Pogonomyrmex kusnezovi

Nest entrances are exposed, and built in an open area, with no vegetation surrounding the nest. Workers were relatively abundant and conspicuous on the ground. (N. Kusnezov).

Identification
Cuezzo & Claver (2009) - Scape short (SI: 62-66), longitudinally striated, with suberect hairs, without pubescence. Clypeal area between frontal lobes with 3-4 rugae always present. Upper propodeal spine short and stout, connected by conspicuous keel to contralateral tooth. Lower propodeal spine present, triangular and well developed.

This species is close to Pogonomyrmex andinus from which it can be differentiated by the following characters: CI: 101-103. P. kusnezovi is larger than P. andinus, with shorter scape, and darker body. The development of the upper and lower propodeal spine is another useful character to distinguish both species.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Argentina.

Nomenclature

 *  kusnezovi. Pogonomyrmex kusnezovi Cuezzo & Claver, 2009: 105, figs. 3, 4 (w.) ARGENTINA.

Worker
Holotype (1) (Paratype variations in parentheses, n=3, notation: minimum-maximum). HL: 1.725 (1.725-1.975); HW: 1. 9 (1.925-2.1); SL: 1.2 (1.275-1.3); DFL: 0.725 (0.725-0.775); EL: 0.35 (0.35-0.375); OCD: 0.45 (0.45-0.5); PW: 1.05 (0.95-1.05); WL: 1.825 (1.825-2.25); CI: 110 (101-106); SI: 63 (62-66).

Head orange to reddish, with anterior clypeal margin, mandible and antennae dark brown to blackish; mesosoma, petiole, postpetiole and gaster black to blackish brown. Dorsal surface of body with long and whitish setae, sparsely distributed.

Head: slightly wider than long (CI= 101-106). In full face view, striate. Rugae diverging toward occipital corners. Area between rugae, on dorsal surface of head, shagreened. Posterior margin of head slightly concave and covered with longitudinal rugae, without transverse rugae. Mandible strongly striated with six-seven teeth, external margin broadly convex in dorsal view. Anterior clypeal margin convex, bidentate. Clypeal area between frontal lobes with 3-4 rugae always present. Eye convex slightly protruding from sides of head, centered on midpoint of side of head. Scape surpassing midpoint between posterior edge of eye and occipital margin. Scape longitudinally striated, with suberect hairs, without pubescence. Psammophore well developed, with long setae forming a basket-like structure beneath head.

Mesosoma: profile straight and continuous, metanotal groove not evident. Pronotal collar not transversely striated. Humerus with rounded angle, weakly developed. Anterior surface of pronotum transversally rugulose. Dorsal surface of pro and mesonotum rugulose, with coarse and conspicuous rugae longitudinally disposed. Propodeum, in full face view, rugulose; rugae transversely disposed. Procoxa without rugae, shagreened and dull. Upper propodeal spine short and stout, connected by conspicuous keel to contralatereal tooth. Ventral propodeal tooth present, triangular and well developed, placed in the posterior ventral corner of propodeum.

Petiole: Node longer than wide, anterior face short and vertical, without sculpture. Peduncle mostly smooth and shining, short, about as long as node, with very weak ventral process.

Postpetiole: Dorsal face with tranversal rugae. Ventral process absent.

Gaster: First segment with very fine striolation disposed longitudinally and covering all the dorsal surface of segment.

Type Material
Holotype worker (1w) and three paratype workers #5712 Argentina, Río Negro, Conesa, 10-I-1950, Kusnezov, coll, deposited at collection, Tucumán, Argentina.

Etymology
The species name honors the labor of Dr. Nicolas Kusnezov, a pioneer myrmecologist in the studies of Argentinean ant fauna.