Thaumatomyrmex mandibularis

Identification
Head and mesosoma strongly sculptured. Head broader than long.

Distribution
Cuba: Santiago Province; Gran Piedra

Range
Known only from Cuba

Habitat
Leaf litter

Abundance
Rare

Biology
Feeds on millipedes

Foraging/Diet
Specialist on polyxenid millipedes

Colony Attributes
Very small colony size

Nesting Biology
Leaf litter

Taxonomy
mandibularis. Thaumatomyrmex mandibularis Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2003a: 272, figs. 4, 5 (w.) CUBA.

Type Material
Harvard University, Museum of Comparative Zoology

Type Locality Information
Holotype and paratype: Cuba: Santiago Province; Gran Piedra, Met. Radar, 6 XII 1995, 1100 meters, elfin forest, forest litter, Stewart Peck (MCZC)

Etymology
This species is named for its long mandibles, longest among Cuban Thaumatomyrmex.

Additional References
Baroni Urbani, C.; De Andrade, M. L. 2003b. The ant genus Thaumatomyrmex in Cuba (Hymentoptera: Formicidae) with description of two new species. Mitt. Schweiz. Entomol. Ges. 76: 263-277