Holcoponera ammophila

This species is unique within the genus due to its savanna nest sites as opposed to the forest preferences of most species. Its range is apparently restricted to high (>1200m), cool savannas of the Upper Rio Caroni watershed (La Gran Sabana). It has not been found in lower savannas, despite the fact that another ant, Pogonomyrmex naegelii, is widespread in savannas isolated in the midst of great expanses of forest. The extent of savannas in the Guiana Shield was much broader during the last glaciation (75,000-11,000 B.P.), as were generally cooler temperatures and a drier climate (Schubert 1988; Clapperton 1993). Such conditions could conceivably have favored the origin of this species from its apparent sister species Holcoponera striatula during the course of the last glaciation. (Lattke 1995)

Identification
A member of the striatula subgroup (in the striatula species group). Black, finely costulate with brown scapes and mandibles, light brown legs. Subpetiolar process subquadrate, not as projecting anterad as in Holcoponera striatula. Mesosomal dorsum with longitudinal costulae and erect hairs up to 0.30 mm in length. (Lattke 1995)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Venezuela.

Nomenclature

 * . Gnamptogenys ammophila Lattke, 1990b: 6, figs. 6, 9 (w.) VENEZUELA.
 * Type-material: holotype worker, 20 paratype workers.
 * Type-locality: holotype Venezuela: Estado Bolívar, via El Dorado-Santa Elena, km. 141, Rio Apanwao, 5°52’N, 61°27’W, 1500 m., 13.viii.1986 (J. Lattke & P. Ward); paratypes: 19 workers with same data, 1 worker Estado Bolívar, San Ignacio de Yuruani, 5°00’N, 61°08’W, 850 m., vii.1984 (K. Jaffé).
 * Type-depositories: MIZA (holotype); BMNH, FSCG, LACM, MCZC, MIZA, MZSP (paratypes).
 * Combination in Holcoponera: Camacho, Franco, Branstetter, et al. 2022: 11.
 * Status as species: Brandão, 1991: 344; Bolton, 1995b: 208; Lattke, 1995: 155; Lattke, et al. 2007: 258 (in key); Camacho, et al. 2020: 454 (in key); Camacho, Franco, Branstetter, et al. 2022: 11.
 * Distribution: Brazil, Guyana, Venezuela.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Alonso L. E., J. Persaud, and A. Williams. 2016. Biodiversity assessment survey of the south Rupununi Savannah, Guyana. BAT Survey Report No.1, 306 pages.
 * Fernández, F. and S. Sendoya. 2004. Lista de las hormigas neotropicales. Biota Colombiana Volume 5, Number 1.
 * Franco W., N. Ladino, J. H. C. Delabie, A. Dejean, J. Orivel, M. Fichaux, S. Groc, M. Leponce, and R. M. Feitosa. 2019. First checklist of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of French Guiana. Zootaxa 4674(5): 509-543.
 * Lattke, J. E. 1990b. Revisión del género Gnamptogenys Roger en Venezuela (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Acta Terramaris 2: 1-47
 * Pires de Prado L., R. M. Feitosa, S. Pinzon Triana, J. A. Munoz Gutierrez, G. X. Rousseau, R. Alves Silva, G. M. Siqueira, C. L. Caldas dos Santos, F. Veras Silva, T. Sanches Ranzani da Silva, A. Casadei-Ferreira, R. Rosa da Silva, and J. Andrade-Silva. 2019. An overview of the ant fauna (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the state of Maranhao, Brazil. Pap. Avulsos Zool. 59: e20195938.