Lenomyrmex mandibularis

The queen and twelve workers were collected in a scar or knothole in the stem of a Palicourea sp. (Rubiaceae). Such scars were present in all branches, with some containing larvae not accompanied by workers (not collected, collector field notes). In one cavity, together with the workers and the queen, an unidentified worker of Gnamptogenys was collected. An additional worker of Lenomyrmex was collected on a leaf in daylight; but it is not known if it was found on the same plant species as the one containing the nest. A second series of workers of Lenomyrmex with callow workers was collected under rotten logs. All the collections from slightly disturbed primary montane forest.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Colombia.

Nomenclature

 *  mandibularis. Lenomyrmex mandibularis Fernández & Palacio, 1999: 8, figs. 1-3 (w.q.) COLOMBIA.

Worker
Holotype (paratypes n = 18). TL: 4.10 (4.14–4.22); HL: 0.86 (0.86–0.88); HW: 0.68 (0.68–0.72); ML: 0.36 (0.36–0.38); SL: 0.57 (0.56–0.60); EL: 0.17 (0.17– 0.20); WL: 1.12 (1.12–1.16); PL: 0.54 (0.54–0.56); PW: 0.21 (0.21–0.22); PPL: 0.28 (0.28–0.30); PPW: 0.24 (0.24–0.25); GL: 0.94 (0.96–0.98); GW: 0.66 (0.67–0.70); CI: 0.79 (0.79– 0.82); OI: 0.25 (0.25–0.28).

Worker description. Mandibles elongate, triangular with masticatory margin crenulated, 3 3 longer than basal margin and with a series of 17 or 18 tiny sclerotized blunt peg-like denticles arising along and immediately behind masticatory margin (Fig. 2b). Clypeus without carinae, apical margin mostly convex and with a slight median angle; posterior margin barely projects outward between frontal carinae. Frontal lobes inconspicuous, little expanded sideways, only partially covering antennal condyles. Antennal fossae large, deep, 1.5 3 longer than broad. Antennal scrobes absent. Head with a broadly convex posterior margin in full face view, maximum width just behind eyes, tapering slightly posterad. Compound eyes large, protruding, with 8 or 9 facets along maximum diameter. Mesosomal profile with pronotum, mesonotum and propodeum differentiated (Fig. 1a). Metanotal impression slightly marked. Propodeum with 2 long, acute spines, length approximately equal to distance between bases. Inferior propodeal lobes as broadly triangular teeth. Femora claviform, slender basally, very broadened towards apices. Meso- and metatibiae without spurs. Tarsal claws simple, elongated. Petiole long, fusiform, pedunculate; petiolar node scarcely differentiated, anterior face meeting dorsal surface of peduncle in a slight concavity; subpetiolar process antero-ventral, directed forward, widely triangular in anteroventral view, compressed in anterior posterior direction giving appearance of a spine in side view; anterolateral edges of process continue dorsally toward sides of petiolar peduncle. Postpetiole dome-like, without a ventral process. Mandibles smooth, slightly shining. Head densely rugoreticulate. Pronotum with dorsal striae extending laterally towards propleural margin; sides of pronotum with irregular smooth, shining areas. Mesonotum transversely striated. Mesopleuron with some irregular longitudinal striae but otherwise smooth, shining. Propodeal dorsum shining, withweak longitudinal striae. Metapleuron with irregular longitudinal striation. Petiole with dorsolateral longitudinal striae, 7–16 and granulations inferolaterally and ventrally. Postpetiole mostly smooth, shining, with some longitudinal striae dorsolaterally and granulations ventrolaterally. Gaster smooth, shining except for dense punctures on pygidium and hypopygium. Clypeal apical margin with several short, erect hairs. Head with numerous short decumbent hairs and some scattered longer suberect hairs. Scapes with abundant decumbent hairs shorter than maximum scape diameter. Funiculus with numerous short decumbent hairs. Mesosoma, petiole, postpetiole and gaster almost without hairs except for one on each side of pronotal dorsum, 2 on petiole, several on postpetiole and numerous long hairs on pygidium and hypopygium. Legs with abundant short decumbent hairs and several erect, longer hairs on each tarsal apex. Head, scapes, mesosoma, petiole, postpetiole and anterior part of gaster dark brown; legs and coxae lighter; antennal club, mandibles and gastric apex yellowish brown.

Queen
Queen (paratype). From the same locality as the holotype worker.

Queen measurements. TL: 4.66; HL: 0.92; HW: 0.76; ML: 0.36; SL: 0.63; EL: 0.20; WL: 1.34; PL: 0.58; PW: 0.24; PPL: 0.34; PPW: 0.27; GL: 1.12; GW: 0.84; CI: 0.83; OI: 0.26. Queen diagnosis. As the worker, differing in the following characters. Three ocelli scarcely visible. Thorax larger; mesoscutum rugulose with some longitudinal rugae toward median line; scutellum with longitudinal striae; axillae rugoreticulate; mesopleuron with anepisternum clearly separated from katepisternum by a suture; anepisternum longitudinally striate; katepisternum with longitudinal oblique striation; propodeal dorsum with transverse striae; suberect pilosity more frequent on thorax and gaster. Mesosomal pilosity more abundant than in workers.

Type Material
Holotype worker. COLOMBIA, Nariño, Ricaurte, Reserva La Planada, 1°59N, 77°249W 1800 m, montane rain forest, H no. 9, 1.iii.95 (Catalina Estrada). Paratypes. One queen and 6 workers from the same locality, 1.iii.1995; 11 workers from the same locality, 10.iii.95. The queen and a paratype worker deposited in, other paratype workers deposited in: , , , , , , WPMC.

Etymology
From the Latin mandibula, in reference to the conspicuous mandibles of the species.