Adelomyrmex dorae

Adelomyrmex dorae appears to be restricted to remnants of riparian vegetation of tropical cloud forest in Veracruz, Mexico.

Identification
Valenzuela-Gonzalez et al. (2017) - Adelomyrmex dorae may be recognized by the smooth and shiny spots on its genae, the completely black mesosoma, the slightly sinuous but somewhat longitudinally oriented rugae of the lateral and the dorsal faces of the pronotum and the smooth and shiny sculpture of the anterior margin of the postpetiole.

Adelomyrmex dorae can be distinguished from all other Adelomyrmex species by the following combination of character states: 1) the smooth and shiny spots on its genae, 2) the completely black mesosoma, 3) the slightly sinuous but somewhat longitudinally oriented rugae of the lateral and the dorsal faces of the pronotum and 4) the smooth and shiny sculpture of the anterior margin of the postpetiole. Based on the morphological characters of A. dorae, we suggest that it belongs to a species group called “Central American species”, which is composed of the species Adelomyrmex dentivagans, Adelomyrmex mackayi, Adelomyrmex nortenyo and Adelomyrmex quetzal (Longino 2012). This species group has some synapomorphies such as the lack of a posterior triangular projection on the postpetiole, which extends over the gaster and is closely appressed to it as in Adelomyrmex silvestrii. Species of this group also have a mandible without differentiated basal and masticatory margins. Finally, if we count from the basal tooth on the basal margin (near the mandibular insertion), the second tooth is closer to the basal tooth than to the third tooth (Longino 2012).

According to the morphological characters we observed, A. dorae and Adelomyrmex quetzal are similar in the color of their head and gaster (completely black), face and promesonotum sculpture (linearly rugose with longitudinal orientation) and postpetiole shape (quadrate). Both species also have similar HW, wherein the HW range of A. quetzal (0.67–0.71 mm) falls within that of A. dorae (0.56–0.82 mm). However, Adelomyrmex dorae may be differentiated from A. quetzal by its well-impressed metanotal groove, black color of the mesosoma, rugose sculpture of the propodeum, suberect setae on the gaster, quadrate petiole and its promesonotum, which is slightly elevated above the dorsal face of the propodeum. Meanwhile, some morphological similarities also exist between A. dorae and Adelomyrmex nortenyo such as their impressed metanotal groove, linearly rugose sculpture of the face and propodeum, suberect setae on the gaster and their promesonotum, which is slightly elevated above the dorsal face of the propodeum. Size was not a useful character to separate these species because the HW of A. nortenyo ranges between 0.64–0.69 mm. A. dorae can be differentiated from A. nortenyo by the color of the head, mesosoma and gaster; the sculpture and orientation of the rugae on the promesonotum and the shape of the petiole and postpetiole. In addition, similarities between A. dorae and Adelomyrmex dentivagans are observed in the sculpture and orientation of the rugae on the promesonotum and the propodeum as well as the shape of the petiole, the postpetiole and the promesonotum, wherein the latter is elevated above the dorsal face of the propodeum. Adelomyrmex dorae differs from A. dentivagans in its metanotal groove, color of head, mesosoma and gaster, face sculpture and aspect of the setae on the gaster in profile view. Finally, the similar Adelomyrmex cristiani is easily differentiated from A. dorae by the light brown color of its head, mesosoma and gaster in addition to its paler legs and antennae. Adelomyrmex cristiani is a small-sized ant (HW between 0.44–0.55 mm); in fact, it is one of the smaller species of the genus (Fernández 2003).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Mexico.

Nomenclature

 *  dorae. Adelomyrmex dorae Garcia-Martinez, in Valenzuela-Gonzalez et al., 2017: 716, figs. 2-7 (w.) MEXICO.

Worker
(n = 45) EL = 0.07 (0.05–0.12), FSH = 0.09 (0.08–0.10), GSH = 0.13 (0.11–0.13), HL = 0.67 (0.61–0.82), HW = 0.63 (0.56–0.82), MSH = 0.10 (0.9–0.11), MW = 0.41 (0.39–0.53), PH = 0.25 (0.23–0.32), PL = 0.29 (0.11–0.39), PPH = 0.21 (0.19–0.26), PPL = 0.10 (0.07–0.28), PPW = 0.20 (0.18–0.26), PSL = 0.06 (0.02–0.61), PW = 0.19 (0.16–0.25), SL = 0.44 (0.39–0.53), WL = 0.69 (0.62–0.82).

Head: mandible without differentiated masticatory and basal margins. Six distinct teeth distributed from apex to base; fifth tooth closer to sixth (basal) tooth than to fourth tooth. Deep notch located between sixth tooth and basal condyle. Dorsal surface of mandible has several coarse longitudinal striae and some large piligerous puncta. In full face view, lateral clypeal teeth project from beneath clypeal shelf; located on anterior (ventral) margin of clypeus, separate from the transverse carina that forms the clypeal shelf. Eye composed of 9–12 ommatidia. Face fully sculptured with longitudinal rugae. Scape has abundant and long subdecumbent pubescence. Clypeus and frontal carinae have few long, erect setae. Posterior and posterolateral margins of head have subdecumbent setae. Anterior and mid-section of tibia have sparse and subdecumbent setae; hind section has abundant subdecumbent setae. In profile view, dorsal surface of head has long, abundant and erect setae. Mesosoma: Short anterior face of pronotum separated from dorsal face by an elevated transverse ruga. In profile view, dorsal surface of promesonotum and propodeum appears as an arched convexity with an impressed metanotal groove. Propodeal spines are pronounced and acute. Space between propodeal spines forms broad concavity without distinct dorsal and posterior faces; smooth and shiny with few transverse rugae. Rest of mesosoma has marked linear and longitudinal rugae. Petiolar and postpetiolar nodes quadrate with differentiated anterior, dorsal and posterior faces. Lateral sides of petiole and postpetiole have coarse, irregular rugae; dorsal surface transversely rugose. In dorsal view, postpetiole is slightly longer than wide, and both anterior and posterior margins are rounded. In profile, dorsal surfaces of promesonotum relatively long, sparse and erect setae. Gaster: Gaster completely black, smooth and shiny. In profile view, dorsal surfaces of gaster relatively long, sparse and sub-erect setae.

Queen
EL = 0.14, FSH = 0.09, GSH = 0.20, HL = 0.70, HW = 0.71, MSH = 0.12, MW = 0.54, PH = 0.28, PL= 0.36, PPH = 0.24, PPL = 0.09, PPW = 0.26, PSL = 0.07, PW = 0.21, SL = 0.47, WL = 0.79.

MEXICO: Veracruz, San Andrés Tlalnelhuayocan, Chivizcoyo; 19.515693, -97.005495, 1,624 m; 1 Nov 2015, riparian cloud forest, leaf-litter, Winkler (1 queen), G. Pérez & M. García leg., IEXA ANTWEB 1008923. Queens similar to workers except for queen-specific characters like large compound eyes (with 28–46 ommatidia), three ocelli and enlarged mesosoma with queen-typical sclerites. Pronotum medially smooth with a few laterally and longitudinally oriented rugae. Dorsal promesonotum has a large, semicircular, smooth, shiny spot. Scutellum smooth and shiny with a few lateral and longitudinal rugae. Katepisternum longitudinally and dorsally rugose with a smooth and shiny spot which has a lunula shape (like two intersecting circles). Anepisternum ventrally smooth and longitudinally rugose dorsally. Side of propodeum longitudinally rugose.

Type Material


Paratypes. MEXICO: Veracruz, Coatepec, La Cortadura, 19.495142, -97.036217, 2,032 m, 21 Jul 2011, riparian cloud forest, leaflitter, Winkler (1 worker), F. Escobar & F. Alvarado leg., IEXA ANTWEB 1008907; (1 worker) same data as previous, except IEXA ANTWEB 1008908; (1 worker) same data as previous, except 2 May 2012, IEXA ANTWEB 1008909; Ixhuacán de Los Reyes, Puente Buenavista, 19.403812, -97.086806, 1,764 m, 2 May 2012, riparian cloud forest, leaflitter, Berlese (1 worker), F. Escobar & F. Alvarado leg., IEXA ANTWEB 1008910; (1 worker) same data as previous, except Winkler, IEXA ANTWEB 1008911; San Andrés Tlalnelhuayocan, Piedra Parada, 19.516597, -97.010241, 1,651 m, 15 Jul 2011, riparian cloud forest, leaf-litter, Berlese (1 worker), F. Escobar & F. Alvarado leg., IEXA ANTWEB 1008912; (1 worker) same data as previous, except 2 May 2012, IEXA ANTWEB 1008913; San Andrés Tlalnelhuayocan, Pixquiac, 19.534610, -96.997899, 1,546 m, 13 Jul 2011, riparian cloud forest, leaflitter, Winkler (1 worker), F. Escobar & F. Alvarado leg., IEXA ANTWEB 1008914; (1 worker) same data as previous, except 2 May 2012, IEXA ANTWEB 1008915; San Andrés Tlalnelhuayocan, Tony, 19.515627, -97.003356, 1,601 m, 15 Jul 2011, riparian cloud forest, leaf-litter, Berlese (1 worker), F. Escobar & F. Alvarado leg., IEXA ANTWEB 1008916; (1 worker) same data as previous, except Winkler, IEXA ANTWEB 1008917; Xico, Micoxtla, 19.456083, -97.030683, 1,730 m, 14 Jul 2011, riparian cloud forest, leaf-litter, Berlese (1 worker), F. Escobar & F. Alvarado leg., IEXA ANTWEB 1008918; (1worker) same data as previous, except 2 May 2012, Winkler, IEXA ANTWEB 1008919; Xico, Xico Viejo, 19.451513, -97.058816, 1,759 m, 2 May 2012, riparian cloud forest, leaf-litter, Berlese (1 worker), F. Escobar & F. Alvarado leg., IEXA ANTWEB 1008920; ( 1 worker) same data as previous, except 19 Jul 2011, Winkler, IEXA ANTWEB 1008921; Xico, Oxtlapa, 19.414687, -97.056158, 1,699 m, 15 Nov 2000, riparian cloud forest, soil, pitfall (1 worker), E. Montes de Oca leg., IEXA ANTWEB 1008922; Coatepec, 19.513810, -97.020980, 1,970 m; 05 Mar 2015, riparian cloud forest, leaf-litter, maxiWinkler (1 worker), M. G. Branstetter leg., JTLC CASENT0640883; (1 worker) same data as holotype worker, except CAS ANTWEB 1008924; (1 worker) same data as holotype worker, except UDEG ANTWEB 1008925; (1 worker) same data as holotype worker, except UNAM ANTWEB 1008926; (1 worker) same data as holotype worker, except COLPOS ANTWEB 1008927; (1 worker) same data as holotype worker, except ECOSUR ANTWEB 1008928; (1 worker) same data as holotype worker, except MAGMC ANTWEB 1008929; (1 worker) same data as holotype worker, except FACBAC ANTWEB 1008930; (1 worker) same data as holotype worker, except USNM ANTWEB 1008931; (1 worker) same data as holotype worker, except KYFMC ANTWEB 1008932.

Etymology
The epithet of this species is dedicated to our colleague and friend Dora Luz Martínez Tlapa, who found the first individuals of these Adelomyrmex ants during sample processing. The name is treated as nouns in apposition.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Dattilo W. et al. 2019. MEXICO ANTS: incidence and abundance along the Nearctic-Neotropical interface. Ecology https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.2944