Cyphomyrmex laevigatus

Cyphomyrmex laevigatus seems to be a denizen of the soil in woodland. The Surinam catches came from primary forest and were secured from pitfall traps and desiccated soil samples (Kempf 1966).

Identification
See the description section below.

Distribution
Known from Bolivia, Suriname, Brazil and Paraguay and Peru.

This taxon was described from Bolivia.

Castes
Female and male unknown.

Nomenclature

 *  laevigatus. Cyphomyrmex (Cyphomannia) laevigatus Weber, 1938b: 184, figs. 20, 21 (w.) BOLIVIA. See also: Kempf, 1966: 178; Snelling & Longino, 1992: 493.

Worker
Kempf (1966) - (lectotype) Total length 3.5 (3.3-3.7) mm; head length 0.91 (0.85-0.96) mm; head width 0.88 (0.85-0.96) mm; thorax length 1.20 (1.07-1.23) mm; hind femur length 0.91 (0.85-0.94) mm. Rather close to Cyphomyrmex bicornis with the following differential characters:

Head (fig 4) dorsally with vestigial longitudinal rugae. Clypeus with a small to vestigial accessory tooth mesad of antero-lateral one. Auriculate occipital lobes slightly less projecting caudad. Antennal scape rather abruptly thickened after basal third. Eyes with about 9 facets across greatest diameter.

Thorax (fig 26) completely unarmed on dorsum. Pronotal disc laterally rather sharply carinate. Mesoepinotal junction not deeply impressed, but with a distinct mesoepinotal suture. Fore femora dorso-apically with a short longitudinal, lamellate carinule. Hind femora (fig 41) as in bicornis, not longer than maximum head width.

Pedicel (fig 26,32). Petiole much shorter and broader, likewise without dorsal ridges. Postpetiole with a weak impression laterally, discad of posterior border; the latter vestigially notched in the middle.

Hairs minute, fine, strictly appressed, less conspicuous than in bicornis.

Type Material
Kempf (1966) - 12 workers from a single nest series; 4 workers (lectotype and paratypes) examined (NAW, MCZ).