Sphinctomyrmex marcoyi

Sphinctomyrmex marcoyi is known only from the holotype. The specimen was collected from a soil sample (25 cm depth). Nothing is known about its biology. As far as we know this is the only Sphinctomyrmex species recorded in the Amazon Forest, extending the distribution range of the genus more than 2,500km to the north-west. (Feitosa et al. 2012)

Identification
Feitosa et al. (2012) - Sphinctomyrmex marcoyi can be easily separated from other species in the genus by its comparatively diminutive size (HW <0.40mm, TL <3.00mm), conspicuously elongate head, comparatively short scapes, and by the presence of a smooth longitudinal stripe on the dorsum of mesosoma, which is otherwise covered by foveolae and subdecumbent to erect hairs

Key to Sphinctomyrmex of the Neotropics

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Brazil.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  marcoyi. Sphinctomyrmex marcoyi Feitosa, Brandão, et al. 2011: 3, figs. 1, 4 (w.) BRAZIL.

Worker
Holotype. HL 0.53; HW 0.35; SL 0.21; EL 0.025; WL 0.61; PL 0.23; PW 0.21; GL 1.24; TL 2.04; CI 66; SI 60; OI 7.14.

Relatively small size (TL about 2.00 mm). Body reddish-brown with slightly lighter appendages. Body dull; dorsum of mesosoma and petiole shiny. Pilosity comparatively dense; dorsum of head with short suberect to subdecumbent hairs; dorsum of mesosoma with short suberect hairs and a few long, sparsely distributed erect hairs, except for a longitudinal median stripe devoid of pilosity; petiole densely covered by suberect hairs; gastral dorsum with short appressed hairs mixed with sparse, longer hairs. Posterior area of head (nuchal area) opaque; dorsum of body densely foveolate; dorsum of mesosoma with a longitudinal, smooth, and shining, median stripe; sides of mesosoma and petiole with faint irregular reticulation; declivous face of propodeum without discernible sculpture; dorsal surface of the apical segments of gaster finely foveolate, the foveolae separated by wide interspaces (wider than the foveolae).

Head elongate (CI 66), slightly broader anteriorly; lateral margins faintly convex; clypeus narrowly inserted between the frontal lobes; anterior margin of clypeus devoid of lateral lobes, with a distinct median incision; antennal scapes short, with the apices well below the level of eyes; antennal club formed only by the apical segment, which is longer than the four preceding segments combined; eyes strongly reduced, as small as or smaller than the adjacent foveae of the head surface, with two small facets at its maximum diameter. In dorsal view, lateralmargins ofmesosoma subparallel; pronotum with evenly rounded humeral corners; promesonotal suture not impressed dorsally. In dorsal view, petiole slightly longer than broad, with lateral margins slightly divergent; subpetiolar process moderately developed. Abdominal segments IV to VII with short pretergites, separated from each other by deeply impressed, short constrictions.

Type Material
Holotype Worker. Brazil. Amazonas; Manaus, Rs 2206; in soil, 01.11.1993; A.B. Casimiro col. no. 6 (4832). CDPC

Etymology
The specific epithet honors Laurent Saint-Cricq (1815–1888), who published several papers and books between 1853 and 1876 on his voyages to South America (under the pseudonym of Paul Marcoy or Paul de Carmoy). His writings were particularly humanistic and naturalistic; his most important book is “Voyage a travers l’Amerique du Sud, de l’Ocean Pacifique a l’Ocean Atlantique” published in 1869 and translated into different languages.