Sericomyrmex scrobifer

Known from Brazil, collections of this species have been from forested areas and cerrado. The biology of Sericomyrmex scrobifer has not been studied, general details about the biology of the genus are given here.

Identification
Ješovnik & Schultz (2017) - Medium-sized species; mandible dorsally smooth and glossy; frontal lobe robust, wide, trapeziform to rectangular; frontal carina strongly developed; eye large, convex, protruding laterally in full-face view, lateral mesonotal tubercles sharp, first gastral tergite with both lateral and dorsal carinae strongly developed.

S. scrobifer is most similar to its sister species, Sericomyrmex maravalhas, from which scrobifer can be separated by its larger size; much wider, trapeziform frontal lobes; larger, more protruding eyes; and stronger frontal carinae. The combination of large eyes, trapeziform frontal lobes, and four carinae on the gaster will separate it from all other Sericomyrmex species. Smaller individuals can have less pronounced mesonotal tubercles and weaker dorsal and lateral gastral carinae.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Brazil.

Nomenclature

 *  scrobifer. Sericomyrmex scrobifer Forel, 1911c: 296 (w.) BRAZIL.

Worker
Ješovnik & Schultz (2017) - (lectotype): HWe 0.83–1.12 (1) HW 0.78–1.05 (NA) HW1 0.83–1.13 (1.03) HW2 0.88–1.2 (1.1) HW3 0.55–0.85 (0.7) IFW1 0.66–0.84 (0.78) IFW2 0.22–0.32 (0.22) HL1 0.8–1.1 (1) HL2 0.7–0.98 (0.9) SL 0.62–0.78 (0.68) EL 0.15–0.24 (0.17) Om 10–14 (13) WL 1.12–1.4 (1.25) PL 0.24–0.38 (0.24) PPL 0.2–0.28 (0.25) GL 0.74–1.68 (0.95) HFL 0.93–1.26 (1.07) PW 0.63–0.8 (0.7) CI 97–111 (100) FLI 72–83 (78) SI 62–77 (68) OI 16–23 (17) CEI 8–15 (10) [N=31]

Pilosity. Pubescence dense, often lighter than integument, appressed to decumbent. Setae often curved, darker in color at base, appressed to suberect, mostly decumbent.

Head. In full-face view slightly broader than long (CI=104 ± 3), posterior corner angular to acute. Lateral margin of head straight to slightly convex, posterior cephalic emargination distinct, relatively deep (CEI=11 ± 1), gradually impressed. Vertexal impression usually distinct, frontal tumuli faint. Mandible with 7–8 teeth, dorsally smooth and glossy, finely transversely striate only along masticatory margin. Eye large (OI=20 ± 2), distinctly convex, protruding from sides of head in full-face view, without white layer, 10–14 ommatidia across largest diameter. Frontal lobe wide (FLI=76 ± 3), laterally expanded, trapeziform to rectangular, posterior margin as long as medial, slightly shorter in some specimens, lateral margin sometimes mildly concave and serrate. Frontal carina robust, complete, straight to slightly curved laterally. Antennal scape relatively short, not reaching posterior cephalic corner (SI=70 ± 3).

Mesosoma. Lateral mesonotal tubercles well developed, acute, sometimes weakly tuberculate apically. Propodeal carinae low, sometimes serrate, with low posterodorsal denticles.

Metasoma. Petiole with two low, reduced dorsal denticles, node of postpetiole with two faint, short dorsal carinae, and two low lateral carinae, best seen in dorsolateral view. Postpetiole in dorsal view sometimes slightly posteriorly emarginate. First gastral tergite with lateral and dorsal carinae strongly developed.

Type Material
Ješovnik & Schultz (2017) - Lectotype worker (here designated): Brazil, São Paulo,Ypiranga, [-23.5, -46.6], ANTC35980, Luederwaldt (, 1w, CASENT0912518). Paralectotypes: same data as lectotype (: 3w, USNMENT00445578).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Forel A. 1911. Ameisen des Herrn Prof. v. Ihering aus Brasilien (Sao Paulo usw.) nebst einigen anderen aus Südamerika und Afrika (Hym.). Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 1911: 285-312.
 * Kempf, W.W. 1972. Catalago abreviado das formigas da regiao Neotropical (Hym. Formicidae) Studia Entomologica 15(1-4).
 * Klingenberg, C. and C.R.F. Brandao. 2005. The type specimens of fungus growing ants, Attini (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae) deposited in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil. Papeis Avulsos de Zoologia 45(4):41-50
 * Luederwaldt H. 1918. Notas myrmecologicas. Rev. Mus. Paul. 10: 29-64.