Gnamptogenys sulcata

De la Mora et al. (2016) found this species nesting in logs found in coffee farms and forests in the Soconusco region of Chiapas, Mexico. A small percentage of pupae were found to be parasitized by eucharitid wasps. Gnamptogenys sulcata are known to be preyed upon by Dendrobates histrionicus (Lattke 1990).

Identification
Mandibles subtriangular; dorsal mesosomal costulae convergent caudad and transverse on declivitous propodeal face; metacoxal tooth absent, at most present as very small tubercle or short lobe; very variable color: mesosoma black to light brown, frequently head, gastric apex and posterior margin of gastric tergum II darker than rest of body. Legs antennae, and mandibles light to dark brown. Variation has been observed in size and shape of the subpetiolar process, mandibular width, and relative size of the eyes. The node can project posteriorly and approach the condition in Gnamptogenys acuminata but does not become acutely pointed. Even though the propodeal declivity is commonly transversely costulate, it can sometimes have oblique or even longitudinal costulae. (Lattke 1995)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela.

Biology
Koch et al. (2018) sampled this species in Caryocar barsiliense trees, in southeastern Brazil cerrado, as part of a study examining species interactions in ant-plants.

Nomenclature

 *  sulcata. Ponera sulcata Smith, F. 1858b: 99 (w.) BRAZIL. Forel, 1899c: 8 (q.m.). Combination in Ectatomma (Gnamptogenys): Dalla Torre, 1893: 26; Emery, 1896g: 51; in Gnamptogenys: Mayr, 1886c: 358; Brown, 1958g: 229. Senior synonym of cearensis, lineata, nitens, ypirangensis: Brown, 1958g: 229; of tornata: Lattke, 1995: 188..
 * tornata. Ponera tornata Roger, 1861a: 15 (w.q.m.) MEXICO. Combination in Ectatomma (Gnamptogenys): Mayr, 1887: 541; Emery, 1896g: 46; in Gnamptogenys: Roger, 1863a: 174; Mann, 1922: 3; Brown, 1958g: 229. Junior synonym of sulcata: Lattke, 1995: 188. See also: Kempf, 1968b: 378.
 * lineata. Gnamptogenys lineata Mayr, 1870b: 965 (w.) BRAZIL. Combination in Ectatomma (Gnamptogenys): Mayr, 1887: 541. Subspecies of sulcata: Emery, 1896g: 51; Forel, 1912c: 32. Junior synonym of sulcata: Brown, 1958g: 229.
 * cearensis. Ectatomma (Gnamptogenys) sulcatum var. cearensis Forel, 1912c: 33 (w.) BRAZIL. Junior synonym of sulcata: Brown, 1958g: 229.
 * nitens. Ectatomma (Gnamptogenys) sulcatum var. nitens Mann, 1916: 407 (w.) BRAZIL. Junior synonym of sulcata: Brown, 1958g: 229.
 * ypirangensis. Gnamptogenys ypirangensis Borgmeier, 1928b: 60 (w.) BRAZIL. Junior synonym of sulcata: Brown, 1958g: 229.

Ponera sulcata

Two worker syntypes in. Labelled “Ega,” and “58/6.” Acc. Reg.: “Amazon (Ega on the Rio). Purchased of Stevens.”

Determination Clarifications
Much confusion has accumulated regarding the identity of this Gnamptogenys ericae and the similar Gnamptogenys sulcata. Many previous references to sulcata are actually ericae, but the confusion makes it quite difficult to distinguish between each reference.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

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