Pseudomyrmex ferox

An obligate inhabitant of Tachigali. Workers are aggressive defenders of their nesting plant.

Identification
Ward (1999) - Pseudomyrmex ferox can be identified by the broad worker head, subtriangular petiolar profile, and intermediate leg length (longer than most species but shorter than Pseudomyrmex eculeus and Pseudomyrmex pictus). The well-separated frontal carinae, moderately broad profemur, and convex dorsal face of the propodeum are also characteristic.

Distribution
Known from several scattered locations in northern Peru, Colombia and Brazil.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Brazil, Colombia, Peru.

Nomenclature

 *  ferox. Pseudomyrmex ferox Ward, 1999b: 519, figs. 43, 52, 61 (w.q.m.) PERU.

Worker
Measurements (n=13). HL 1.05–1.29, HW 1.06–1.26, MFC 0.041–0.064, LHT 0.81–0.96, CI 0.93–1.01, REL 0.60–0.65, REL2 0.61–0.67, FCI 0.04–0.05, FI 0.43–0.47, PLI 1.07–1.26, PWI 0.89–1.00.

A member of the sericeus group. Palp formula: usually 6,4 but 5, 3 in at least one worker. Frontal carinae well separated; head broad, with convex sides; posterior margin of head flat or (more commonly) slightly concave, in frontal view. Profemur moderately slender (see FI values); legs moderately long (LHT/HL 0.72–0.77). Dorsal face of propodeum somewhat convex in profile, subequal in length to declivitous face, and rounding gradually into it; propodeal spiracle distant from basal (dorsal) face of propodeum. Petiole short, high, subtriangular in profile, with a single convex anterodorsal face, which rounds gently into the steep posterior face. Anteroventral process moderately well developed, usually subtriangular, with a blunt, posteroventrally-directed tooth or angle. Standing pilosity sparse but more common than is usual for the species group. Long, golden, paired (and often curved) setae present on pronotum (2–5 pairs), petiole (1–2 pairs) and postpetiole (1–2 pairs), less commonly on mesonotum or propodeum; these setae sometimes unpaired, or accompanied by one or two additional shorter setae. Dark brown to brownish black, with appendages and frontoclypeal complex orange-brown; antennae and parts of middle and hind legs infuscated.

Type Material
Holotype worker. PERU, San Martin: 8 km ENE Tarapoto, 6°27’S, 76°18’W, 700 m, 19.viii.1986, ex Tachigali, P. S. Ward# 8604. HW 1.25, HL 1.24, EL 0.76, PL 0.42, PH 0.46.

Paratypes. Same data as holotype: series of workers, queens, males (,, MCZC, , , , ).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Fernández, F. and S. Sendoya. 2004. Lista de las hormigas neotropicales. Biota Colombiana Volume 5, Number 1.
 * Ryder Wilkie K.T., A. L. Mertl, and J. F. A. Traniello. 2010. Species Diversity and Distribution Patterns of the Ants of Amazonian Ecuador. PLoS ONE 5(10): e13146.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0013146
 * Ward P. S. 1999. Systematics, biogeography and host plant associations of the Pseudomyrmex viduus group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Triplaris- and Tachigali-inhabiting ants. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 126: 451-540