco, Prov. Pedernales, Republica Dominicana during February 1975 by W. L. and D. E. Brown. The collections were both made from small colonies found under limestone slabs in pine forest (Pinus occidentalis) with some form of everlasting prominent in the understorey (Gnaphalium or a related species in Compositae: lnuleae) along the road from Cabo Rojo to the Alcoa bauxite mines. The first collection was made at Km 28, elevation about 1200 m, and the second at Km 33 (1500 m). Although special attention was paid to the rotten wood microhabitat in 3 weeks of intensive collecting all over the Dominican Republic, no P. strenua were found anywhere else in the country.

Nomenclature

 *  strenua. Platythyrea strenua Wheeler, W.M. & Mann, 1914: 6, fig. 1 (w.) HAITI.

Worker
Length 8-8.5 mm.

Body rather stout. Head subrectangular, excluding the mandibles less than 1.5 times as long as broad, with very feebly convex sides and very feebly concave posterior border. Eyes rather large and flat, nearly as long as their distance from the anterior border of the head and a little in front of the middle of its sides. Mandibles edentate, rather flat, their external borders very feebly concave near the tips. Clypeus flat, with broadly rounded anterior border, and indistinct posterior suture. Frontal area and frontal groove distinct, the former elliptical, about twice as long as broad. External borders of the flattened frontal carinae bluntly angular. Antennal scapes reaching to the posterior corners of the head; second and terminal funicular joints longer than broad, remaining joints as broad as long. Thorax unarmed, narrower than the head, broader in front than behind, with flattened sides and dorsal surface, so that the latter appears submarginate laterally. Epinotal declivity concave, forming a distinct angle in profile with the base and surrounded on the sides and above with a distinct ridge. Petiole sub cuboidal, from above but little longer than broad, as broad in front as behind, but narrower than the epinotum, its posterior border above and in the middle but slightly and very bluntly produced backward and very feebly, sinuately excised on each side. Gaster nearly twice as broad as the petiole, its first segment a little broader than long, the second as long as broad. Legs rather stout.

Body and appendages opaque, very finely and densely punctate, gaster slightly shining, sides of first gastric segment, mandibles and checks also with slightly larger, but by no means coarse punctures.

Hairs lacking, except on the tips of the mandibles and gaster and on the palpi, where they are very short. Pubescence very fine, yellowish gray, covering the body and its appendages with a uniform bloom.

Black; mandibles, clypeus, frontal carinae, antennae, tarsi and articulations of legs tinged with dull red; terminal gastric segments pale red.

Type Locality Information
Workers collected from Diquini, Haiti.