Typhlomyrmex encanto

This species was collected in leaf litter with the Winkler method, in primary rain forests with a high degree of conservation.

Identification
A unique feature in Typhlomyrmex encanto is the median projection of the clypeal lamella, not known in any other described Typhlomyrmex. This species is also the smallest of the genus, and probably the smallest Ectatomminae in the World. In their treatment of the Typhlomyrmex from Colombia, Lacau et al. (2008) include one unnamed species, referred to as “sp. A” which matches the description of Typhlomyrmex encanto. In the key to the species, the following characterization of species A can be obtained, translated from French: “Head capsule whose maximum width is located at half its length, with lateral surfaces clearly converging anteriorly; occipital carina absent; clypeus in dorsal view, with the anterior edge forming a distinct constricted convexity; clypeal lamella bearing a short and narrow median process (its maximum width clearly less than that of the scape), protruding and clearly truncated at the apex; scape in dorsal view greatly enlarged posteriorly at its basal third; indistinct metanotal groove”. The authors refer to material of this species from Brazil, Colombia and Peru and mention that the description is “in progress”. However, this description was not published and there are no known plans to do so (Jacques Delabie, pers. comm.). Lacau et al. (2008) also mention material from Leticia, Amazonas, Colombia, was deposited in the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University (MCZ).

Distribution
This species is recorded for the Colombian Amazon and Lacau et al. (2008) report it also for Brazil and Peru without coordinates or collection vouchers, with the available information this species seems to be restricted to the Amazon region of South America.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Colombia.

Nomenclature

 * . Typhlomyrmex encanto Fernández, Fiorentino & Castro, 2023: 581, figs. 1, 6A (w.) COLOMBIA.

Type Material

 * Holotype worker. Colombia, Amazonas, El Encanto, 01°44'3.48"S, 73°11'57.7"W, 156 m, 14–17.iv.2022, leg. L. Pérez & R. Nova (ICN 103630).
 * Paratype. 1 worker, same data as holotype (ICN 103631).