Azteca ovaticeps

Longino (2007) - The taxonomy and biology of A. ovaticeps is reviewed in Longino (1989a, 1991b). Azteca ovaticeps is an obligate Cecropia ant. Its biology is very similar to A. alfari, with which it is often locally sympatric. Azteca ovaticeps tends to be more abundant in mature forest areas, older second growth forest, and river banks in mature forest, while A. alfari becomes dominant in open and highly disturbed habitats, such as roadsides and agricultural areas. Azteca ovaticeps is more geographically variable than A. alfari and may be paraphyletic with respect to A. alfari (Longino 1989a, Ayala et al. 1996).

Identification
Longino (2007) - Azteca ovaticeps is distinguished from Azteca alfari as described above. Workers of A. ovaticeps may also be confused with workers of Azteca forelii. Mandibles of A. ovaticeps workers are smooth and shiny; mandibles of A. forelii workers are roughened and dull.

Distribution
Costa Rica to Amazonian Brazil and Bolivia.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela.

Biology
De Oliveira et al. (2015) studied Cecropia diversity and ant occupancy of Ceropia by ants in southwest Bahia, Brazil. Azteca ovaticeps was found in 25% (131 trees) of the Cecropia examined.

Nomenclature

 * aequilata. Azteca alfari var. aequilata Forel, 1904e: 691 (w.q.m.) BRAZIL. Junior synonym of ovaticeps: Longino, 1989: 8.
 *  ovaticeps. Azteca alfaroi var. ovaticeps Forel, 1904c: 44 (w.q.) BRAZIL. Raised to species and senior synonym of aequalis, aequilata, tuberosa: Longino, 1989: 8. See also: Longino, 2007: 42.
 * aequalis. Azteca alfari var. aequalis Forel, 1906d: 239 (w.) BRAZIL. Forel, 1908c: 387 (q.m.). Junior synonym of ovaticeps: Longino, 1989: 8.
 * tuberosa. Azteca alfari r. tuberosa Forel, 1906d: 240 (s.w.q.) BRAZIL. [Azteca alfari r. tuberosa Forel, 1905b: 159. Nomen nudum.] Junior synonym of ovaticeps: Longino, 1989: 8.

Worker
Longino (2007) - (n=5): HLA 1.16 (0.93–1.31), HW 1.02 (0.87–1.19), SL 0.71 (0.59–0.78), CI 92 (88–94), SI 61 (60–67).

Similar to Azteca alfari in almost all respects and not always distinguishable. In general A. ovaticeps is more setose, with a “scruffy” appearance on the mesosomal dorsum. There are always > 10 setae on the mesonotum, with median number about 20, and they are of irregular length. In contrast, A. alfari has a cleaner look, with fewer dorsal setae. There are 2–17 setae on the mesonotum, with median number 8, and they are of relatively more even length.

Queen
Longino (2007) - (n=11): HLA 1.60 (1.52–1.65), HW 1.34 (1.27–1.37), SL 0.81 (0.79–0.84), CI 83 (82–85), SI 51 (49–53).

Similar to Azteca alfari in almost all respects; differing as follows: fourth abdominal tergum with > 10 erect setae (rarely fewer), exclusive of posterior row (< 6 in A. alfari); dorsal surface of head, when viewed in profile, often with setae bridging the gap between the ocellar region and the upper vertex, and often with setae extending up from the clypeus almost to the ocellar region (these areas devoid of setae in A. alfari); scape relatively long (SI 49–54 versus 45–49 in A. alfari, Fig. 6C); color usually light red brown, A. alfari usually black.

Type Material
Longino (2007) - Syntype queens, workers: Brazil, Pará (Göldi), (examined).