Acanthognathus teledectus

The specimen (holotype worker) was found, alive and with the incredible mandibles opened to approximately 180, in thin humus immediately below a layer of leaf litter 1 cm. thick. No more specimens could be found in the vicinity.

Identification
This is the first member of the genus found in trans-Andean South America. The extremely long, heavily-armed mandibles and smooth integument distinguish it at once from the other known species.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Peru.

Nomenclature

 *  teledectus. Acanthognathus teledectus Brown & Kempf, 1969: 105, fig. 11 (w.) COLOMBIA. See also: Bolton, 2000: 17.

Type Material
Holotype a unique taken in lowland rain forest on the property of Carton de Colombia (a paper-manufacturing firm) in Bajo Calima, Municipio de Buenaventura, Departamento de Valle, Colombia. The collection was made near the then principal logging road on 16 March 1967, at Kilometer 10 northward from the com­pany's headquarters, R. B. Root and W. L. Brown, Jr., leg. The specimen was found, alive and with the incredible mandibles opened to approximately 180, in thin humus immediately below a layer of leaf litter 1 cm. thick. No more specimens could be found in the vicinity.

Worker
Holotype: Measurements and indices in Table. A large species, distinguished by the very narrow head and extremely long mandibles. In addition, the following character states: 1. Each mandible with 2 long and l short spiniform preapical teeth, also a well developed convex lamelliform welt beyond mid­ length, giving rise to a fine erectile trigger hair. 2. Clypeus very narrow. 3. Alitrunk slender, humeral angles low, obtuse, not strongly projecting. Propodeal dorsum flat; spines approximately straight, only slightly diverging, not quite as long as the distance between the centers of their bases, only slightly elevated. Petiole and postpetiole formed much as in Acanthognathus rudis, but relatively more slender (petiolar node 0.6 mm wide); node as seen from above oval, slightly longer than broad, and about half as long as its anterior peduncle. Postpetiole about 0.19 mm long and 0.18 mm  wide, nar­rower anteriad. 5. Body prevailing smooth and shining. A few indistinct fossae persist on anterior part of head, especially in the region in front of the eyes. Parts of lower sides of alitrunk, also petiolar peduncles in front and behind minutely and densely punctulate. 6. Clavate pilosity very sparse on  clypeus, cheeks, mandibles, upper vertex, humeral angles, spines and posterior faces of both nodes, and more abundant on antennal scapes, legs and underside of head.

Color light ferruginous; antennae, legs and gaster lighter, more yellowish.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bolton, B. 2000. The Ant Tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 65
 * Brandao, C.R.F. 1991. Adendos ao catalogo abreviado das formigas da regiao neotropical (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Rev. Bras. Entomol. 35: 319-412.
 * Fernández, F. and S. Sendoya. 2004. Lista de las hormigas neotropicales. Biota Colombiana Volume 5, Number 1.
 * INBio Collection (via Gbif)
 * Kempf, W.W. 1972. Catalago abreviado das formigas da regiao Neotropical (Hym. Formicidae) Studia Entomologica 15(1-4).
 * Longino J. T. 2013. Ants of Nicargua. Consulted on 18 Jan 2013. https://sites.google.com/site/longinollama/reports/ants-of-nicaragua
 * Longino J. T., and R. K. Colwell. 2011. Density compensation, species composition, and richness of ants on a neotropical elevational gradient. Ecosphere 2(3): 16pp.
 * Museo de Entomología de la Universidad del Valle (GBIF)
 * Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University (GBIF)
 * Ramón G., A. Barragán, and D. A. Donoso. 2013. Can clay banks increase the local ant species richness of a montane forest? In press: Métodos en Ecología y Sistemática 8: 37  53.