Neoponera solisi

Nothing is known about the biology of this species.

Identification
From Mackay and Mackay (2010): Neoponera solisi could be confused with Neoponera chyzeri, but can be separated as the eyes are placed in the middle of the side of the head (more anteriorly in N. chyzeri), has a partially developed malar carina (completely lacking in N. chyzeri), having the highest point of the petiole near the anterior face (in the middle of the apex in N. chyzeri) and having the posterior face of the petiole completely smooth and glossy (weakly punctate in N. chyzeri).

Neoponera solisi is similar to Neoponera lineaticeps, but can be easily separated as the posterior face of the petiole of N. solisi is smooth and glossy, not rugulose as in N. lineaticeps (thanks to Jack Longino for pointing this out).

Distribution
COSTA RICA (Mackay and Mackay 2010)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Costa Rica.

Nomenclature

 *  solisi. Pachycondyla solisi Mackay & Mackay, 2010: 514, figs. 113, 253, 635-638 (w.q.) COSTA RICA. Combination in Neoponera: Schmidt & Shattuck, 2014: 151.

Worker
The worker is a moderately large (total length 13 mm) black ant. The mandibles have approximately 12 teeth, some of which are poorly defined. The head is 3.15 mm long and 3.0 mm wide. The sides of the head are convex and rounded and narrowed anteriorly. The posterior border of the head is concave. The anterior border of the clypeus is broadly convex but slightly concave medially. The eye is large (maximum diameter 0.9 mm) located about one diameter from the anterior margin of the head (side view). The malar carina is well developed but only extends about ⅔ of the length to the eye. The scape (3.0 mm) extends about two funicular segments past the posterior lateral corner. The pronotal carina is sharp and well developed and overhangs the side of the pronotum and forms an angle on the dorsum of the mesosoma. The metanotal suture is depressed on the dorsum of the mesosoma and breaks the sculpture. The propodeal spiracle is slit-shaped; the posterior lateral edges of the propodeum form a carina which is slightly crenulated. The anterior face of the petiole is nearly straight and vertical and meets the broadly rounded posterior face near the anterior edge of the apex. The subpetiolar process is poorly developed. The stridulatory file is developed on the second pretergite; the arolia are poorly developed. The metasternal process consists of two broad lobes.

Long (1 mm) erect hairs are present on the clypeus and the gaster, shorter (0.2 - 0.7 mm) erect hairs are present on the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the head, sides of the head, posterior margin, on the scapes, the dorsum of the mesosoma, dorsum of the petiole, all surfaces of the gaster and legs. Appressed pubescence is present on the head, dorsum of the mesosoma, sides of the propodeum and all surfaces of the gaster.

The mandibles are striate with scattered punctures and weakly shining, the dorsum of the head has longitudinal striae. The dorsum of the mesosoma has poorly developed striae, the sides of the mesosoma have weak striae and are moderately shining. The anterior face of the petiole has striae, the sides and posterior face are nearly free of sculpture and most of the petiole is smooth and glossy. The gaster is finely but densely punctate and weakly shining.

Queen
The female is a relatively large (total length 18 mm) black ant with reddish brown appendages. The mandible has about 11 teeth, the basalmost teeth are poorly defined. The anterior border of the clypeus is weakly convex and slightly concave medially. The head length is 3.76 mm; the head width is 3.58 mm. The head is narrowed anteriorly and strongly concave posteriorly. The malar carina is well developed and extends about ⅔ of the distance to the eye. The eye is large (maximum diameter 1.11 mm) located about one diameter from the anterior margin of the head (side view). The scape (3.36 mm) extends about the length of the first funicular segment past posterior lateral corner of the head. The median ocellus is 0.14 mm in diameter, located nearly two diameters from the lateral ocellus (oblique view from the side and above). The pronotal carina is sharp and well developed and overhangs the side of the pronotum. The propodeal spiracle is slit-shaped. The petiole is thick when viewed in profile with a straight anterior face and a broadly rounded posterior face, which meets the anterior face at the anterior edge. The subpetiolar process consists of a broad blunt anterior lobe, followed by a straight posterior process, which gradually diminishes in width. The anterior face of the postpetiole is vertical and rounds into the dorsal face.

Erect hairs are similar to those of the worker and are present on the same surfaces; the golden appressed pubescence is similar to that of the worker.

The dorsum of the head is covered with striae, which diverge posteriorly, the dorsum of the mesosoma is mostly punctate and moderately shining, the side of the pronotum is coriaceous and shining, the anepisternum is finely striate, the katepisternum is coriaceous, both surfaces are shining. The side of the propodeum is moderately shining. Most surfaces of the petiole are glossy and shining with a few transverse striae on the anterior face. The gaster is finely punctate and moderately shining.

Male
Males are not known for this species.

Type Material
COSTA RICA. Holotype worker ( # CR1000312327), one paratype worker ( # CR1000312343) and one paratype winged female ( # CR1000312328)

Etymology
This species is named in honor of our friend, the Costa Rican myrmecologist, Manuel Solís of the Institute for Biodiversity, who loaned us the type series as well as many other interesting ants.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * 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