Pseudomyrmex reconditus

The type collection is from an Acacia collinsii plant. A single worker of Pseudomyrmex nigropilosus occurred in the same alcohol vial as the workers and queen of P. reconditus. It remains to be confirmed that P. reconditus is confined to nesting in swollen-thorn acacias.

Identification
Ward (1993) - Readily distinguished from all other acacia-associated species in the P. gracilis group by the combination of broad head (see CI values), robust petiole (PU 0.60-0.64), and black pilosity. Pseudomyrmex reconditus is similar to an undescribed Pseudomyrmex species collected from Tachigali in northern Peru (P. sp. PSW-35) but the latter has a shorter petiole, more extensive silvery-white pilosity and pubescence, and is all black in color.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Nicaragua.

Nomenclature

 *  reconditus. Pseudomyrmex reconditus Ward, 1993: 160, fig. 8 (w.q.) NICARAGUA.

Worker
Holotype and paratype measurements. HL 1.54, 1.44, HW 1.54, l .47, MFC 0.071, 0.056, EL 0.93, 0.86, PL 0.88, 0.78, PH 0.57, 0.47, CI 1.00, 1.02, OI 0.52, 0.52, REL 0.61, 0.59, REL2 0.61, 0.58, OOI -0.01, -0.01, VI 0.73, 0.71, FCI 0.046, 0.038, SI 0.47, 0.47, PI 0.44, 0.39, PDI 1.21, 1.12, MPI 0.067, 0.061, NI 0.62, 0.64, PLI 0.64, 0.60, PWI 0.57, 0.53, PPWI 1.40, 1.25.

With the traits of the P. gracilis group and the following more specific features. Head as broad as long; anterior margin of median clypeal lobe slightly convex, rounded laterally; pronotum with blunt dorsolateral margination; mesonotum more steeply inclined than basal face of propodeum; petiole of moderate length, high (PU 0.60-0.64), with a distinct anterior peduncle but without a well developed anteroventral tooth, and lacking sharp dorsolateral margination; postpetiole notably broader than long. Mandibles weakly striolate, sublucid, becoming shagreened basally; head and mesosoma densely but finely punctulate-coriarious to coriarious-imbricate, subopaque; petiole, postpetiole, and gaster with fine piligerous punctures, obscured from view by the associated pubescence. Standing pilosity only moderately dense but with some apparent loss due to abrasion of the type specimens; hairs mostly black, not silvery-white, present on the head, meso soma dorsum, petiole, and postpetiole; at least some moderately long (0.23-0.27 mm) hairs on the propodeum and petiole; one or two short hairs present on the outer faces of the meso- and meta-tibiae, the others possibly worn off; fine appressed golden pubescence present on most of the body. Head and mesosoma black, gaster dark brown, petiole and postpetiole orange; appendages brown, with orange flecking on the legs.

Queen
Paratype measurements. HL 1.79, HW 1.66, MFC 0.065, EL 1.02, PL l .21, PH 0.75, CI 0.92, OI 0.51, REL 0.57, REL2 0.62, OOI 0.22, VI 0.79, FCI 0.039, SI 0.45, FI 0.46, NI 0.61, PLI 0.62, PWI 0.61, PPWI 1.53.

Type Material
Holotype worker. NICARAGUA, Madriz: 2.0 mi. S Honduran border, Hwy 1, 840m, 29.vii.1967, mi. 8207.2, D. H. Janzen, ex Acacia collinsii.

Paratypes. One worker, one dealate queen, same data as holotype (LACM}.