Eurhopalothrix speciosa

Identification
Longino (2013): This species shares the elevated posterior mesonotal keel with Eurhopalothrix hunhau and Eurhopalothrix sepultura. Eurhopalothrix hunhau has a full complement of 18 specialized setae on the face; both E. sepultura and E. speciosa have a reduced number. The head shape of E. speciosa is very similar to E. sepultura. Eurhopalothrix speciosa has a distinctive arrangement of 6 specialized setae on the face: 4 in a tight square on the posteromedian vertex, and 2 on the posterolateral angles of the vertex margin. In contrast, Eurhopalothrix sepultura has the same medial square of 4 setae, but 4–6 additional setae are arranged anteriorly, between the medial square and the compound eyes, and there are no setae on the posterolateral angles of the vertex margin. Also, the compound eye of E. speciosa is relatively large, with 7–8 ommatidia across greatest diameter, versus 5 in E. sepultura.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Brazil.

Nomenclature

 *  speciosa. Eurhopalothrix speciosa Brown & Kempf, 1960: 203, figs. 31-33 (w.) BRAZIL.

Additional References

 * Longino, J.T. 2013. A review of the Central American and Caribbean species of the ant genus Eurhopalothrix Brown and Kempf, 1961 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), with a key to New World species. Zootaxa 3693, 101–151.