Neoponera chyzeri

From Mackay and Mackay (2010): Males were collected in May (Colombia) and September (Perú).

Identification
From Mackay and Mackay (2010): The unusual shape of the petiole of N. chyzeri would separate this species from most of the others in the genus. Neoponera chyzeri could be confused with Neoponera fauveli, but differs in being larger (total length of N. fauveli is 12 mm) and has a few erect hairs on the scape (absent except possibly near the apex in N. fauveli). Neoponera chyzeri is similar to Neoponera solisi, but differs in having the eyes situated anteriorly on the head (placed in the middle of the side of the head in N. solisi), completely lacking the malar carina (present at least anteriorly on N. solisi), having the highest point in the middle of the apex of the petiole (at anterior edge in N. solisi) and having the posterior face of the petiole weakly punctate (smooth and glossy in N. solisi).

The worker of N. chyzeri is similar to those of two closely related species: Neoponera eleonorae and Neoponera fusca. Neoponera chyzeri differs from N. eleonorae in lacking the dense golden appressed pubescence. It differs from both of these species in having the highest point in the middle of the petiolar node, not near the posterior edge as in N. eleonorae and N. fusca.

Distribution
COLOMBIA, ECUADOR, PERU (Mackay and Mackay 2010)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Colombia.

Habitat
Specimens were collected in mountain rain forest at 1500 - 2000 m. (Mackay and Mackay 2010)

Nomenclature

 *  chyzeri. Euponera (Mesoponera) chyzeri Forel, 1907a: 5 (w.) COLOMBIA. Mackay & Mackay, 2010: 250 (q.). Combination in Mesoponera: Kempf, 1972a: 141; in Pachycondyla: Brown, in Bolton, 1995b: 304; in Neoponera: Schmidt & Shattuck, 2014: 151.

Worker
From Mackay and Mackay (2010): This is a large (total length 13 mm) black species with abundant appressed golden hairs. Most of the segments of the funiculus are rich brown; the tip may be slightly yellow. The anterior border of the clypeus is broadly convex. The scape extends approximately three funicular segments past the posterior lateral corner of the head. The eyes are relatively large (maximum diameter 0.55 mm), approximately the same length is a distance to the anterior edge of the head (side view). The malar carina is absent, but the pronotum is swollen and nearly forms a carina. The mesosoma is depressed at the metanotal suture, which breaks the surface of the dorsum. The petiole is characteristic in shape with the anterior and posterior faces being convex and broadly rounded and forming the highest point at the midpoint of the node. The posterior lateral surfaces nearly form a carina. The stridulatory file is absent on the second pretergite and the arolia are only slightly developed. Most surfaces have erect hairs as in most of the other species in the genus, including erect hairs on the shaft of the scape. The golden appressed pubescence is especially obvious on the dorsum of the head and dorsum of the gaster. Most surfaces are punctate and dull. The mandibles have a few fine striae and are weakly shining, the side of the mesosoma, especially that of the pronotum, is moderately shining.

Queen
From Mackay and Mackay (2010): The female (undescribed) is large (12 mm TL). The head length is 2.6 mm and the width is 2.55 mm. The eyes are large (0.75 mm), located 1 diameter from the anterior edge of the head (side view). The scape extends past the posterior lateral edge of the head by less than the first funicular segment. The posterior margin of the head is strongly concave and the posterior lateral corners are angulate. The propodeal spiracle is elongate; the petiole is similar to that of the worker and broadly rounded dorsally. Erect hairs (up to 0.5 mm) are abundant on all surfaces including the scapes and the legs. Appressed yellow pubescence is present on nearly all surfaces. Most surfaces are finely punctate and weakly shining.

Male
Males are not known for this species.

Type Material
Mackay and Mackay (2010) - Colombia: Valle del Cauca. Lectotype designated,.

Etymology
The species was named after Mr. Chyzer, possibly the collector of the type series. (not specified in the description nor on the label). (Mackay and Mackay 2010)

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bezdeckova K., P. Bedecka, and I. Machar. 2015. A checklist of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Peru. Zootaxa 4020 (1): 101–133.
 * Mackay, W.P. and E.E. MacKay. 2010. The systematics and biology of the New World ants of the genus Pachycondyla (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Edwin Mellen Press Lewiston, NY