Pseudomyrmex peperi

Collected from Acacia chiapensis, A. collinsii, A. cornigera, A. gentlei, A. globulifera and ''A. hindsii. P. peperi is apparently polygynous over much of its range, and often occurs sympatrically with the commoner Pseudomyrmex ferrugineus''. Some aspects of its biology in Mexico are discussed by Janzen (1967b) under the name "P. nigrocincta". (Ward 1993)

Identification
Ward (1993) - P. peperi is recognized by the features mentioned above and in the key. The combination of small elongate head, broad posterolaterally angulate petiole, and matte head surface is found in no other acacia ant workers or queens.

Distribution
Eastern Mexico to Nicaragua.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua.

Nomenclature

 * convarians. Pseudomyrma spinicola r. convarians Forel, 1913l: 214 (w.) GUATEMALA. Combination in Pseudomyrmex: Kempf, 1972a: 224. Junior synonym of peperi: Ward, 1989: 452.
 *  peperi. Pseudomyrma peperi Forel, 1913l: 213 (w.) GUATEMALA. Combination in Pseudomyrmex: Kempf, 1972a: 222. Senior synonym of convarians, saffordi Enzmann: Ward, 1989: 452. See also: Ward, 1993: 146.
 * saffordi. Pseudomyrma sabanica var. saffordi Enzmann, E.V. 1944: 89 (w.) MEXICO. [The name sabanica is a misspelling of satanica.] [Unresolved junior primary homonym of saffordi Wheeler, above.] Junior synonym of saffordi Wheeler: Brown, 1949a: 42; of peperi: Ward, 1989: 452.

Worker
Ward (1993) - Ward (1993) - measurements (n = 53). —HL 0.86-1.13, HW 0.76-0.90, MFC 0.034-0.064, CI 0.76-0.89, REL 0.45-0.50, REL2 0.54-0.62, OOI 1.15-2.06, VI 0.59-0.79, FCI 0.042-0.071, SI 0.44-0.49, SI2 0.76-0.88, NI 0.62-0.71, PLI 0.54-0.65, PWI 0.63-0.75, PPWI 1.41-1.83.

Small species (HW < 0.92) with moderately elongate head; anterior margin of median clypeal lobe straight or slightly produced medially, laterally rounded or subangulate (never sharply angulate as in P. spinicola and P. satanicus). Palp formula 4,3, rarely 5p4,3. Frontal carinae separated by about basal scape width. In some workers basal and declivitous faces of propodeum are well differentiated and/or anteroventral tooth of petiole are prominent. Petiole and postpetiole broad, the former subtriangular in dorsal view with well developed posterolateral angles. Dorsum of head obscurely punctulate-coriarious, matte. Remainder of body with finely punctulate to punctulate-coriarious sculpture, opaque to sublucid; Propodeum lacking overlying rugulo-punctate sculpture seen in P. ferrugineus. Standing pilosity not especially abundant, sometimes lacking (worn?) on mesonotum. Appressed pubescence abundant but very fine. Light to medium brown, rarely dark brown, the gaster sometimes darker than the rest of body; appendages lighter.

Type Material
Ward (1993) - Syntype workers, Patulul, Guatemala (Peper) [Examined]. One syntype here designated LECTOTYPE.

Pseudomyrma spinicola race convarians Forel 1913:214. Syntype worker, Patulul, Guatemala (Peper) (MHNG) [Examined].

Pseudomyrma sabanica [sic] var. saffordi Enzmann 1945:89. Syntype workers, Yerba Santa, Chiapas, Mexico (G. N. Collins) [Examined] One syntype here designated LECTOTYPE.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Castano-Meneses, G., M. Vasquez-Bolanos, J. L. Navarrete-Heredia, G. A. Quiroz-Rocha, and I. Alcala-Martinez. 2015. Avances de Formicidae de Mexico. Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico.
 * Dattilo W. et al. 2019. MEXICO ANTS: incidence and abundance along the Nearctic-Neotropical interface. Ecology https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.2944
 * Heil, M. 2013. Let the best one stay: screening of ant defenders by Acacia host plants functions independently of partner choice or host sanctions. Journal of Ecology 101: 684-688.
 * Kempf, W.W. 1972. Catalago abreviado das formigas da regiao Neotropical (Hym. Formicidae) Studia Entomologica 15(1-4).
 * Mirmecofauna de la reserva ecologica de San Felipe Bacalar
 * Vasquez-Bolanos M. 2011. Checklist of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Mexico. Dugesiana 18(1): 95-133.
 * Vásquez-Bolaños M. 2011. Lista de especies de hormigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) para México. Dugesiana 18: 95-133
 * Ward, P.S. 1993. Systematic studies on Pseudomyrmex acacia-ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Journal of Hymenoptera Research 2(1):117-168