Acanthostichus flexuosus

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
A member of the serratulus species complex. Mackay (1996) - The male and worker are mounted on the same pin and are thus considered conspecific. The male of this species can be distinguished from others in the genus in that it is covered with abundant, long, flexuous hairs, the petiole is wider posteriorly and not greatly elongate. It is somewhat bicolored, with the head primarily light brown, darker around ocelli and at the frontal area; the scutellum is light brown with darker blotches at the anterior edge and two lateral edges, the scutellum and propodeum are dark brown, the gaster is light brown with the posterior edges of the terga darker.

The male of this species is completely different from those of any other species in the genus, due to the long, flexuous hairs, especially on the head and pronotum (Fig. 61). It is unlikely it could be confused with any other species. The worker, on the other hand, is apparently indistinguishable from that of Acanthostichus quadratus. The petiole and scape are identical to the type of A. quadratus. This species is apparently rare and is known only from the southern extreme of Brazil. Thus most specimens that fit the description will be the common A. quadratus. Those specimens collected in southern Brazil and the surrounding region will have to be treated as possibly belonging to this species. It is possible that it consists of a mixed species series, but both specimens are mounted on a single pin, making this unlikely.

Keys

 * Key to Acanthostichus workers
 * Key to Acanthostichus males

Distribution
Santa Catarina, Brazil.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Brazil.

Nomenclature

 * . Acanthostichus flexuosus Mackay, 1996: 151, fig. 61 (q.m.) BRAZIL (Santa Catarina).
 * Type-material: holotype male, 1 paratype worker.
 * Type-locality: holotype Brazil: Santa Catarina, Nova Teutonia, 19.iv.1964 (E.S. & C.E. Ross); paratype with same data.
 * Type-depository: MCZC.
 * Distribution: Brazil.

Male
HL 0.83. HW (posterior to eye) 0.91, SL 0.30, EL 0.41, WL l.96, PW 0.43, PL 0.48, SI 36, CI 111, PI 112. Mandible toothless (except for angle at apex); median anterior border of clypeus angulate; frontal carinae not covering insertions of antennae; eyes large, covering much of side of head; three ocelli large, diameter of median ocellus (0.12 m) slightly larger than diameters of other two; scape large, length about 6 times length of fIrst segment of funiculus; head round in shape (excluding mandibles), vertex slightly concave above ocelli; mesosoma more robust than other members of the genus; petiole elongate, anterior petiolar face rounded and concave on two lateral corners and narrowed posteriorly, thus petiolar node widest at about midpoint; gaster as in other members of the genus; genitalia have been removed and are not with the specimen. All surfaces covered with elongate (up to 0.25 mm), curved, golden hairs; dilute decumbent pubescence present on gaster. Sculpture smooth and polished throughout. Color golden brown, with darker blotches on head and dorsum of mesosoma.

Type Material
Holotype male and paratype worker mounted on the same pin, Brazil, Santa Catarina, Nova Teutonia, 19-iv-1964, E. S. and C. E. Ross (seen).

Etymology
From Latin, flexuosus meaning with many bends, referring to the setae of the male.