Syscia augustae

This species is most commonly found in forests, usually in mesic areas. Nests are unorganized and individuals are found in the litter and under stones, or in branches imbedded in soil in moist habitats. These ants are rarely collected and are usually accidentally found when one is excavating the nest of another species. (Mackay and Mackay 2002)

Distribution
USA: AZ, TX; NM: we have no records, but it may occur in the state; Mexico: Nuevo Leon.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Nearctic Region: United States. Neotropical Region: Mexico.



Nomenclature

 *  augustae. Cerapachys (Parasyscia) augustae Wheeler, W.M. 1902d: 182, figs. 1, 2 (w.q.) U.S.A. Wheeler, W.M. 1903g: 206 (l.); Wheeler, G.C. 1950: 106 (l.); Smith, M.R. 1942b: 63 (m.).

Male
Smith (1942) - Male.-Length 3.2-3.5 mm.

Head measured through the eyes approximately 1.15 to 1.25 times as broad as long. Mandible well developed, masticatory border curved, ending in a long tooth, remainder of border toothless or with very minute teeth. Anterior border of c1ypeus with a median tooth or angular projection. Antennal fossa contiguous with posterior border of clypeus. Frontal carinae subparallel, not concealing articulations of antennal scapes. Clypeus broader than long. Eye large, very convex, placed near anterior border of head. Ocelli prominent, placed at summit of head. Posterior border of head round, meeting each side to form a rather distinct, subangular, posterior corner. Antenna 13-segmented; scape very slightly longer than combined length of first 2 funicular segments, funiculus gradually enlarging apically, segments robust, last funicular segment longer than combined length of the 2 preceding segments. Pronotum less than one-third as long as mesonotum, strongly inclined, but not concealed by mesonotum. Parapsidal sutures but no Mayrian furrows, the former seen only in certain lights. Front wing with a very large stigma, discoidal cell absent or present but without cubital or radial cell. Legs moderately long, tibial spurs pectinate, spurs on front and hind tibiae especially well developed. Anterior three-fifths of mesonotum convex in profile. Petiole non pedunculate, sybcylindrical in profile, slightly flattened above, approximately one and one third times as long as high. First gastric segment distinctly higher than long. Gaster subelliptical from above, with distinct constrictions between the segments. Sixth gastric tergite without an impressed area (pygidium). Seventh gastric sternite with a forked process, each fork slender, narrowed and curved apically, with the point directed slightly dorsad.

Body smooth and shining, with the following exceptions: Coarse rugulae between mesonotum and scutellum, and fine reticulae on side of scutellum, and on metanotum; a few scattered, piligerous punctures on the body, these especially noticeable on summit of head, mesonotum, and posterior part of dorsal surface of gaster.

Hairs moderately abundant, slender, grayish, unusually long at apex of gaster; row of hairs at posterior border of each gastric segment; pubescence rather dense and closely appressed on funiculus, apparently longer and less appressed on legs.

Rather uniform dark reddish brown; legs lighter.