Megalomyrmex staudingeri

Sparse specimen label information suggests this species inhabitats forests found at elevations between 300 - 1000 m.

Identification
Brandão (1990) - Within a series from Santo Antonio do Ica I found a gamergate with 3 ocelli, the flat mesonotum clearly separate from other tergites, petiolar node compressed and the gaster distinctly swollen. The specimen from Iquitos come from bromeliads intercepted at the Miami Airport. Some characters show intraspecific variation. They are: degree of striation around antennal sockets, propodeum shape and the median area of clypeus, wich can be shaped as a flat triangular plate. This condition is extreme at the types of variety described by Forel, but not exclusive.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru.

Nomenclature

 * . Megalomyrmex staudingeri Emery, 1890b: 47 (footnote, diagnosis in key) (w.) PERU.
 * Type-material: holotype worker.
 * Type-locality: Peru: Iquitos (no collector’s name).
 * Type-depository: MSNG.
 * Status as species: Dalla Torre, 1893: 71; Wheeler, W.M. 1909b: 237 (in key); Emery, 1922e: 190; Wheeler, W.M. 1925a: 34 (in key); Ettershank, 1966: 105; Kempf, 1972a: 140; Brandão, 1990b: 438 (redescription); Brandão, 1991: 355; Bolton, 1995b: 250; Brandão, 2003: 153; Bezděčková, et al. 2015: 118; Fernández & Serna, 2019: 807.
 * Senior synonym of nasutus: Brandão, 1990b: 438; Brandão, 1991: 355; Bolton, 1995b: 250.
 * Distribution: Brazil, Colombia, Peru.
 * nasutus. Megalomyrmex leoninus r. nasutus Forel, 1912g: 13 (w.) BRAZIL (Amazonas).
 * Type-material: syntype workers (number not stated).
 * Type-locality: Brazil: Santo Antonio de Iça (Ducke).
 * Type-depository: MHNG.
 * Status as species: Wheeler, W.M. 1909b: 237 (in key); Wheeler, W.M. 1925a: 34 (in key); Kempf, 1972a: 140.
 * Subspecies of leoninus: Emery, 1922e: 190; Borgmeier, 1927c: 100; Ettershank, 1966: 105.
 * Junior synonym of staudingeri: Brandão, 1990b: 438; Brandão, 1991: 355; Bolton, 1995b: 249.

Worker
Brandão (1990) - Mandibles smooth; anterior clypeal border straight with median denticle; 3-segmented antennal club; frontal suture impressed: 24 ocular facets at compound eye largest diameter; occipital margin raised; promesonotal suture generally not impressed dorsally, mesosternum and metasternum without developed acrotergites; dorsal face and declivity of propodeum meeting in a gentle angle, not forming lateral tubercles: dorsal face not transversally impressed; declivity smooth; epipetiolar carina complete; pedunculate petiole with anteroventral denticle originating a translucid longitudinal flange; dorsal margin of petiolar node, in side view, straight; petiolar spiracles laterally produced; dorsal margin of petiolar node, in frontal view, round; ventral face of postpetiole without process; apex of femura acuminate.

Color: deep-brown, almost black.

Type Material
Brandão (1990) - Type Loc.: Iquitos, Loreto, Peru (03°44'S, 73°12'W). Holotype at Museo Civico di Storia Naturale “Giacomo Doria”, Genova. Megalomyrmex leoninus nasutus Forel, 1912: 13. Type Loc.: Santo Antonio do Ica. AM, Brasil (03°05'S, 68°00'W). Nov. syn. (types examined - 2 workers at Museum de la Ville de Geneve).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Ettershank G. 1966. A generic revision of the world Myrmicinae related to Solenopsis and Pheidologeton (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Aust. J. Zool. 14: 73-171.
 * Fernández, F. and S. Sendoya. 2004. Lista de las hormigas neotropicales. Biota Colombiana Volume 5, Number 1.
 * Kempf, W.W. 1972. Catalago abreviado das formigas da regiao Neotropical (Hym. Formicidae) Studia Entomologica 15(1-4).