Eurhopalothrix reichenspergeri

Worker
Chaul (2022) - Ventral row of 3 spiniform teeth ventrad the main row of triangular teeth; labrum apical portion dorsally flexed, labral lobes relatively long; dorsal mesosoma outline without level break between promesonotum and dorsum of propodeum; propodeal spines well developed; nine pairs of erect specialized setae on head, four on promesonotum and six on first gaster tergite; HW 0.78–0.88. Similar to Eurhopalothrix gravis and Eurhopalothrix xibalba.

Characters justifying the separation of E. gravis from E. reichenspergeri were provided above and are illustrated (Table 1, Figs. 1 and 2, E. xibalba also included for comparison). The lectotype of E. reichenspergeri (Fig. 9) from the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, is not in optimal preservation, but the diagnostic characters are evident and it could be matched satisfactorily with the workers from Minas Gerais.

An uncommon state for E. gravis was observed in one specimen (Fig. 1, D, red circle). It has an additional mesosomal standing seta that was considered an exception and not representing the common state for the species. The seta is too close to the posterolateral promesonotal seta; usually when Eurhopalothrix species have two pairs of setae on the posterior half of promesonotum (the corresponding mesonotal area), the anterior pair is located more anteriorly than what was observed in that specimen. The presence of this anomalous seta shows the importance of determining not only the number of pairs, but their exact position of origin on the sclerite surface.

Male
Mandible with 3–4 teeth. Scape anterior margin convex. Compound eyes strongly bulging. Propodeal lamella thin and opaque, at most slightly lighter in coloration than mesosoma. Petiole node dorsal surface reticulate and not delimited by transverse carina posteriorly.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Brazil.

Nomenclature

 * . Rhopalothrix reichenspergeri Santschi, 1923g: 1263 (w.) BRAZIL.
 * Combination in Octostruma: Brown, 1949f: 92.
 * Junior synonym of gravis: Brown & Kempf, 1960: 211.
 * Status as species: Chaul, 2022: 10.

Type Material

 * Lectotype worker: Brazil, SC, Blumenau (Reichensperg) [NHMB, unique specimen identifier CASENT0912537].
 * Paralectotypes, 2 workers: same data as lectotype [NHMB].