Carebara coqueta

Known from the type collection, a winkler sample with major and minor workers. The collection was made in "Terra Firme forest" in Caqueta, Columbia.

Identification
Fernández (2006) - The major worker of this species is smaller than that of Carebara tenua or Carebara coeca, and on the basis of size is more closely related to Carebara panamensis. Nevertheless, C. panamensis is even smaller (according to Wheeler 1925) with total length of 1.30 mm (vs. 2.03 mm in C. coqueta). The sculpturing differs between the two species, and is more extensive in C. coqueta. The panamensis major worker/ergatoid has eyes and a median ocellus, although this might be associated in some way with its ergatoid condition. The minor workers of the two species are undistinguishable, at least based on Wheeler’s (1925) description. As I pointed out in a recent paper (Fernández 2004:212), there are several undescribed species in this complex whose limits and variation are not well understood, additionally, the minor workers are practically useless for species identification.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Colombia.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  coqueta. Carebara coqueta Fernández, 2006: 97, fig. 1 (s.w.) COLOMBIA.

Worker
Major. Holotype: HW 0.48 HL 0.64 SL 0.25 PW 0.25 WL 0.53 GL 0.49 TL 2.03 CI 75 SI 52.

Head longer than broad, posterior border semicircularly excised, sides straight, parallel. Masticatory border with five stout teeth. Clypeus narrow, medial portion slightly concave. Frontal triangle well-defined. Frontal lobes somewhat continued posteriorly as short longitudinal rugulae. Scapes very short. Ocelli and eyes absent. In lateral view mesosoma flat, mesonotum slightly higher, propodeum lower. Pronotal suture feebly impressed dorsally. Metanotum narrow. Dorsal face of propodeum sloping and then curving into the posterior face, without spines or angles. Propodeal spiracle relatively large, rounded, close to metapleural gland bullae. Petiole with short peduncle, lateral swellings and ventrally with strong spine. Postpetiole in posterior view campanuliform, ventrally with anterior carinae. Body smooth, somewhat shining. Head, promesonotum, sides of pronotum and mesopleura with longitudinal rugae. Metapleuron, propodeum, petiole and postpetiole (except dorsal sides) with fine reticulation. Pubescence very sparse over body except propodeum. Long hairs (about 0.13 mm) dense on head; several on promesonotum, petiole, postpetiole and gaster. Body brown.

Minor. (n=1) Paratype. HW 0.26 HL 0.31 SL 0.18 PW 0.15 WL 0.29 GL 0.35 TL 1.04 CI 84 SI 69. Head longer than wide. Posterior border slightly concave, lateral margins faintly concave. Mandibles with 4 teeth. Median portion of clypeus nearly flat. In frontal oblique view, clypeal lateral carinae strongly narrowed posteriorly and between frontal lobes, then continued as frontal triangle. Scapes fail to reach posterior border by 1/2 of head length. In side view, mesosoma slightly convex, interrupted by deep metanotal groove. Dorsal face of propodeum curving into posterior face. Propodeal spiracle relatively large, circular, high and very close to propodeal margin. Propodeal metapleural lobes reduced to narrow lamellae that reach the propodeal dorsum. Petiole with short peduncle, evenly continuous with the dorsal rounded node. Subpetiolar process produced as anterior spine directed forward, spine normally not visible in mounted specimens. Postpetiole dorsally concave, lower than petiole. In dorsal view petiole longer than wide, postpetiole globose, more or less as long as wide. Anterior margin of first tergum in side view straight. Body smooth and shining. Mandibles with several scattered punctures, head with scattered punctures (except in the central longitudinal area), each punctum with a small hair. Anterior sides of head with very fine longitudinal striation. Sides of mesosoma (except pronotum), petiole, postpetiole and dorsum of petiolar peduncle with a faint to moderate reticulation. Short curved hairs (less than 0.03 mm) relatively abundant over body, especially dorsum. Medium length hairs (about 0.04 mm or longer): Four on clypeus projecting forward, four on promesonotum (two anteriorly, two posteriorly), two on petiole, four on postpetiole. Body yellow brown.