Holcoponera bisulca

Occurs in mesic forested habitats. The localities suggest preference for relatively cool sites as the lowest altitudes are found at higher latitudes (10°N) and as latitude approaches the equator the localities ascend in altitude. (Lattke 1995)

Identification
A member of the strigata complex (in the strigata subgroup of the striatula species group). Longitudinal costulae on propodeal declivity, metacoxal spines hooked and triangular, not acicular; well defined transverse costulae on postpetiolar sternum; propodeal spiracle as low as surrounding sculpture, not raised. Within the strigata complex this species is unique due to the development of its metanotal groove, and within the striatula group two other species also show this character state. (Lattke 1995)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama.

Biology
Urcuqui et al. (2019) found Gnamptogenys bisulca to be a biological indicator of habitat quality in Andean montane forests and proposed to explain this characteristic by investigating its social structure and the spatial distribution of colonies at fine scale. In eight 100 m2 plots located in four forests in the western Colombian Andes, the position of G. bisulca colonies was recorded for spatial distribution and their social composition described: ergatoid females were found in most of the nests, isolated or together with normal queens. As ergatoids and queens were dissected to examine their reproductive status, it appeared that apparent polygyny represented, in fact, effective monogyny, with other potential reproductive females being unmated or inhibited. In the few cases of mixed colonies, a queen was always at the head of the colony. Local spatial distribution was random and did not fit the hypothesis of nesting by fission, as generally observed in the case of the presence of ergatoids. However, the social structure was significantly different according to the site, the most preserved forest showing no or rare ergatoids (but queens) compared to the other sites. Our results indicated that the presence of ergatoids in G. bisulca may help colonies to adapt to slightly disturbed habitat contexts.

Nomenclature

 *  bisulca. Gnamptogenys bisulca Kempf & Brown, 1968: 92 (w.) COLOMBIA. Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1971b: 1202 (l.).