Probolomyrmex kelleri

An entire colony of this species was found in an area of dry forest with much thorny scrub vegetation in Lara, Venezuela, under a stone, containing 16 workers, two queens, two males, three pupae, and 15 late instar larvae. When uncovered, most of the ants were found clinging to the underside of the stone. They did not run away, presenting a sluggish and frozen behavior (John Lattke, unpublished data). One of these workers and another specimen from Aragua (Venezuela) have eyes formed by a unique omatite. Locality data suggests that it inhabits mesic as well as dry forests.

Identification
Postero-ventral petiolar lobe short and rounded. Subpetiolar process well developed, ventrally concave to subrectangular, with the postero-ventral angle acute and directed towards the gaster. Prora and protuberance on the posterior region of the first gastral tergite present.

Probolomyrmex kelleri resembles Probolomyrmex boliviensis, but is smaller, with shorter antennal scapes and subpetiolar process well developed.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Guyana, Peru, Venezuela.

Nomenclature

 *  kelleri. Probolomyrmex kelleri Oliveira & Feitosa, 2019: 81, figs. 20-23 (w.q.m.) VENEZUELA.

Type Material

 * Holotype: VENEZUELA: Lara: Finca Sta. Maria 3.8km, ESE Barbacoas, 9°49’N 70°2’W, 26.xii.2005, J. Lattke col 2978 (worker) [DZUP, unique specimen identifier DZUP 549763].
 * Paratype: same data as holotype, except: (1 worker) [DZUP, unique specimen identifier DZUP 549764]; (1 queen) [DZUP, unique specimen identifier DZUP 549765]; (1 male) [DZUP, unique specimen identifier DZUP 549766]; 2978 (1 worker) [MZSP]; 2978 (1 worker) [MIZA].