Oxyepoecus kempfi

O. kempfi was recorded in only one locality; the only record for the genus in northeast Brasil, a poorly collected region in terms of ants. This specimen was collected from sifted litter samples in “cerrado” (Brazilian savanna).

Identification
Albuquerque and Brandao (2004) - The exclusive character of the workers of O. kempfi is the minute size (t.l.), and the pattern of sculpture inside the frontal carinae.

Key to Oxyepoecus species

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Brazil.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  kempfi. Oxyepoecus kempfi Albuquerque & Brandão, 2004: 67, figs. 3a-c (w.) BRAZIL.

Worker
Holotype and paratype within brackets t.l.= 1.71 (1.77); h.l.= 0.45 (0.46); h.w.= 0.35 (0.37); s.l.= 0.21 (0.23); m.l.e.= 0.10 (0.10); m.w.pr.= 0.32 (0.31); a.l.= 0.49 (0.52); h.f.l.= 0.26 (0.28); m.w.p.= 0.18 (0.21); m.w.pp.= 0. 21 (0. 22); c.i. 78 (80). Color reddish brown. Integument smooth and shining, with the following exceptions: posterior area between frontal carinae longitudinally faintly striate, the striations prolong caudad and obliquely laterad, reaching the level of the superior orbit of the compound eyes; genae with few vestigial rugae that reach the inferior orbit of the compound eyes; dorsal disc of pronotum with piligerous punctuations; posterior area of the katepisternum, and whole metapleuron longitudinally costulate, the costulae prolonged to the bulla of the metapleural gland; the dorsal face of the propodeum with 6-8 transverse curved costulae. Hairs moderately abundant, long, suberect and relatively curved on mesosoma, petiolar node with some subdecumbent and suberect hairs; some decumbent hairs on the postpetiole.

Head, mandibles elongate, with a broad and relatively shallow diastema between the basal and the subbasal tooth, and also a slightly larger diastema between the subbasal tooth and the subapical. Anterior teeth of the clypeus with lateral denticles, better seen when the clypeus margin is in oblique view. Frontal carinae relatively short, concave behind the antennal sockets, reaching the level of the inferior orbit of the compound eyes, the maximum width between their outer edges approximately 2/5 of the head width. Compound eyes small, with about 5-6 facets r.g.d., which is less than the distance between the inferior orbit and the mandibular insertion: total number of ommatidia about 18. Antennal scape failing to reach the occipital corner by a distance larger than the maximum thickness of the scape. Funicular segment I as long as II-IV combined, segments II-VII distinctly broader than long, VIII and IX as long as broad.

Mesosoma. Shoulders not at all marked, sides of the pronotum rounded, but the dorsal and lateral faces clearly distinguished. Metanotal groove not impressed (p.v.). Dorsal face of the propodeum immarginate on sides; posteriorly with two acute and prominent spines. Declivous face laterally marginate, the margin as weak carinae.

Petiole node high and round, slightly higher than the postpetiole, antero-posteriorly compressed and a little expanded laterally, almost 2/3 of the postpetiole width (d.v.); subpetiolar process minute, subquadrate, followed by one posterior very small denticle. The postpetiole very broad, in a scalelike fashion, subpostpetiolar process small with two subparallel crests of similar size, but curved forwards.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Brasil: Piauí: Corrente [10°26’S 45°09’W], 23-27.xi.1991, C.R.F. Brandão [col.], deposited in. Paratype: same data as holotype. Both specimens were broken while being examined, the postpetiole and gaster were glued in the same paper triangle of the respective head and mesosoma.

Etymology
In memory of the Brazilian myrmecologist Walter W. Kempf; an inspiration to the study of this genus.