Neoponera recava

Nothing is known about the biology of this species.

Identification
From Mackay and Mackay (2010): Neoponera recava is clearly a member of the crenata species complex, with a well-developed medial angular lobe on the clypeus and with a well-developed pronotal carina, lack of the depression at the metanotal suture and the stridulatory file is present on the second pretergite. The shape of the petiole of N. recava would cause confusion with only Neoponera unidentata and Neoponera striatinodis. The concave posterior face of the petiole can easily distinguish N. recava, which is convex in the other two species. Pachycondyla recava also lacks the striae found on the petiolar node of N. striatinodis.

Workers of N. recava could be easily confused with workers of the Venezuelan Neoponera rugosula with the posterior face of the petiole being concave, as the posterior face of the petiole is strongly concave in both species. Neoponera recava can be easily separated, as such N. rugosula is larger (total length 8 mm) and all surfaces of the petiole are punctate, not smooth and glossy as in N. recava (especially the posterior face).

Distribution
COLOMBIA (Mackay and Mackay 2010)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Colombia.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  recava. Pachycondyla recava Mackay & Mackay, 2010: 493, figs. 76, 225, 615-617 (w.) COLOMBIA. Combination in Neoponera: Schmidt & Shattuck, 2014: 151.

Worker
The worker is a small (total length 6.5 mm) black ant with yellow appendages and with the anterior half of the head somewhat yellowish. The mandibles have about 12 teeth; the anterior margin of the clypeus is broadly convex and the medial lobe is strongly convex and overhangs the remainder of the clypeus. The head length is 1.44 mm (including the entire medial clypeal lobe); the head width is 1.23 mm. The malar carina is moderately well-developed and extends approximately ⅔ of the distance to the eye. The maximum diameter of the eye is 0.40 mm. The scape (1.40 mm) extends approximately the first 2 funicular segments past the posterior lateral corner of the head. The sides of the head are broadly convex; the posterior margin is weakly concave. The pronotal shoulder forms a sharp carina, which overhangs the remainder of the pronotum. The metanotal suture is not impressed and is poorly marked on the dorsum of the mesosoma and barely interrupts the sculpturing. The propodeal spiracle is slit-shaped. The anterior face of the petiole is nearly vertical and concave and meets the broadly rounded posterior face near the anterior edge. The central region of the posterior face of the petiole is strongly concave. The subpetiolar process is poorly developed and consists of a tiny anterior tooth and a lobe, which gradually diminishes in width posteriorly. The anterior face of the postpetiole is vertical and meets the dorsal face in a broad curve. The stridulatory file is well developed on the second pretergite and the arolia are present but poorly developed. The metasternal process consists of two wide lobes, which are barely separated by two straight surfaces.

Erect hairs are abundant on most surfaces including the mandibles, clypeus, sides of the head, posterior margin of the head, dorsal and ventral surfaces of the head, scapes, dorsum of the mesosoma, dorsum of the petiole and all surfaces of the gaster; the hairs on the legs are mostly suberect. Appressed pubescence is sparse and only noticeable on the gaster.

The mandibles are very finely striate with scattered punctures and only weakly shining, the medial lobe of the clypeus is longitudinally concave, with very fine striae laterally. The dorsum of the head is punctate and weakly shining, the dorsum of the mesosoma has scattered punctures and is moderately smooth and glossy, the side of the pronotum is smooth and glossy, the remainder of the side of the mesosoma is striolate, finely punctate and weakly to moderately shining. The petiole is finely punctate, glossy and shining, especially the posterior face. The gaster has fine scattered punctures and is moderately shining.

Type Material
COLOMBIA Valle del Cauca Calima Cuenca media Río Calima campo. Holotype worker

Etymology
From Latin, recavus, meaning arched inward, referring to the posterior face of the petiole of the worker of this species.