Pseudomyrmex spinicola

A common acacia-ant.

Identification
Ward (1989) - Workers of which are distinguished from those of the more northerly species, Pseudomyrmex ferrugineus, by the following traits: median clypeal lobe with a concave anterior margin and with lateral angles or teeth; frontal carinae more closely contiguous and median lobes of antennal sclerites correspondingly more exposed; frons with more extensive shiny interspaces between the punctures; propodeal spiracles more salient in dorsal view; petiole longer, with a tendency towards more pronounced posterolateral angles in dorsal view.

Distribution
Ranging from Honduras to Colombia

This taxon was described from Costa Rica.

Nomenclature

 *  spinicola. Pseudomyrma spinicola Emery, 1890b: 64, pl. 6, fig. 2 (w.q.m.) COSTA RICA. [Also described as new by Emery, 1894k: 52.] Combination in P. (Triangulinoda): Enzmann, E.V. 1944: 61; in Pseudomyrmex: Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1956: 386. Senior synonym of atrox, gaigei, infernalis Wheeler (and its junior synonym infernalis Enzmann), scelerosa Wheeler (and its junior synonym scelerosa Enzmann): Ward, 1993: 149.
 * atrox. Pseudomyrma spinicola r. atrox Forel, 1912g: 24 (w.) PANAMA. Combination in Pseudomyrmex: Kempf, 1972a: 224. Junior synonym of spinicola: Ward, 1993: 149.
 * gaigei. Pseudomyrma spinicola r. gaigei Forel, 1914c: 615 (w.) COLOMBIA. Combination in Pseudomyrmex: Kempf, 1972a: 224. Junior synonym of spinicola: Ward, 1993: 150.
 * infernalis. Pseudomyrma spinicola subsp. infernalis Wheeler, W.M. 1942: 180 (w.q.m.) PANAMA. Combination in Pseudomyrmex: Kempf, 1972a: 224. Senior synonym of infernalis Enzmann: Brown, 1949a: 43. Junior synonym of spinicola: Ward, 1993: 150.
 * scelerosa. Pseudomyrma spinicola subsp. scelerosa Wheeler, W.M. 1942: 181 (w.) NICARAGUA. Combination in Pseudomyrmex: Kempf, 1972a: 224. Senior synonym of scelerosa Enzmann: Brown, 1949a: 43. Junior synonym of spinicola: Ward, 1993: 150.
 * infernalis. Pseudomyrma spinolae var. infernalis Enzmann, E.V. 1944: 91 (w.q.m.) PANAMA. [The name spinolae is a misspelling of spinicola.] [Unresolved junior primary homonym of infernalis Wheeler, above.] Junior synonym of infernalis Wheeler: Brown, 1949a: 43.
 * scelerosa. Pseudomyrma spinolae var. scelerosa Enzmann, E.V. 1944: 91 (w.) NICARAGUA. [The name spinolae is a misspelling of spinicola.] [Unresolved junior primary homonym of sclerosa Wheeler, above.] Junior synonym of scelerosa Wheeler: Brown, 1949a: 43.

Ward (1989) - Most of the forms described as subspecies or varieties of P. spinicola are probably conspecific with it (with the exception of P. convarians (Forel)), but I refrain from proposing formal synonymy until the variation is better understood.

Type Material
Ward (1989) - Syntype workers, queens, males, Alajuela, Costa Rica (Alfaro) [Examined]. One worker here designated LECTOTYPE.