Hylomyrma wachiperi

This species inhabits sites in tropical rainforest at elevations of 1,825 m. All specimens were collected in leaf-litter, which suggests that nests are located in fallen logs, rotten wood, between leaves, or inside natural cavities of the superficial soil layers. Except for the presence of intercastes, there is no further information available regarding the biology of H. wachiperi.

Identification
Midsized. Propodeal lobe unidentate, dorsal region rounded, ventral region with a small and blunt tooth; apex of propodeal spine curved upwards.

This species is unlikely to be confused with any other congener. The combination of the apex of propodeal spine curved upwards, the propodeal lobe unidentate (only the ventral tooth is present), and the dorsal region of propodeal lobe rounded is unique in the genus.

Hylomyrma wachiperi is similar to Hylomyrma reitteri and Hylomyrma dandarae. All three are allopatric; H. wachiperi occurs in Peru (Fig. 86), H. dandarae occur in Bolivia and Colombia (Fig. 83), and H. reitteri in Brazil and Paraguay (Fig. 85).

Hylomyrma wachiperi differs from H. reitteri (characteristic in parentheses) in the oval eye (vs. reniform), the striate ventral surface of petiole (vs. smooth surface), and the tergum of the first gastral segment with long striae (vs. short striae).

Hylomyrma wachiperi can be distinguished from H. dandarae in the regular striae on the head dorsum (vs. irregular striae), the irregular striae on the mesosomal dorsum (vs. rugose striae), the indistinct metanotal groove (vs. distinct), the long propodeal spine (vs. short), and the tergum of the first gastral segment with short striae (vs. long striae).

Two specimens were identified as intercastes by the presence of three ocelli, a more pronounced depression on the promesonotal junction than that found in workers, modifications on the mesonotum and metanotum, and the larger body measures [HL (1.02–1.05); HW (0.98–1); ML (0.64); SL (0.72–0.74); MOD (0.24); PNW (0.70); WL (1.36); PSL (0.27–0.28); PL (0.64–0.66); PW (0.25–0.27); PPL (0.40); PPW (0.38); GL (1.32–1.40); TL (5.38–5.51)].

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Peru.

Nomenclature

 * . Hylomyrma wachiperi Ulysséa, in Ulysséa & Brandão, 2021: 126, figs. 79, 86 (w.) PERU.
 * Type-material: holotype worker, 12 paratype workers, 3 paratype worker-queen intercastes.
 * Type-locality: holotype Peru: Cusco, Kcosñipata Dist., Estac. Climatologica Ordinaria Rocotal, 1828 m., 13°6.735’S, 71°34.059’W, 25.ix.2004, litter sample, nr river =JSC040925-04, JSC040925-01-LS04 (T.R. Schultz, J. Sosa-Calvo & C.J. Marshall); paratypes: 1 worker with same data, 11 workers, 3 intercastes with same data but =JSC040925-02, -03, -05, -11, -12, -13, -14, -16, JSC040925-01-LS02, -01-LS03, -01-LS05, -01-LS11, -01-LS12,, -01-LS13, -01-LS14, -01-LS16.
 * Type-depositories: USNM (holotype); CASC, DZUP, IAVH, MCZC, MZSP, USNM (paratypes).
 * Distribution: Peru.

Type Material

 * Holotype: PERU:  Cusco:  Kcosñipata  District,  Estac.  Climatologica  Ordinaria  Rocotal,  1828m,  71°34.059′W,  13°6.735′S, 25.ix.2004, T.R. Schultz, J. Sosa-Calvo, C.J. Marshall, litter sample, nr. river, =JSC040925-04, JSC040925-01-LS04 (1W) (USNMENT00534691) [USNM].
 * Paratypes: same data as holotype (1W) (USNMENT00534693) [CASC]; same except =JSC040925-05, JSC040925-01-LS05 (1W) (USNMENT00534702) [USNM]; (1W) (USNMENT00534699) [MCZC]; =JSC040925-03, JSC040925-01-LS03 (2W) (USNMENT00534671, USNMENT00534669) [USNM]; =JSC040925-16, JSC040925-01-LS16 (1W) (USNMENT00534760) [USNM]; =JSC040925-14, JSC040925-01-LS14 (1W) (USNMENT00534750) [USNM]; (1W) (USNMENT00534751) [IHVL]; =JSC040925-13, JSC040925-01-LS13 (1W) (USNMENT00534748) [USNM]; (1W) (USNMENT00534742) [DZUP]; =JSC040925-11, JSC040925-01-LS11 (1W 1I) (USNMENT00534729 MZSP67465, USNMENT00534730 MZSP67466) [MZSP]; =JSC040925-12, JSC040925-01-LS12 (1W) (USNMENT00534736 MZHY206) [MZSP]; =JSC040925-02, JSC040925-01-LS02 (2I, one covered with gold) (USNMENT00534648 MZSP67467, USNMENT00534653 MZSP67468) [MZSP].