Mycocepurus curvispinosus

Most specimens have been collected in pitfall traps, or litter samples. This species apparently lives in nests of Mycocepurus smithii in México (La Mancha, Veracruz). The workers are slow and timid and forage together with those of M. smithii. A single, dealate female was collected in Panamá on 18-v-1995. (Mackay et al. 2004)

Identification
The worker of this species is easily recognized, as it lacks anterior pronotal spines. Additionally, the propodeal spines are strongly curved upwards. No other species in the genus has this combination of characters. The female can be recognized by the large lateral pronotal spines, and the slightly upturned propodeal teeth. It is relatively small (total length slightly more than 2.5 mm), smaller than the females of Mycocepurus smithii. The first two characteristics easily separate this species from M. smithii. (Mackay et al. 2004)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama.

Habitat
Found in a variety of communities, ranging from slashed and burned areas, sub-deciduous forests to tropical rain forests.

Nomenclature

 *  curvispinosus. Mycocepurus curvispinosus Mackay, W.P., 1998c: 423, figs. 5, 6, 9 (w.) COSTA RICA.

Queen
Mackay et al. (2004) - Head length (HL, anterior edge of median lobe of clypeus to midpoint of posterior margin) 0.71, head width (HW, maximum, at posterior edge of eye) 0.67, scape length (SL, excluding basal condyle) 0.58, eye length (maximum) 0.17, Weber’s length (anterior border of pronotum to posterior angle of metapleuron) 1.07, cephalic index (HL/HW X 100) 95, scape index (SL/HL X 100) 81.

Mandible apparently with 5 teeth; frontal lobes expanded, covering insertions of antennae; sides of head nearly parallel, slightly narrowed in region of eyes, which extend past sides of head; posterior margin of head concave, occipital spines poorly developed; scape barely reaches posterior lateral corner; lateral pronotal spine welldeveloped, with wide base, inferior lateral pronotal spine poorly developed; scutellum angulate posteriorly, overhanging metanotum; propodeal spines well-developed, slightly upturned, with broad base; subpeduncular process poorly developed, peduncle elongated, apex of petiole with two sets of spines.

Anterior margin of clypeus with several, erect hairs, dorsum of head with several, erect hairs, hairs on scape decumbent, dorsum of mesosoma with erect hairs, petiole nearly lacking erect hairs, postpetiole and gaster with abundant, erect hairs, hairs on tibiae mostly suberect.

Entire ant very roughly sculptured, except for mandibles, which are striate and moderately shining, much of rough sculpture, especially on dorsum of gaster, arranged in poorly defined striate.

Ferrugineous red.