Brachymyrmex feitosai

The specimen from São Paulo at Sete Barras [ANTWEB CASENT 0217326] was collected in a pristine region of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. It was obtained in an underground trap, possibly indicating this species has hypogaeic habits (R.M. Feitosa, pers. comm.). Habitat information is lacking for the other specimens.

Identification
This species differs from most other Brachymyrmex species by the presence of tumuliform metathoracic spiracles (see key for image of this character), and clypeus with five long, erect hairs arranged as follows: one central hair near to the anterior margin, usually conspicuous; one pair of lateral hairs at clypeus midlength and one pair of hairs near the toruli. Like Brachymyrmex delabiei it differs from Brachymyrmex brasiliensis by its entirely smooth and shiny body. B. feitosai can be diagnosed from B. delabiei by the dense pubescence on the first gastral segment and by the presence of many suberect hairs on the pronotum and mesonotum. (Ortiz & Fernández, 2014)

Key to Brachymyrmex with tumuliform metathoracic spiracles

Distribution
Brazil: states of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and, São Paulo.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Brazil.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  feitosai. Brachymyrmex feitosai Ortiz & Fernández, 2014: 27, figs. 25-28 (w) BRAZIL.

Worker
Holotype measurements (mm). HL1 0.40; HL20.28; HL3 0.09; HW 0.36; SL 0.31; EL 0.10; WL 0.45; PnL 0.18; PnW 0.28; ML 0.09; MW 0.18; Indices CI 88.8; SI1 87.5; SI2 88.6; OI 27.5. Paratypes measurements (mm) (n=2) HL1 0.33 – 0.43; HL2 0.27 – 0.29; HL3 0.07 – 0.10; HW 0.29 – 0.39; SL 0.26 – 0.34; EL 0.06 – 0.10; WL 0.33 – 0.45; PnL 0.08 – 0.15; PnW 0.20 – 0.24; ML 0.05 – 0.11; MW 0.13 – 0.17; Indices CI 82 – 90; SI1 88 – 103; SI2105 – 113; OI 22 – 29. Additional material examined (mm) (n=3) HL1 0.40 – 0.43; HL20.27 – 0.29; HL3 0.09; HW 0.35 – 0.39; SL 0.31; EL 0.10; WL 0.42 – 0.45; PnL 0.09 – 0.18; PnW 0.25 – 0.28; ML 0.08 – 0.12; MW 0.17 – 0.19; Indices CI 88 – 89; SI1 81 – 88; SI288 – 94; OI 25 – 28.

Head slightly longer than wide. Posterior cephalic border slightly concave in the middle, and sides slightly convex. Clypeus with rounded anterior margin. Toruli surpassing the posterior clypeal margin (best observed in anterodorsal oblique view). Scapes reaching posterior margin of the head, but not surpassing it. Ocelli present. Eyes located below cephalic midline and well developed with 7–8 ommatidia at their maximum diameter.

Promesonotum convex in profile, mesonotum strongly convex and separated from pronotum. Metanotal groove present. Metathoracic spiracles dorsal, strongly protruding, fully dorsal, tumuliform, bulging out of the metanotal groove in lateral view, equidistant from the metanotal groove and the propodeal fold. Propodeum strongly convex with short dorsum. Propodeal spiracle round, elevated from integument on the propodeal border.

Body smooth and shiny. Petiole short, apex rounded and inclined forward. Scapes with suberect hairs. Clypeus with five long, erect hairs arranged as follows: one central hair near to the anterior margin, usually conspicuous; one pair of lateral hairs at clypeus midlength and one pair of hairs near to toruli. Dorsum of head, promesonotum and propodeum with conspicuous semi-erect hairs lighter than body color. Gaster with several scattered long erect hairs and with dense pubescence on the first gastral segment that is lighter in color. Body brown.

Type Material
Holotype and paratypes. 2 workers [USNM ENT 00757694]: Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Floresta de Tijuca, D. Federal. 16 Dec 1959, C.A: Campos Seabra. Additional material examined. 3 workers Brazil, Minas Gerais, Lavras, Ijaci e Perdões, 21°00'–21°19'S; 44°00'–45°07'W, Fragmento, 06 à 12/ 2002, cols. M.S. Santos & N.S. Dias [USNM ENT 00757836]; 1 worker, Brazil, São Paulo, Sete Barras, PE Carlos Botelho, 600 m, 24°12'02"S, 47°58'43"W. 11–15 May 2009, armadilha subterrânea #18, F. Esteves et al. cols. [ANTWEB CASENT 0217326].

Etymology
We are pleased to name this ant in honor of our friend and colleague, Dr Rodrigo Feitosa (Universidade Federal do Paraná) for his great contributions to ant taxonomy and his unconditional support for taxonomists, young and old.