Novomessor ensifer

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Mexico.

Nomenclature

 *  ensifera. Aphaenogaster (Ischnomyrmex) ensifera Forel, 1899c: 59 (w.) MEXICO. Combination in Aphaenogaster (Deromyrma): Emery, 1915d: 71. Senior synonym of manni: Brown, 1974b: 46.
 * manni. Novomessor manni Wheeler, W.M. & Creighton, 1934: 353, pl. 1, fig. 2 (w.) MEXICO. Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1960b: 10 (l.). Junior synonym of ensifera: Brown, 1974b: 46.

Worker
Wheeler and Creighton (1934) as Novomessor manni - Length 10 mm.

Head, exclusive of the mandibles, slightly less than twice as long as broad, widest just behind the eyes, the sides of the anterior half straight and only slightly tapering inward from the eye to the insertion of the mandibles; posterior to the eyes they are feebly convex and converge sharply toward the occiput where they form a flanged collar similar to that in certain species of Aphaenogaster (arancoides etc.). Clypeus rather flat above, truncate anteriorly with the lateral edges feebly arcuate. Mandibles large, triangular, with three apical teeth, the innermost tooth notably smaller and more obtuse than the other two, the remainder of the masticatory margin irregularly serrate but without definite denticles. Eyes prominent, strongly convex, subcircular in outline, placed slightly in front of the middle of the head. Frontal carinae well developed, strongly divergent anteriorly, parallel behind. Frontal area well defined, slightly but clearly depressed. Antennal scapes feebly curved, their thickness evenly increasing from base to tip. In repose they surpass the occipital margin by a distance equal to one quarter of their entire length. Funiculus filiform, the first joint much longer than any of the succeeding joints, which notably decrease in length though only slightly increasing in thickness from base to apex.

Thorax without sutures. Seen from above the pronotum is campanulate and twice as wide as the immediately adjacent portion of the mesonotum. Sides of the mesonotum moderately divergent behind, slightly wider than the epinotum, the latter narrowed in front but rectangular behind. Seen in profile the promesonotum forms a single feeble and somewhat irregular convexity, the epinotum is flat throughout except for an anterior sinuosity where it joins the mesonotum. Epinotal spines long, their apical two-thirds slender, their bases somewhat thickened. Seen in profile they are virtually straight and almost parallel with the dorsum of the epinotum. Seen from above they are feebly divergent and slightly curved inward, with their thickened bases set close together.

Node of the petiole in profile low and evenly rounded above, its anterior face meeting the thick and tapering anterior peduncle in a well-marked angle, its posterior face confluent with the short posterior peduncle. Postpetiole in profile much narrowed in front, the dorsum feebly convex, the ventral surface straight in its anterior half and feebly sinuate behind. Seen from above the node of the petiole is sub oval, scarcely wider than the peduncle, and less than half as wide as the pyriform postpetiole. Gaster large, oval.

Head and thorax ferruginous; petiolar nodes, epinotal spines, and legs clear yellowish red; antennal scapes and to a lesser extent the funiculi sordid, reddish brown; abdomen piceous brown. Mandibles shining, with feeble striae and numerous, coarse, piligerous punctures. Clypeus with a few, coarse, longitudinal striae which converge at its anterior edge. Head with numerous, coarse, wavy rugae extending diagonally from the genae across the front and uniting to form continuous, sharp, transverse rugae on the vertex. Area just behind the frontal carinae with longitudinal rugae. The spaces between them on the front and vertex are granulose, giving this portion of the head a duller appearance than elsewhere. Entire thorax strongly shining, the pronotum feebly shagreened; mesonotum and epinotum with prominent transverse rugae. Area between the base of the epinotal spines smooth. Petiole and postpetiole finely granulose, dull. Gaster smooth and very shining with sparse and minute, piligerous punctures. Hairs golden, sparse, short, stout, erect, or suberect; virtually absent on the mesonotum and epinotum, no longer on the under surface of the head than elsewhere. Tarsi and scapes covered with numerous rather fine, sub erect hairs; funiculi pubescent.

Type Material
Novomessor manni type - Described from a single worker taken by Dr. W. M. Mann at Colima, Mexico.