Simopelta jeckylli

The type collection consisted of workers collected under forest litter, which appeared to be traveling in a definite direction, suggesting a foraging column (Gotwald and Brown, 1966). Simopelta jeckylli is only known from four collections but these show the species has a wide range.

Identification
Mackay and Mackay (2008) - The large diameter punctures on the head of this species (larger than the size of the eyes) will separate it from all of the others in the genus. In addition, the spine on the clypeus will separate it from many species, which may have similar sculpture, such as Simopelta oculata. It is larger than Simopelta pergandei.

Distribution
Brazil:Rondonia and Para, Ecuador: Orellana.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Brazil, Ecuador.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 * . Belonopelta jeckylli Mann, 1916: 415, pl. 2, figs. 12, 13 (w.) BRAZIL (Rondônia).
 * Type-material: lectotype worker (by designation of Mackay & Mackay, 2008: 303), 48 paralectotype workers.
 * Type-locality: Brazil: Mato Grosso (now Rondônia), Madeira-Mamoré Rail Road, Camp 39, km. 284 (from Porto Velho), 1911 (W.M. Mann).
 * Type-depositories: LACM, MCZC, USNM.
 * [Note: Macay & Mackay, 2008: 303, do not indicate which museum contains the lectotype.]
 * Combination in B. (Simopelta): Mann, 1922: 10;
 * combination in Belonopelta: Baroni Urbani, 1975b: 300 (in key);
 * combination in Simopelta: Wheeler, W.M. 1935d: 14; Bolton, 1995b: 383.
 * Status as species: Borgmeier, 1923: 72; Wheeler, W.M. 1935d: 14; Borgmeier, 1950a: 369; Gotwald & Brown, 1967; 267; Kempf, 1972a: 230; Baroni Urbani, 1975b: 300 (in key); Brandão, 1991: 331; Bolton, 1995b: 383; Mackay & Mackay, 2008: 303 (redescription); Feitosa, 2015c: 99.
 * Distribution: Brazil, Ecuador.

Worker
Mackay and Mackay (2008) - The worker is a medium to large sized specimen (total length 4-5 mm). Color ranges from dark reddish-brown, with a ferrugineus gaster and appendages, to black, usually with lighter colored appendages. The mandibles have 3 teeth, but there may be a bump or a tiny tooth in the diastema. The anterior border of the clypeus is formed into a medial spine. The sides of the head are nearly parallel, but are slightly narrowed posteriorly. The eye is tiny (maximum diameter 0.02 mm) approximately the same size, or slightly smaller than the coarse, surrounding punctures. The antennal scape barely surpasses the posterior lateral corner of the head. The shape of the mesosoma, and petiole are similar to that of other members of the genus.

The head, mesosoma, and petiole are covered with coarse punctures, the mandibles, scapes, and gaster are moderately to strongly shining (the gaster is smooth and glossy).

Erect, mostly short (up to 0.1 mm) hairs are found on the head, scape, mesosoma, legs, petiole, and gaster. The erect hairs on the scapes are sparse, and of varying lengths, but none is over 0.12 mm in length.

Type Material
Mackay and Mackay (2008) - Worker, Brasil: Rondônia: E. F. Madeira-Mamoré, km. 284 [lectotype and 48 paralectotypes seen,, ]

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Baroni Urbani C. 1975. Contributo alla conoscenza dei generi Belonopelta Mayr e Leiopelta gen. n. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Mitt. Schweiz. Entomol. Ges. 48: 295-310.
 * Borgmeier T. 1923. Catalogo systematico e synonymico das formigas do Brasil. 1 parte. Subfam. Dorylinae, Cerapachyinae, Ponerinae, Dolichoderinae. Archivos do Museu Nacional (Rio de Janeiro) 24: 33-103.
 * Fernandes I. O., J. L. P. Souza, F. Fernandez, J. H. C. Delabie, and T. R. Schultz. 2015. A new species of Simopelta(Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ponerinae) from Brazil and Costa Rica. Zootaxa 3956 (2): 295–300.
 * Fernandes I., and J. de Souza. 2018. Dataset of long-term monitoring of ground-dwelling ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the influence areas of a hydroelectric power plant on the Madeira River in the Amazon Basin. Biodiversity Data Journal 6: e24375.
 * Fernández F., and T. M. Arias-Penna. 2008. Las hormigas cazadoras en la región Neotropical. Pp. 3-39 in: Jiménez, E.; Fernández, F.; Arias, T.M.; Lozano-Zambrano, F. H. (eds.) 2008. Sistemática, biogeografía y conservación de las hormigas cazadoras de Colombia. Bogotá: Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt, xiv + 609 pp.
 * Mackay W. P., and E. E. Mackay. 2008. Revision of the ants of the genus Simopelta Mann. Pp. 285-328 in: Jiménez, E.; Fernández, F.; Arias, T.M.; Lozano-Zambrano, F. H. (eds.) 2008. Sistemática, biogeografía y conservación de las hormigas cazadoras de Colombia. Bogotá: Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt, xiv + 609 pp.
 * da Silva de Oliveira A. B., and F. A. Schmidt. 2019. Ant assemblages of Brazil nut trees Bertholletia excelsa in forest and pasture habitats in the Southwestern Brazilian Amazon. Biodiversity and Conservation 28(2): 329-344.