Holcoponera pilosa

Identification
This is the hairiest of all Gnamptogenys species. On account of size, slender habitus, posteriorly inclined petiolar node, fine costulation, and abundant pilosity its nearest relatives appear to be Gnamptogenys gracilis and Gnamptogenys ejuncida. The sculpture of ejuncida is coarser, the pilosity is not as dense and the presence of erect hairs is considerably less. The break between the dorsal and declivitous propodeal faces is sharper in G. pilosa, giving it a more robust aspect. G. gracilis is an endemic from the Guiana Shield area, and has the postpetiolar sternal disc smooth and shining. (Lattke 1995)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Colombia.

Nomenclature

 *  pilosa. Gnamptogenys pilosa Lattke, 1995: 178, figs. 51-53 (w.) COLOMBIA.

Worker
Holotype (paratypes) measurements: HL 1.44 (1.40-1.48); HW 1.20 (1.20-1.22); ML 0.54 (0.46-0.54); ED 0.28 (0.28-0.30); SL 1.46 (1.50-1.57); WL 2.00 (2.00-2.06) mm; CI 0.83 (0.81-0.86); SI 1.21 (1.25-1.28); OI 0.23 (0.23-0.25) n =4.

With head in frontal view, vertexal margin fairly straight, sides broadly convex; anterior clypeal margin convex, lamella well developed; eyes prominent on posterior one half of head; mandibles triangular, apical margin denticulate, dorsum striate; cephalic dorsum with longitudinal parallel striae, diverging posterad at vertex; 1-2 transverse striae parallel to occipital carina; anterior prontal face transversely striate; dorsal mesosomal surface, including all of propodeum, longitudinally striate; striae curve around propodeal spiracles with no transverse striae between spiracles; lateral pronotal surface obliquely to transversely striate, striation on pleura and lateral propodeal face parallel with dorsal striae; inner procoxal faces punctate, anterolaterally transversely striae; lateral faces of meso- and metacoxae weakly striate; metacoxa with well-developed tooth.

Petiolar node transversely striate, low; viewed laterally with convex anterior margin and concave posterior margin, apex overhanging; subpetiolar process with a projecting anterior lobe and subquadrate posteriorly; transverse striae anteriorly on gastric tergum, up to three-fourths length of tergum, rest of gaster longitudinally striate; anteroventral postpetiolar process prominent; sternite with longitudinal striation, diverging caudad; abundant erect to suberect hairs on body and extremities; abundant pilosity on coxae, propodeum, petiole, antennae and legs.

Type Material
Holotype worker. Colombia, Valle: Calima, Canon El Pital, F. Castano, leg. Deposited in. Paratypes: Three workers with same locality data as holotype. One deposited in each of the following:, ,.

The late Mr. F. Castano kindly provided additional information about the type locality. The site is by a stream called Quebrada El Pital (tributary of Rio Calima) in a gorge 900-1300 m above sea level. Approximate coordinates: 3°08'N 76°40'W. The site will soon be flooded due to construction of a dam. The specimens were found on leaf litter in a cloud forest.

Etymology
The species name is derived from the Greek word for hair: pilos.