Nylanderia tococae

Identification
Wheeler and Bequaert (1929) - This form approaches vividula but is clearly distinct in the shape of the head of the worker, the pronounced reticulate sculpture of the head and gaster and the shape of the genital appendages of the male.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Brazil.

Nomenclature

 *  tococae. Paratrechina (Nylanderia) tococae Wheeler, W.M. & Bequaert, 1929: 38 (w.m.) BRAZIL. Combination in Nylanderia: Kempf, 1972a: 168; in Paratrechina: Brandão, 1991: 368; in Nylanderia: LaPolla, Brady & Shattuck, 2010a: 127.

Worker
Length 2.3-2.6,mm.

Head broadly subelliptical, about-one-fifth longer than broad, with slightly convex posterior border, as broad in front as behind. Eyes flat, about one-fifth as long as the sides of the head. Mandibles narrow, slender, with very oblique 6-toothed blades, which when closed are concealed under the clypeus; the latter convex, almost subcarinate, its anterior border entire and broadly-rounded. Antennae slender; scapes extending two-fifths their length beyond the posterior border of the head. Thorax shaped much as in P. vividula NYL. Pronotum broader than long, with rather prominent humeri, together with the mesonotum evenly and not very convexly rounded above; mesoepinotal constriction well-developed, with prominent spiracles. Epinotum anteriorly convex, nearly as high as the mesonotum, passing rather rapidly into the declivity which is distinctly concave below. Petiole from above trapezoidal, broader in front than behind, the node at its anterior end very low and somewhat sinuate in the middle. Gaster rather large.

Moderately shining; head and gaster distinctly reticulate, the former somewhat more opaque than the latter. Mandibles with sparse piligerous punctures.

Erect hairs coarse, brownish black, pointed, numerous on the head and gaster, sparse and shorter on the scapes, tibiae and femora; reduced to two pairs on the mesonotum, absent on the epinotum. Pubescence pale, appressed, rather dilute on the body; longer and more abundant on the head, fine on the scapes and legs.

Dark brown; thorax somewhat paler; borders of gastric segment, coxae and legs dull yellowish; middle portions of femora and tibiae infuscated; mandibles reddish.

Male
Length 2-2.4 mm.

Head through eyes slightly broader than long, subtrapezoidal, narrowed behind, with rather straight posterior and lateral borders. Eyes large, convex, somewhat more than two-fifths as long as the sides of the head. Mandibles small, narrow, 4-toothed. Clypeus resembling that of the worker. Antennal scapes extending one-half their length beyond the posterior border of the head. Thorax broadest through the mesonotum and gradually narrowed posteriorly. Petiole as in the worker. Genitalia resembling those of vividula but distinct in having the longer ramus of the median pair ending in an acute point and the inner pair more ovoid.

Sculpture, pilosity and color much as in the worker, but the dark erect hairs less numerous and the pubescence much less distinct. The color, especially of the gaster and ventral portions of the thorax paler and the middle portions of the femora and tibiae not infuscated. Wings grayish, with rather pale gray veins; tegulae black.

Type Material
Numerous specimens of both phases from a flourishing colony taken August 25 at Carvoeiro in the leaf-sacs of Tococa longisepala Cogniaux.