Lenomyrmex foveolatus

Previously only known from the type locality in western Colombia, Departamento del Valle, Darién, middle Río Calima basin. A recent record near Alto Tambo extends the species geographic range 400 km south of the type locality. General habitat data is the same as in the Lenomyrmex hoelldobleri account, except that the frog was collected in a banana plantation. (Rabeling et al. 2016)

Identification
Rabeling et al. (2016) - Specimens from the Colombian type series could not been examined, but based on the Fernández and Palacio's (1999) description, the worker specimens collected from Ecuador closely resemble the specimens from Colombia. The main differences between the specimens belonging to these two populations are: (i) the fovea on dorsum of head are scattered in the Colombian specimens and more densely clustered in the Ecuadorian individuals; (ii) the specimens from Ecuador have rounded propodeal lobes differing from the acute propodeal lobes observed in the type series from Colombia; (iii) in the specimens from Ecuador the metapleural gland bulla is striate, and striae seem absent from bulla of the Colombian specimens.

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

Nomenclature

 *  foveolatus. Lenomyrmex foveolatus Fernández & Palacio, 1999: 13, fig. 8 (w.) COLOMBIA.
 * Queen description: Rabeling et al., 2016: 87.

Worker
Holotype (paratypes, n = 5). TL: 5.16 (4.89–5.16); HL: 0.98 (0.92–0.98); HW: 0.92 (0.88–0.92); ML: 0.44 (0.36–0.44); SL: 0.76 (0.68–0.76); WL: 1.42 (1.30–1.42); PL: 0.64 (0.56–0.64); PW: 0.28 (0.26–0.28); PPL: 0.36 (0.34– 0.36); PPW: 0.31 (0.27–0.31); GL: 1.32 (1.25–1.32); GW: 1.00 (0.96–1.00); CI: 0.94 (0.91–0.94); OI: 0.28 (0.25–0.28). Worker diagnosis. Similar to Lenomyrmex mandibularis with the following differences. Mandibles with 10–15 peg-like denticles. Eyes smaller in proportion to head with 7–9 ommatidia in maximum diameter. Posterolateral corners of propodeum angulate, without spines. Petiolar node inconspicuous, less defined than in Lenomyrmex mandibularis, with posterior face longer, less steep. Mesosoma, petiole and gaster mostly smooth, shining except for a few scattered punctures on pronotum, petiole and postpetiole. Head with scattered foveolae on dorsal surface, these becoming larger and more abundant ventrally. Surface of body without erect or suberect hairs, except for some on gastric apex. Darker than Lenomyrmex mandibularis, almost black, except for mandibles, antennae and dark brown legs

Rabeling et al. (2016) - HL: 0.81–0.90; HW: 0.73–0.83; ML: 0.42–0.47; SL: 0.61–0.73; EL: 0.17–0.20; WL: 1.06–1.42; PL: 0.65–0.73; PW: 0.21–0.23; PPL: 0.29–0.35; PPW: 0.25–0.28; GL: 0.98–1.34; TL: 4.31–5.19; CI: 90–94; MI: 51–57; OI: 0.25–0.28; SI 82–95 (n=7).

Queen
Rabeling et al. (2016) - HL: 0.91; HW: 0.83; ML: 0.49; SL: 0.75; EL: 0.23; WL: 1.47; PL: 0.78; PW: 0.25; PPL: 0.35; PPW: 0.29; GL: 1.41; TL: 5.40; CI: 91; MI: 55; OI: 0.29; SI 90 (n=1).

Dealate. As in the worker description (Fernández and Palacio 1999: 13–14) but mesosoma with caste-specific morphology related to wing-bearing and with the following differences: in full-face view, mid portion of anterior margin of clypeus weakly concave, forming a pair of lateral angles; compound eyes larger than in worker, with 12 ommatidia in maximum diameter; three small but conspicuous ocelli present. Dorsum of pronotum, mesoscutum, axillae, and scutellum lustrous and weakly coriaceous; dorsolateral portion of pronotum with small and sparse foveae; in dorsal view, posterior lateral portions of pronotum concave. In dorsal view, mesoscutum somewhat triangular anteriorly; parapsidal lines short, conspicuous; scuto-scutellar sulcus well-developed; posterior margin of scutellum subquadrate, lacking tubercles. Dorsum and declivity of propodeum lustrous; posterior margin of propodeum angulate, lacking tubercles or spines (as in worker). Mesopleuron clearly divided to anepisternum and katepisternum by oblique mesopleural sulcus. Pilosity of body consisting of small, simple, appressed hairs.

Type Material
Holotype worker. COLOMBIA, Valle, Darién, middle Rio Calima basin, Río Azul Camp, 550 m., 3°579N, 76°429W. 23- IV-1994, Rosa Aldana leg. Deposited in. Paratypes. Four workers from the same locality. Deposited in UDV,, and.

Rabeling et al. (2016) - Gyne. ECUADOR: Esmeraldas; Reserve Otokiki-Alto Tambo; elevation 723 meters above sea level; GPS coordinates: 0.918533, -78.566800; 08.vii.2013; from the stomach content of a female specimen (frog voucher number: CJ1658, SVL = 36.7 mm) of the Little Devil frog, Oophaga sylvatica; leg. L. A. O'Connell, E. E. Tapia, L. A. Coloma; unique ant specimen identifier: USNMENT01127956; deposited in.

Etymology
From the diminutive of the Latin fovea (pit), in reference to the foveolae that cover the head surface.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * 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.