Igaponera curiosa

This species is known only from the type specimen.

Identification
From Mackay and Mackay (2010): The costulae, which cover most surfaces of N. curiosa, could cause confusion with members of the genus Gnamptogenys. Neoponera curiosa can be separated as the costulae are not as well developed and regular as they are in Gnamptogenys and costulae are lacking on the postpetiole and the third tergite of the gaster of N. curiosa, which are normally covered with costulae in members of Gnamptogenys. The frontal carinae are narrowed as in other Pachycondyla and Neoponera, not widely spaced as in Gnamptogenys. The mandibles of N. curiosa are typical of those of Pachycondyla and Neoponera and are not narrowed and elongated as they are in many species of Gnamptogenys.

The presence of the costulae would separate N. curiosa easily from most of the other species in Pachycondyla and Neoponera. The costulae on the head of N. curiosa could cause confusion with species such as Neoponera lineaticeps  and Pachycondyla striata,  but both of these species have well defined carinae on the shoulder of pronotum. Species that have short antennal scapes, including Cryptopone mirabilis, Neoponera  luteola,  and members of the crenata species complex (e.g. Neoponera crenata),  lack the costulae found in N. curiosa. Thus it is unlikely that this species would be confused with any other member of the genera in Pachycondyla and Neoponera.

Distribution
Known only from the type locality.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Brazil.

Castes
Only known from a dealate holotype specimen.

Nomenclature

 * . Pachycondyla curiosa Mackay & Mackay, 2010: 295, figs. 423, 424 (q.) BRAZIL (Amazonas).
 * Type-material: holotype queen.
 * Type-locality: Brazil: Amazonas, Rio Taruma Mirim-Igapó, 6.i.1976, Dt-1 (J. Adis).
 * Type-depository: LACM.
 * Incertae sedis in Pachycondyla: Schmidt, C.A. & Shattuck, 2014: 155.
 * Combination in Neoponera: Esteves & Fisher, 2021: 103.
 * Status as species: Feitosa, 2015c: 99.
 * Distribution: Brazil.

Taxonomic Notes
Esteves & Fisher (2021): Neoponera curiosa (Mackay & Mackay, 2010) conforms with the characters shared by Neoponera and Pachycondyla (Fig. 13; Mackay and Mackay 2010). In addition, the species possesses a stridulitrum on the pretergite of abdominal segment IV (Mackay and Mackay 2010). According to the authors of the taxon, the arolia are underdeveloped. However, note that the adjective was likely used to compare the taxon with other species formerly assigned to Pachycondyla in which the arolium is distinct. For example, Mackay and Mackay (2010) also described the trait as underdeveloped in Neoponera striadinodis; yet we examined one specimen determined by W. P. Mackay that has distinct arolia.

Worker
Workers are not known for this species.

Queen
The female is a small (total length 7.5 mm) reddish black specimen with brown mandibles, antennae, appendages and gaster. The mandibles have approximately 10 teeth. The anterior margin of the clypeus is slightly convex. The head length is 1.50 mm; the head width is 1.32 mm. The eye (maximum diameter 0.40 mm) is located approximately one diameter from the anterior margin of the head. The ocelli are small (diameter of median ocellus 0.05 mm, lateral ocellus 0.06 mm) and are located about 3 - 4 diameters from each other. The scape is short (length 1.05 mm) and does not reach the posterior lateral margin of the head. The sides of the head are convex, but nearly parallel, the posterior margin is only slightly concave. The pronotal carina is absent, the propodeal spiracle is slit-shaped. The node of the petiole is nearly rectangular-shaped, but slightly wider near the base. The subpetiolar process and the metasternal process

cannot be seen due to glue. The postpetiole is slightly angulate between the two faces. The stridulatory file is present but poorly developed on the second pretergite. The arolium is poorly developed.

Erect hairs are present on the mandibles, clypeus, dorsal and ventral surfaces of the head, sides of the head, posterior margin, shaft of the scape, mesosoma, petiole and gaster, the hairs on the legs are mostly suberect. Most surfaces have sparse fine golden appressed pubescence, especially on the mesosoma and petiole The mandibles are mostly smooth and shining, but with deep elongated punctures. The dorsum of the head has fine costulae, which diverge posteriorly; the dorsum of the pronotum has mostly transverse costulae, which become semicircular posteriorly and pass horizontally on the side of the pronotum. The mesopleuron has mostly horizontal costulae, the costulae on the dorsal face of the propodeum are transverse, horizontal on the posterior face and oblique on the side of the pronotum. The dorsum of the petiole has transverse costulae, which become mostly horizontal on the side, the costulae on the anterior and posterior faces are horizontal. The gaster is mostly smooth and glossy, but with coarse punctures.

Male
Males are not known for this species.

Type Material
BRAZIL: Amazonas; Rio Taruma Mirim-Igapó. Holotype dealate female.

Etymology
From Latin, curiosus, meaning odd or strange, indicating the tenuous relationship of this species with the rest of the genus.