Leptanilloides amazonus

This species was collected in a soil sample in a forest reserve of tropical lowland primary forest near Manaus, Brazil.

Identification
The combination of head shape in full-face view, the flat dorsum of the trunk and the presence of a clearly defined declivity of the propodeum is unique for A. amazona.

Key to Asphinctanilloides workers

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Brazil.

Nomenclature

 *  amazona. Asphinctanilloides amazona Brandão, Diniz, Agosti & Delabie, 1999: 31, figs. 9, 10, 18, 25, 36-39, 68-74 (w.) BRAZIL.

Description
Two MZUSP paratypes (in mm): HL 0.35–0.35, HW 0.27–0.28, SL 0.16–0.17, WL 0.41–0.46, CI 76–79, SI 57–59, SRI 104.

The combination of head shape in full-face view, the flat dorsum of the trunk and the presence of a clearly defined declivity of the propodeum is unique for A. amazona Other relevant characters include: head in full-face view with parallel sides and emarginate occiput; blunt teeth on genae produced; dorsal outline of alitrunk, in lateral view, straight, continuous, not interrupted by the promesonotal suture and metanotal groove which are present; relatively small body size (WL, 0.41 mm); dorsum of propodeum distinct from declivity; postpetiole ventral process bulging, large and rounded anteriorly. Venom apparatus: spiracular plate posterodorsal corner strongly tuberculate, prominent; quadrate plate anterodorsal corner with acute apex; anal plate as a very much attenuate triangle at apex; oblong plate weakly sclerotized, its limits weakly visible, postincision absent, ventral arm of the apodema indistinct of the remains of the plate; fulcral arm absent; gonostylus with about twenty sensillae and two long cheatae; furcula, with wing shaped projections long, parallel, sclerotized and linked to the median region of the furcula only at their basal region, lateral arms absent; sting with triangular bulb, basal ridge not visible, probably fused to the furcula; anterolateral process anterior and similar in size to the articular process, and articular process short at the basal region of the sting bulb.

Type Material
Holotype worker deposited at. BRAZIL, Amazonas, 4832, c. 70 km N of Manaus, Fazenda Esteio, Reserva 1202 (02°24’50”S, 59°52’11”W), ZF 23 Road, km 28. Projeto Dinamica Biologica de Fragmentos Florestais, INPA/Smithsonian, 12.xi.1993, soil sample M14. A. B. Casimiro col # 1003. Seven paratype workers (same series as holotype) deposited at, , CEPLAC, and MZUSP (two dissected preserved on slide).

Etymology
Amazona, a noun in apposition, related to the legendary female warriors, so named by the Spaniards, who believed they inhabited the shores of the River Amazonas.