Neoponera globularia

Little is known about the biology of this species beyond what can be gleaned from an eclectic set of specimen collection records.

Identification
From Mackay and Mackay (2010): Neoponera globularia is clearly a member of the crenata species complex, with the characteristic well-developed malar carina, pronotal carina and heavily and densely punctate head and dorsal surface of the pronotum. Neoponera globularia would be confused with Neoponera fiebrigi but can be separated from it and all of the other members of the crenata species complex by the circular petiolar node (when viewed from above). Jack Longino has referred to this species as JTL-013 (pers. comm.).

Distribution
Northern through central South America, Trinidad. (Mackay and Mackay 2010

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Bolivia.

Habitat
This species is found in primary and secondary rainforest and on windblown ridges at elevations ranging from 320 - 1040 m. Wild (2002) reports it from gallery forest, riparian forest and inundated low forest. (Mackay and Mackay 2010)

Biology
From Mackay and Mackay (2010): A nest in Trinidad was collected in a rotten stick on the forest floor. The specimens from near Manaus were collected on a new tree-fall. Specimens have been intercepted by the USDA on unspecified orchids (Colombia), on Cattleya [Orchidaceae] (Venezuela) and on bananas (3 collections, Ecuador). A winged female was collected in July (Venezuela), two dealate females were collected in July and August in Guyana. Specimens are occasionally collected foraging on vegetation and in malaise traps.

A specimen in the is infected with a Cordyceps unilateralis fungus. The type series is pinned with a specimen of Neoponera apicalis. The specimens from Ecuador were collected with the army ant Eciton rapax.

Nomenclature

 *  globularia. Pachycondyla globularia Mackay & Mackay, 2010: 358, figs. 69, 83, 84, 229, 483-487 (w.q.) BOLIVIA. Combination in Neoponera: Schmidt & Shattuck, 2014: 151.

Worker
The worker is a relatively large (total length 12 mm) reddish brown specimen. The mandible has approximately 14 teeth; the anterior border of the clypeus is broadly convex with a medial rounded lobe. The head length is 2.3 mm, the head width 2.1 mm. The malar carina is well developed and sharp, the eyes are large, (maximum diameter 0.55 mm) located about one diameter from the anterior margin of the head (side view). The scape is long (2.25 mm) and extends about ⅓ of its length past the posterior lateral corner of the head. The neck of the basal condyle of the scape is noticeably elongated and broadly rounded when viewed from above. The pronotal shoulder is formed into a sharp carina which overhangs the side of the pronotum. The promesonotal suture breaks the sculpture but the metanotal suture is barely marked on the dorsum of the mesosoma. The propodeal spiracle is slit-shaped. The petiole is very thick with parallel anterior and posterior faces and a well defined dorsal face. The petiole is nearly circular when viewed from above. The subpetiolar process is poorly developed.

Erect hairs (0.10 - 0.35 mm) are abundant on the mandibles, clypeus, dorsal and ventral surfaces of the head, dorsum of the mesosoma, dorsum of the petiole and all surfaces of the gaster, the hairs on the legs are mostly suberect. The scape has several erect hairs. Appressed pubescence is abundant on the dorsum of the head, the mesosoma, the dorsum of the petiole and all surfaces of the gaster.

The mandibles are finely striate with scattered punctures and weakly shining; the medial part of the clypeus has fine longitudinal striae; the head is densely and coarsely punctate. The dorsum of the mesosoma, especially the pronotum, is densely and coarsely punctate although the punctures are noticeably finer than those on the head. The side of the pronotum is nearly smooth and glossy; the remainder of the side of the mesosoma has fine striae and is moderately glossy. The petiole is coriaceous and moderately shining, especially the posterior face. The gaster is finely punctate or coriaceous.

Queen
The female is slightly larger (total length 14.5 mm) than the worker. The mandibles and the clypeus are similar to those of the worker. The head length is 2.35 mm; the head width is 2.04 mm. The malar carina is well developed and the eyes large (maximum diameter 0.6 mm) located less than 1 diameter from the anterior margin of the head (side view). The ocelli are small (maximum diameter of the medial ocellus 0.1 mm, located nearly three diameters from the lateral ocellus). The pronotal carina is well developed and sharp and overhangs the side of the pronotum. The propodeal spiracle is slit-shaped. The shape of the petiole is similar to that of the worker and nearly circular in shape when seen from above.

The pilosity and sculpture are similar to those of the worker.

Male
Males are not known for this species.

Type Material
HuachiBeni, Bolivia. Holotype worker, 6 paratype workers , 1 paratype dealate female

Etymology
From Latin, globosus, meaning spherical, referring to the shape of the petiolar node when viewed from above.