Myrmicaria morettoi

Myrmicaria morettoi was found nesting in the ground.

Identification
Myrmicaria morettoi is characterized by two longer teeth placed in the ventral part of petiolar peduncle, often bent and joined apically to form a great ring-like process. A linear translucent linear lamella is also present. Until now, in the genus Myrmicaria, only Myrmicaria salambo, from the Congo, has a subpetiolar process. Both species are distinguishable by the following characters:

Myrmicaria morettoi: size TL 6–7.8 mm. Brownish black in colour with petiolar peduncle and gaster castaneous or brownish-ocre. Clypeus with median carina absent or faintly traced. Femora shiny and weakly striated only at apex. Petiole with subpetiolar process formed by two long teeth joined apically (ring-like) or separate apically or totally absent in some cases (Fig. 4). Venter of post-petiole anteriorly obtuse (never angled or pointed). Pronotum and mesonotum with median raised carina, remaining carinae linear without anastomosis (except those on the anterior margin of pronotum). Dorsum of propodeum smooth and lacking longitudinal carinae or anastomosis. Nodes of peduncle carinated. Postpetiolar node with 4–6 longitudinal carinae, very close and in the posterior slope joined with circular and regular pattern.

Concerning the measurements, Myrmicaria morettoi has CW, SL, CI and CS relatively much smaller than Myrmicaria salambo. The measures of M. salambo are based on 3 syntypes (MCZ) and 4 specimens from Ivory Coast, Boundiali, M’banto 09°35’18.1”N 006°42’52.1”W, piège achatine, Moretto P. leg. (Antonio Scupola, personal collection, Italy).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Senegal.

Nomenclature

 *  morettoi. Myrmicaria morettoi Scupola, 2019: 602, figs. 1, 3, 4, 8 (w.) SENEGAL.

Taxonomic Notes
I am not sure that the paratypes of M. morettoi lacking subpetiolar teeth come from the same nest as the holotype. However, in respect to the paratypes with armed petiole I did not find any differences in the body sculpture, colour, clypeus etc., and for these reasons I think they are probably all members of the same colony and consequently of the same new taxon.