Eurhopalothrix alopeciosa

Known only from the types.

Identification
Longino (2013): This species is most similar to Eurhopalothrix pilulifera and Eurhopalothrix clypeata, sharing the small size; a similar arrangement and number of erect setae, these almost circular, nearly as broad as wide; and abundant ground pilosity that is strongly flattened and conspicuous. Eurhopalothrix clypeata has a transverse carina on the clypeus. Eurhopalothrix pilulifera has the propodeal spine in the form of a rectangular lamella extending down the posterior face of the propodeum (propodeal spine acute in E. alopeciosa, with narrow infradental lamella). Eurhopalothrix xibalba is larger and has thinner ground pilosity. Measurements for this species, from Brown and Kempf (1960), are HW 0.50–0.53, HL 0.52, SL 0.32, CI 96.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Ecuador, Trinidad and Tobago.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  alopeciosa. Eurhopalothrix alopeciosa Brown & Kempf, 1960: 206 (w.) TRINIDAD.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.0, HL 0.52, H W 0.50 (CI 96), scape L 0.32, greatest eye diameter about 0.02, WL 0.50 mm.

Combines characters of clypeata and pilulifera. Head shape as in clypeata, but the c1ypeus of the usual form, not transversely carinate (very feebly convex, with shallowly depressed anterior margin ). Pilosity of head arranged as in clypeata, except that a few small appressed hairs of the ground pilosity are scattered over the "bald space" occupied otherwise by the large specialized hairs. Clypeus set evenly with small squamiform hairs throughout, as are also the mandibles, dorsal scape surfaces, anterior half of head above and sides of occiput, and promesonotum, petiolar node, postpetiole and gastric dorsum. The ground pilosity is similar to that of pilulifera, but the individual ground hairs are more orbicular, larger and more abundant. The large specialized hairs are prevailingly subspherical or "pompon-like", relatively broader than those of clypeata and perhaps even of pilulifera, especially on gastric dorsum, where they form an irregular double row (4-5 pairs ) down the middle of the first tergite, the double row flanked on each side by 2 or 3 additional hairs representing vestigial longitudinal rows. The usual clavate or truncate hairs are present on the gastric apex, and the hair on each tibial apex is pompon-like.

Body form otherwise and color much as in Eurhopalothrix clypeata.

Type Material
Holotype a worker [NAW] from Trinidad, British West Indies (N. A. Weber leg., No. 162.2). A paratype worker [MCZ] from Maracas Valley, Trinidad, March 23, 1935 (Weber leg., No. 76), is similar to the holotype, but is somewhat damaged; it is a little larger than the holotype and has a relatively broader head: HW about 0.53 (CI about 101); WL 0.52 mm.



References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Brandao, C.R.F. 1991. Adendos ao catalogo abreviado das formigas da regiao neotropical (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Rev. Bras. Entomol. 35: 319-412.
 * Brown W. L., Jr., and W. W. Kempf. 1960. A world revision of the ant tribe Basicerotini. Stud. Entomol. (n.s.) 3: 161-250.
 * Fernández, F. and S. Sendoya. 2004. Lista de las hormigas neotropicales. Biota Colombiana Volume 5, Number 1.
 * Kempf W. W. 1975. Miscellaneous studies on neotropical ants. VI. (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Studia Entomologica 18: 341-380.
 * Kempf, W.W. 1972. Catalago abreviado das formigas da regiao Neotropical (Hym. Formicidae) Studia Entomologica 15(1-4).
 * Longino J. T. 2013. A review of the Central American and Caribbean species of the ant genus Eurhopalothrix Brown and Kempf, 1961 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), with a key to New World species. Zootaxa 3693(2): 101-151.
 * van der Hammen T., and P. S. Ward. 2005. Ants from the Ecoandes expeditions: diversity and distribution. Studies on Tropical Andean Ecosystems 6: 239-248.