Crematogaster patei

Morgan & Mackay (2017) report finding workers of this species foraging in a desert scrub with stony clay soil, but nothing more is known concerning the biology of this rarely collected species.

Identification
Buren (1968) - This is a very distinct species, clearly separable from all other related species by the erect and abundant pubescence. In this character it shows a striking resemblance to Crematogaster pilosa, but the two species are not alike otherwise and belong in different species groups. The slender, sharp, and shining epinotal spines of patei also provide a good diagnostic character. Similar spines are possessed by Crematogaster dentinodis but this species has a punctate epinotal declivity, as well as short, appressed pubescence and differently arranged pilosity.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Mexico.

Nomenclature

 *  patei. Crematogaster (Crematogaster) patei Buren, 1968b: 107 (w.) MEXICO.

Worker
Length about 3.5 mm.

Head, excluding mandibles, a little broader than long, with feebly convex sides and nearly straight posterior border giving a somewhat oblong appearance. Antennae slender; scapes surpassing hind corners of head by one or two diameters, and shaped as in Crematogaster vermiculata (as colei) and Crematogaster coarctata, the thickest part well before the apex. Humeri of pronotum apparent. Pro-mesonotum somewhat flattened in profile; mesonotal declivity absent or very short, not angulate. Mesonotal carina confined to front of mesonotum only, short but rather sharp and strong. Epinotal spines shining, very slender, divergent, of moderate length but less than interbase or thoracic least width. Petiole rather angularly trapezoidal, broader than long, an anterioventral tooth present. Hemilobes of postpetiole produced latero-posterially, the sulcus between a deep concave impression which becomes very wide posteriorly. In profile the overlap of the hemilobes is bluntly angulate.

Mandibles striate. Clypeus striate and with intercalated punctures. Genae densely punctate and with some rather widely spaced, faint striae, a few of which are carried past the eyes. Rest of dorsum of head densely punctate except short, narrow median streak on front. Venter of head nearly all punctate. Entire thorax, except declivity of epinotum and spines, densely punctate. Some faint, irregular rugae sometimes present on front of pronotum but otherwise with only the one type of sculpture. Petiole and postpetiole also densely punctate. Gaster with fine, weak puncturing, subshining.

Pubescent hairs long, numerous, and erect on all surfaces including scapes, legs, and gaster, and difficult to distinguish from the normally erect hairs, which they closely simulate in length and appearance. Of the normal erect hairs there appear to be several on the pronotum, a pair or two at rear of mesonotum, several accessory pairs on petiole and postpetiole and to be rather numerous and evenly scattered on the gaster. But the pubescent hairs are so similar that there could be as many interpretations as observers. Dark brown, the head and gaster darker than the thorax. The gaster may have been black in life.

Type Material
Tampico, state of Tamaulipas, Mexico.

Holotype worker and three para type workers labeled simply- Tampico, Mexico, Locke. These have been loaned from the collection of Dr. W. M. Mann in the National Museum and will be returned, except for a single paratype which I will retain.

Etymology
This species is named in honor of the late Dr. V. S. L. Pate, whose kindly and helpful advice during my studies at Cornell University is gratefully remembered.