Pachycondyla vieirai

Nothing is known about the biology of this species.

Identification
From Mackay and Mackay (2010): Pachycondyla vieirai is a very unusual and easily recognized species. The tiny circular propodeal spiracle and the elongated petiole would separate it from all of the others in the genus. Pachycondyla vieirai could be confused with members of crenata species complex, but the shape of the propodeal spiracle and the lack of the malar carina would easily distinguish it. Pachycondyla vieirai is not closely related to Rasopone rupinicola, and can be easily separated by the presence of scattered coarse punctures, which are completely lacking in R. rupinicola.

Distribution
ECUADOR (Mackay and Mackay 2010)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Ecuador.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  vieirai. Pachycondyla vieirai Mackay & Mackay, 2010: 568, figs. 22, 188, 206, 678-680 (w.) ECUADOR.

Worker
The worker is a medium-sized (total length 8 mm) dark brown specimen with lighter brown appendages. The mandible has about 12 teeth, most of the teeth except the apical tooth, are poorly defined. The anterior border of the clypeus is broadly convex. The head is relatively long (head length 1.74 mm, head width 1.24 mm) and the eye is relatively large (0.25 mm) located about 1½ diameter from the anterior edge of the head (side view). The malar carina is absent. The posterior border of the head is broadly rounded, but a well-developed nuchal collar or flange is present. The scape is relatively long (2.42 mm) and extends nearly ½ length past the posterior lateral corner of the head. The pronotal shoulder is rounded, the mesonotum is relatively short and forms an arc when viewed from above, the metanotal suture is depressed and breaks the sculpture on the dorsum of the mesosoma. The dorsal face of the propodeum is slightly convex and is separated from the posterior face by an angle, formed from the two posterior lateral carinae, which pass and meet dorsally. The propodeal spiracle is tiny and circular. The petiole is very broad when viewed in profile with a nearly vertical anterior face, a broadly rounded dorsal face and rounded posterior face; the subpetiolar process is very long, extending more than half the length of the bottom of the petiole. The anterior face of the postpetiole is broadly rounded into the dorsal face.

Erect hairs are present on the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the head, the clypeus, the scapes, the dorsum of the mesosoma, the legs, including the tibiae, the dorsum of the petiole and all surfaces of the gaster. Appressed yellowish hairs are present on the head, dorsum of the mesosoma, petiole and gaster.

All surfaces are roughly sculptured, most with scattered coarse punctures, the side of the mesosoma and petiole are weakly shining and the punctures on the dorsum of the second gastral tergite are elongated.

Type Material
ECUADOR. LOS RIOS, C.C.R. PALENQUE. Holotype worker

Etymology
Named in honor of our myrmecological colleague and close friend Juan Vieira, who has loaned us numerous ants from Ecuador including this specimen.