Pseudomyrmex crudelis

Known only from Tachigali growing in the western foothills of the Amazon basin. Workers keep pseudococcids as well as brood in the Tachigali domatia, and they are as aggressive in the defense of their nest sites as species in the P. viduus group (Ward 1999).

Identification
Ward (1999) - Workers and queens of P. crudelis are distinguished from other species in the sericeus group by the combination of medium size (worker HW 1.00–1.13, queen HW 1.13–1.22), relatively narrow worker head, and broad, subtrapezoidal petiole (worker DPW/HW 0.39–0.42, queen DPW/HW 0.49–0.52). The mesonotum of the male has an unusual anteromedial protrusion, not seen in any other Pseudomyrmex species.

Distribution
This taxon was described from Peru.

Nomenclature

 *  crudelis. Pseudomyrmex crudelis Ward, 1999b: 516, figs. 45, 54, 63 (w.q.m.) PERU.

Worker
Measurements (n=10) HL 1.20–1.29, HW 1.00–1.13, MFC 0.024–0.053, LHT 0.81–0.93, CI 0.83–0.89, REL 0.59–0.62, REL2 0.68–0.73, FCI 0.02–0.05, FI 0.43–0.47, PLI 1.01–1.13, PWI 0.91–1.03.

A member of the sericeus group. Palp formula 6,4 (rarely 6p5,4). Frontal carinae moderately separated; eyes of short to medium length for the species group (see REL values). Head relatively elongate (CI < 0.90), the sides only weakly convex, the posterior margin slightly to moderately concave, in full-face view. Profemur moderately slender. Dorsal face of propodeum subequal in length to declivitous face, in profile the two faces meeting at a rounded angle. Petiole high and broad, with more or less differentiated anterior and dorsal faces, dorsal face rounding into steep posterior face. Anteroventral petiolar process prominent, with posteriorly-directed tooth. Standing pilosity sparse, typically one pair of long stout setae on the pronotal humeri, petiole and postpetiole, rarely on the propodeum. Dark brownish-black, the appendages lighter; mandibles, frontoclypeal complex and protibia yellowish-brown.

Type Material
Holotype worker. PERU, San Martın: 24 km NNE Tarapoto, 6°18'S, 76°16'W, 220 m, 23.viii.1986, ex Tachigali, P. S. Ward# 8705. HW 1.05, HL 1.24, EL 0.75, LHT 0.88, PL 0.45, PH 0.47.

Paratypes. Same data as holotype: series of workers queens, males (,, MCZC, , , , ).