Ochetomyrmex neopolitus

Limited biological information from specimen labels include a collection from cerrado, rainforest and wet forest habitat with individuals found at a bait and from litter sampling.

Identification
Fernández (2003) - Frontal carinae never surpassing the posterior level of eyes. Dorsum of head smooth and shining. Clypeus normally without rugulae. Ventral petiolar carinae as in Ochetomyrmex semipolitus.


 * Frontal carinae stretching posterad as fine rugulae and surpassing the posterior border of eye: frons with minute reticulate sculpture: clypeus normally with one or more fine longitudinal rugulae . . . . . Ochetomyrmex semipolitus


 * Frontal carinae never surpassing posterior margin of eye: head smooth and shining, devoid of microsculpture: clypeus normally smooth and shining . . . . . Ochetomyrmex neopolitus

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela.

Biology
These ants tend extrafloral nectaries on trees.

Nomenclature

 *  neopolitus. Ochetomyrmex neopolitus Fernández, 2003c: 643, figs. 1D-F, 1H-L (w.q.) COLOMBIA.

Worker
Holotype (Paratypes. N=51: HW 0.51 (0.50 - 0.541 HL 0.64 (0.56 - 0.54) SL 0.50 (0.41 - 0.48) EL 0.15 (0.13 – 0.14) WL 0.70 (0.59 - 0.68) TL 2.63 (2.30 - 2.69) CI 83 (88 - 89) SI 94 (79 – 88).

Head as broad as long, with convex sides and feebly convex to convex posterior border with medially impressed vestigial occipital border in full face view. Frontal carinae somewhat diverging caudally, terminating anterior of level of middle of eyes, but continuing further back by faint rugulae not reaching beyond the posterior border of orbit of eyes. Scapes nearly touching posterior border. Clypeus never with carinae or rugulae. Mandibles with four conspicuous teeth, subbasal smaller.

Four rows of erect setae over frons and vertex, occiput with one transverse row of 6-8 hairs, pronotum with two transverse rows, thee first with 4, the second with 2-4 setae, mesonotum with two pairs of setae, basal face of propodeum with a single pair, petiole and postpetiole each with three pairs. Most of head setae are more than 006 mm in length. Mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole brown: head, gaster and appendages darker. Body yellowish-brown.

Queen
HW 1.58 HL 1.38 SL 0.80 EL 0.38 WL 2.28 GL 2.5 TL 7.63 CI 114 SI 58.

As worker, and with typical modifications of myrmicine queens. Head broader than long. Posterior boarder of head slightly convex, the occipital corners slightly elevated over posterior border. Sides of head convex, narrowing anteriorly. Eyes not bulging. Antennae 11-segmented with club 3-segmented. Median apron of clypeus anteriorly subtruncate and subvertical, dorsal portion flat, laterally submarginate. Mandibles with two conspicuous apical teeth, remainder of masticatory border devoid of visible teeth. Mesopleurae divided by deep oblique groove. Propodeum angulate. Body opaque. Head with short rugulae around frontal lobes. Several large, shallow foveae over head, mesoscutum and metanotum, from each foveae arises a short, stiff hair. Two shorter setae on mandibles, each from the external border and near the base, and two short setae on clypeus. Honey yellow. Additional metrics and data in Kempf (1975:361).

Male
Not seen. Measured and described in Kempf (1975:361-362): "HW 1.25 HL 0.93 EL 0.48 WL 1.87 TL 5.9. Head nearly transversely rectangular, narrow rounded occipital corners bulging. Median apron or clypeus convex. Frontal carinae absent. Eyes huge. Masticatory border with four teeth. Palps 3.2. Mesoscutum without notaulices. Propodeal declivity face inferiorly carinated." Wings as in Figure 1J.

Type Material
Holotype worker. COLOMBIA: Caqueta. Parque Nacional Natural Los Picachos. 2°47'51”N 74°51'18”W. 1280-1350 m., manual col., 2.dec.1997. F. Escobar. Paratypes: BRAZIL: 5 w. Matto Grosso, Xingu, nov. 1961 Alvarenga & Werner legg. : 3 w. Porto Alegre, Trombetas River. PA. 1.aug. 1992. J.D. Majer No. 4552, ; 1 w. COLOMBIA: Amazonas.,Amacayacu National Park. Mata Mata Creek, 16.aug.2001. M. J. Sharkey leg. IAVH; 1 f. ECUADOR: Napo. Limoncocha. 00°24'S 76°36W, 280 m., l5.jul.l972. R. Chadab No. 99, Colony F-278 MZSP; 3 w. GUYANA: Roraima. Kauwa Creek, 18.august.1911. H.E. Crampton MZSP: 3 w. PERU: Madre de Dios. Cocha Cashu. 19°90'S 71°36'W, 23.sept.1999. ex sifted litter. D. W. Davidson : 9 w. Madre de Dios. Cocha Cashu, 19°90S 71°36W. sept.-oct.1984. D. W. Davidson S-28 LACM,, , , , : 4 w, SURINAM: Witi Kreek, Brownsberg Natuur Park. sept.1981. H. Heatwole No. 190 LACM.