Solenopsis schilleri

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
A New World thief ant that is a member of the nigella species complex.

Pacheco and Mackay (2013) – Worker - This is a dark brown, (possibly black when collected and faded through time) moderately large species. The clypeus is extremely concave between the lateral clypeal teeth which are well developed. The eye is relatively large and contains approximately 50-60 ommatidia. Vertical striae are located from the anterior edge of the frontal lobes to below the eye on the anterior portion of the head. The dorsal margin of the mesosoma in profile is relatively straight with the pronotum, mesopleuron and propodeum at a nearly equal level, however slanted posteriorly toward the gaster. Both the mesopleuron and the sides of the propodeum are completely striated. There is sculpturing present both on the side of the petiole and on the base of the postpetiole.

This species may be confused with Solenopsis andina and Solenopsis metanotalis. Solenopsis schilleri does not have striae on the pronotum as seen with S. metanotalis, but does have striae higher on the mesopleuron than S. andina. Additionally, S. metanotalis has longer lateral clypeal teeth. Solenopsis andina has straighter sides of the head and S. schilleri is slightly more rounded. Additionally, S. andina has less developed clypeal carinae than S. schilleri.


 * Key to New World Solenopsis Species Complexes

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Argentina.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 * . Solenopsis schilleri Santschi, 1923c: 263, fig. 3c (w.) ARGENTINA (Neuquén).
 * Type-material: holotype worker.
 * Type-locality: Argentina: Neuquén, Challacito (Schiller).
 * Type-depository: NHMB.
 * Combination in S. (Euophthalma): Creighton, 1930b: 136.
 * Status as species: Creighton, 1930b: 136; Santschi, 1933e: 115; Ettershank, 1966: 143; Kempf, 1972a: 239; Bolton, 1995b: 391; Pacheco & Mackay, 2013: 297 (redescription).
 * Distribution: Argentina.

Worker
Pacheco and Mackay (2013) - Measurements (n=1). TL 2.40; HL 0.660; HW 0.600; EL 0.120; ED 0.108; SL 0.480; FSL 0.240; CI 90.9; SI 72.7; PL 0.090; PW 0.138; PI 65.2; PPL 0.150; PPW 0.180; PPI 83.3; WL 0.480; PSL 0.030; PSW 0.024.

Dark brown, moderately large; head longer than wide, rounded sides; clypeus strongly concave between lateral clypeal teeth, lateral teeth well developed, extralateral teeth present as minute bumps (difficult to see); clypeal carinae well developed, extend posteriorly to frontal lobes; vertical striae on frontal lobes, gena and clypeus, reaching mandible insertion; scapes long, nearly reach posterior lateral corner of head; eye relatively large, approximately 50-60 ommatidia; dorsal margin of mesosoma viewed laterally relatively straight with pronotum, mesopleuron and propodeum at nearly equal level, but slanted posteriorly toward gaster; mesopleuron and side of the propodeum horizontally striated; notopropodeal suture depressed, groove breaks sculpture of mesosoma; propodeal spiracle small; propodeal posterior margin angular; petiole wider than postpetiole viewed laterally; petiolar node triangular with well-defined tooth on subpeduncular process; postpetiole rhomboid viewed laterally.

Relatively few hairs present on all body surfaces; posterior margin of head with fewer than 10 hairs present (dorsal view); scape with abundant appressed hairs; mesosoma with erect and suberect hairs of various lengths (viewed in profile); petiole, postpetiole and gaster with several suberect hairs of various lengths, angled posteriorly.

Type Material
Sammlung, Dr. F. Santschi, Kairouan, Argentina, Neuquen, 1252 Challacito, D. Schiller. (holotype worker ).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Cuezzo, F. 1998. Formicidae. Chapter 42 in Morrone J.J., and S. Coscaron (dirs) Biodiversidad de artropodos argentinos: una perspectiva biotaxonomica Ediciones Sur, La Plata. Pages 452-462.
 * Kempf, W.W. 1972. Catalago abreviado das formigas da regiao Neotropical (Hym. Formicidae) Studia Entomologica 15(1-4).
 * Pacheco J. A., and W. P. Mackay. 2013. The systematics and biology of the New World thief ants of the genus Solenopsis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Lewiston, New York: Edwin Mellen Press, 501 pp.
 * Santschi F. 1933. Fourmis de la République Argentine en particulier du territoire de Misiones. Anales de la Sociedad Cientifica Argentina. 116: 105-124.