Megalomyrmex caete

The type series was collected by W.L. Brown Jr. from “mt. base. Forest”.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Ecuador.

Nomenclature

 * . Megalomyrmex caete Brandão, 1990b: 422, figs. 2, 9, 27 (w.q.) ECUADOR.
 * Type-material: holotype worker, 4 paratype workers, 1 paratype queen.
 * Type-locality: holotype Ecuador: Prov. Guayas, 3 km. SW Bucay, 24.vii.1973 (W.L. Brown); paratypes with same data.
 * Type-depositories: MCZC (holotype); BMNH, MCZC, MZSP (paratypes).
 * Status as species: Brandão, 1991: 354; Bolton, 1995b: 249.
 * Distribution: Ecuador.

Worker
Mandibles smooth; anterior border of clypeus with median denticle; flat median area of clypeus limited by carinae (better seen at 80x); 3-seg­mented antenna! club; 10-12 ocular facets at eye largest diameter; occipital margin not raised; dorsal profile of promesonotum continuous, promesonotum suture impressed laterally; meso­ sternum and metasternum without acrotergites; dorsal face and declivity of propodeum meeting in a gentle angle; declivity with 3-4 concentric rugosities over the foramen; petiole with an­ teroventral denticle; petiolar node, in frontal view, acuminate; postpetiole ventral process glo­bose.

Pilosity: 6 long erect hairs (more than .2mm) at pronotum, 4-6 at the apex of petiole and post­ petiole, 15-16 at the gaster segments and anterior face of fore coxae. Small subdecumbent hairs (circa .lmm) uniformly distributed over the body surface. Color: uniform bright  light-yellow.

Queen
Clypeal carinae only at the posterior region of clypeus; ocelli equally developed; parapsidal  sutures impressed on mesonotum; scutum and scutellum with 2 parallel rows of long hairs; ven­tral process  of postpetiole acuminate.

Type Material
3 Km SW Bucay, prov. Guayas, Ecuador (02°10'S, 79° 06'W). Holotype (worker) and 2 paratypes (workers) at Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard Univ.; 1 paratype (worker) at British Museum of Natural History; 2 paratypes (queen and workers) at Museu de Zoologia da USP.

Etymology
Caete means forest in Tupi.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Ulyssea M. A., C. R. F. Brandao. 2013. Catalogue of Dacetini and Solenopsidini ant type specimens (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae) deposited in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil. Papies Avulsos de Zoologia 53(14): 187-209.