Typhlomyrmex rogenhoferi

Unlike congeneric species with subterranean nests, T. rogenhoferi nests exclusively inside stumps of dead wood (Lacau et al. 2008). They occur throughout Central and South America between 30°S et 20°N, a much broader distribution than other congeneric species (Brown, 1964; Lacau et al., 2004).

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

Biology
Sébastien Lacau studied many colonies over 11 years in French Guyana and Brazil (Para and Bahia States). Workers of T. rogenhoferi are the largest in this genus and show striking variation (2X) in body size. Colonies frequently exceed 2000 workers, which is atypical for Ectatomminae. This species is a highly opportunistic hunter inside dead stumps, and there is no cooperation during foraging. Larvae of Lampyridae (Coleoptera) live peacefully inside the nests of T. rogenhoferi, and there is no predation of ant brood or adults (Lacau et al. 2008). Workers were observed to lick the lampyrid larvae, possibly due to an attractive secretion.

Lacau et al. (2008) provided a detailed description of the sting apparatus

De la Mora et al. (2016) found this species nesting in logs found in coffee farms in the Soconusco region of Chiapas, Mexico.

Nomenclature

 *  rogenhoferi. Typhlomyrmex rogenhoferi Mayr, 1862: 737 (w.) BRAZIL. Mayr, 1887: 538 (q.m.); Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1976a: 42 (l.). Senior synonym of manco, robustus: Brown, 1957e: 229; of sculpturatus: Brown, 1965c: 74. See also: Lacau, et al. 2008: 252.
 * robustus. Typhlomyrmex rogenhoferi r. robustus Emery, 1890b: 40 (w.) COSTA RICA. [Also described as new by Emery, 1894k: 46.] Forel, 1899c: 3 (q.); Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1952a: 121 (l.). Raised to species: Dalla Torre, 1893: 16; Emery, 1911d: 24. Junior synonym of rogenhoferi: Brown, 1957e: 229.
 * manco. Typhlomyrmex robustus subsp. manco Wheeler, W.M. 1925a: 2 (w.m.) PERU. Junior synonym of rogenhoferi: Brown, 1957e: 229.
 * sculpturatus. Centromyrmex sculpturatus Santschi, 1931c: 266 (q.) PANAMA. Combination in Typhlomyrmex: Brown, 1965c: 74. Junior synonym of rogenhoferi: Brown, 1965c: 74.