Neoponera schultzi

The holotype was collected from a Bromelia.

Identification
From Mackay and Mackay (2010): The worker of N. schultzi is similar to members of the crenata species complex, but can be easily separated by the well defined dorsal face of the petiole, which is separated from both the anterior and posterior face by angles. Additionally the mesosoma of N. schultzi is depressed at the metanotal suture and the propodeal spiracle is circular, conditions not found in the crenata species complex.

The worker of N. schultzi is similar to that of Neoponera venusta, which is of approximately the same size and color. The worker of N. schultzi can be easily separated from that of N. venusta by the shape of the petiole (apex rounded in N. venusta) and the horizontal striae that cover the mesopleuron (the mesopleura of N. venusta, as well as the other closely related species, Neoponera concava are smooth and glossy). Neoponera schultzi can be separated from the closely related N. concava as it lacks the concave anterior face of the postpetiole. Additionally the anterior medial margin of the clypeus of N. schultzi is concave, not angulate as in N. concava.

It is difficult to place N. schultzi in a species complex. It has several characteristics of the crenata species complex, including the malar carina and the carina on the pronotal shoulder. On the other hand the concave anterior medial margin of the clypeus, the deep constriction of the metanotal suture on the dorsum of the mesosoma and the thickened, ventrally convex subpetiolar process, suggest that it may be related to Mayaponera constricta. It together with N. venusta and N. concava apparently form a link between the constricta, emiliae and crenata species complexes. Neoponera schulzi and the others will all be placed in the emiliae species complex until they are better known.

Distribution
BRASIL (Mackay and Mackay 2010)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Brazil.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  schultzi. Pachycondyla schultzi Mackay & Mackay, 2010: 511, figs. 86, 89, 189, 190, 633, 634 (w.) BRAZIL. Combination in Neoponera: Schmidt & Shattuck, 2014: 151.

Worker
The worker is a small (total length 6.5 mm) dark reddish black specimen with reddish brown appendages. The mandible has approximately 10 teeth; the medial region of the anterior border of the clypeus is noticeably concave. The head length is 1.48 mm, the head width is 1.30 mm. The malar carina is well developed; the eye is large (maximum diameter 0.41 mm) located about ½ diameter from the anterior margin of the head (side view). The scape is relatively long (1.8 mm) and extends nearly ½ length past the posterior lateral corner of the head. The pronotal carina is developed but only slightly overhangs the side of the pronotum. The promesonotal suture is well developed and slightly depressed on the dorsum of the mesosoma, the metanotal suture is more developed and significantly depresses the dorsum of the mesosoma and interrupts the sculpture. The propodeal spiracle is circular-shaped. The petiole is thick when viewed in profile with the anterior and posterior faces being nearly straight and nearly parallel and forming a well-developed dorsal face, which slopes downward anteriorly. The regions between the anterior face and the dorsal face, as well as the posterior face and the dorsal face, are distinctly angulate. The subpetiolar process is poorly developed. The posterior lateral edges of the petiole form a sharp carina and separate the posterior face from the sides and from the dorsal face. The stridulatory file is well developed on the second pretergite. The metasternal process cannot be seen due to the mounting technique used on both known specimens.

Erect hairs are relatively long (up to 0.2 mm) and are present on the mandibles, clypeus, dorsal and ventral surfaces of the head, the scapes, the mesosoma, the petiole and all surfaces of the gaster, the hairs on the legs are mostly suberect.

The mandibles are finely striate and have scattered punctures, but are moderately smooth and glossy. The dorsum of the head is densely and evenly punctate, as is the dorsum of the mesosoma. The side of the pronotum is striate and dull, as is the remainder of the side of the mesosoma. The petiole is mostly horizontally striate and dull, except for the region near the posterior edge of the apex, as well as the posterior face, which are shining. The gaster is finely punctate and only weakly shining.

Type Material
Brazil. Holotype worker

Etymology
Named in honor of Dr. Ted Schultz, who has helped us in our taxonomic work and loaned us the holdings of Pachycondyla in the USNM, including the holotype.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Castano-Meneses G., R. De Jesus Santos, J. R. Mala Dos Santos, J. H. C. Delabie, L. L. Lopes, and C. F. Mariano. 2019. Invertebrates associated to Ponerine ants nests in two cocoa farming systems in the southeast of the state of Bahia, Brazil. Tropical Ecology 60: 52–61.
 * Peres M. C. L. 2012. Efeito de clareiras naturais sobre as assembleias de formigas (Formicidae) e aranhas (Araneae) num trecho de Mata Atlantica. PhD thesis, Universidade Federal da Bahia, 111 pages.