Pseudomyrmex urbanus

Identification
Ward (1989) - P. urbanus belongs to a difficult species complex that also includes Pseudomyrmex caeciliae and Pseudomyrmex cubaensis (s.l.). P. urbanus workers are characterized by a combination of intermediate size (HW 0.58-0.66), relatively long eyes and broad fore femur and (typically) orange-brown body. P. urbanus differs from Pseudomyrmex elongatus by its shinier appearance, particularly the presence of conspicuous sublucid areas on the head and pronotum, and by its lighter color. The eyes of P. urbanus workers tend to be shorter than those of P. elongatus, and the petiole is relatively lower.

Distribution
Known from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Surinam, Trinidad, Venezuela.

This taxon was described from Brazil.

Biology
Ward (1989) - Little biological information is available about P. urbanus. Collections come from rain forest localities as well as areas typified by drier forest. The type series of P. chodati was collected in cauline swellings of Cordia longituba, that of P. ogloblini in the branches of "Thecoma ipe" [ = Tecoma obtusata] accompanied by coccids; both records suggest a propensity for this species to nest in live plant cavities.

Nomenclature

 *  urbanus. Pseudomyrma urbana Smith, F. 1877b: 65 (w.) BRAZIL. Combination in Pseudomyrmex: Kusnezov, 1964: 83. Senior synonym of chodati, ogloblini: Ward, 1989: 427.
 * chodati. Pseudomyrma chodati Forel, 1921a: 201 (w.) PARAGUAY. Combination in Pseudomyrmex: Kempf, 1972a: 217. Junior synonym of urbanus: Ward, 1989: 427.
 * ogloblini. Pseudomyrma ogloblini Santschi, 1936d: 402, figs. 1-3 (w.) ARGENTINA. Combination in Pseudomyrmex: Kempf, 1972a: 222. Junior synonym of urbanus: Ward, 1989: 427.

Ward (1989) - Some problematic series are in the material listed below. These include unusually dark brown workers from Dpto. Beni, Bolivia and large cubaensis-like workers from Ecuador (Piedrero) and Venezuela (Edo. Zulia). The type specimens of P. chodati (Forel) and P. ogloblini (Santschi) from Paraguay and Argentina, respectively, appear to be rather typical P. urbanus insofar as they are in the appropriate size range (HW 0.58-0.61) and have a light orange-brown, sub lucid integument; the eyes, however, are rather short (REL2 0.69-0.72). Future studies may reveal more than one species here.

Worker
Ward (1989) - measurements (n=21). HL 0.76-0.95, HW 0.58-D066, MFC 0.014-0.026, CI 0.69-0.76, OI 0.52-0.58, REL 0.51-0.56, REL2 0.69-0.78, OOI 0.29-1.12, VI 0.76-0.85, FCI 0.022-0.041, SI 0.44-0.48, SI2 0.58-0.67, FI 0.44-0.53, PDI 1.08-1.53, MPI 0.028-0.063, NI 0.51-0.65, PLI 0.76-0.88, PWI 0.55-0.71, PPWI 1.06-1.48.

diagnosis. A relatively small species (HW 0.58-D.66), with moderately elongate eyes (REL2 0.69-0.78); sides of head subparallel to broadly convex, rounding somewhat gradually into the flat to weakly concave occipital margin; second and third funicular segments broader than long (FLI 1.15-1.58, n=7). Fore femur relatively broad; metanotal groove well marked; basal face of Propodeum subequal to, or longer than, the declivitous face and usually rounding gently into the latter. Petiole longer than high, with soft dorsolateral margination, and a conspicllous anteroventral process; postpetiole broader than long. Mandibles striato-punctate; head densely punctate, sublucid, the punctures often separated by shiny interspaces, especially between the ocelli and compound eye, and immediately posterior to the compound eye, where some punctures are separated by half their diameters or more. Mesosoma punctate to coriarious-imbricate, tending to be sublucid dorsally and on the side of the pronotum, more opaque elsewhere. Petiole, postpetiole, and gaster sublucid, the lustre dulled by numerous fine piligerous punctures. Fine erect pilosity and appressed pubescence present on most of body, including mesosoma dorsum. Body usually light to medium orange-brown, with varying degrees of infuscation of the gaster, hindfemur, and (sometimes) head; mandibles and tarsi paler. In a few individuals (Opto. Beni, Bolivia; Isla Fernando Noronha, Brazil) entire body darker brown.

Type Material
Syntype workers, Ega, Amazonas, Brazil [Examined]; one worker here designated as LECTOTYPE.

Pseudomyrma chodati Syntype workers, Paraguay (Chodat) [Examined]. One worker here designated LECTOTYPE.

Pseudomyrma ogloblini Syntype workers, Loreto, Misiones, Argentina (A. Ogloblin) [Examined].