Pseudomyrmex laevifrons

Identification
Ward (1989) - This is a small (worker HW 0.48-0.56, n=14) distinctive species with closely contiguous, anterodorsally elevated frontal carinae; a smooth, shiny, puncticulate head; long eyes; and, in the workers, an unusually shaped propodeum such that the basal and declivitous faces meet at a sharp angle.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica.

Biology
This species is distributed from Nicaragua to Bolivia and central Brazil, and has been recorded from tropical moist forest, rainforest, second-growth rainforest, and rainforest edge. Most collections consist of scattered foragers on low vegetation and on recent treefalls. Collected seven nest series, all from dead twigs of woody plants: two from vines, three from Melastomataceae trees, and two from unidentified plants.

Nomenclature

 * laeviceps. Pseudomyrma laeviceps Smith, F. 1877b: 63 (w.) BRAZIL. [Misspelled as leviceps by Dalla Torre, 1893: 57.] Combination in Pseudomyrmex: Kusnezov, 1964: 83. [Junior primary homonym of laeviceps Smith, F. 1859a: 145, above.]. Replacement name: laevifrons Ward, 1989: 440.
 *  laevifrons. Pseudomyrmex laevifrons Ward, 1989: 440. Replacement name for laeviceps Smith, F. 1877b: 63, above. [Junior primary homonym of laeviceps Smith, F. 1859a: 145.]

Pseudomyrma laeviceps

Holotype worker in. With two labels, “Aru 21” and “Aru.”

Description
Small species (HL 0.65–0.75, HW 0.47–0.55) with elongate head and eyes (CI 0.69–0.78, REL 0.57–0.64, REL2 0.79–0.87); masticatory margin of mandible with 5 teeth; palp formula 4,3; juncture between dorsal and declivitous faces of propodeum usually notably angulate, sometimes producing slight tubercles laterally; anterodorsal face of petiole usually ascending relatively steeply (Fig. 5b). Head smooth and shiny with scattered fine punctulae; pronotum similar centrally, but remainder of mesosoma becoming sublucid, with coriarious-imbricate sculpture on most surfaces including mesopleuron, metapleuron and propodeum; petiole, postpetiole and gaster with moderately dense pubescence. Standing pilosity sparse (MSC 2); paired erect setae present on pronotal humeri, petiole and postpetiole. Dark brown, mandibles, frontoclypeal complex and tarsi lighter; pronotum, petiole and postpetiole often a contrastingly lighter medium- to yellowish-brown.

Type Material
Ward (1989) - Two syntype workers, Para. Brazil [Examined]. One syntype worker here designated LECTOTYPE.