Megalomyrmex piriana

Identification
Megalomyrmex piriana, sp.n .. can be distin­guished from M. silvestrii by the laterally produ­ced propodeal spiracles and the sculptured meta­notal groove. The latter character suggested the name piriana, meaning striped in Tupi. The meso­notum of M. piriana, sp.n cannot be distinguis­hed from the pronotum in side or dorsal view. The type series has been collected by J. & S. Peck in April. 4. 1976.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Ecuador.

Nomenclature

 * . Megalomyrmex piriana Brandão, 1990b: 443, figs. 97, 98 (w.) ECUADOR.
 * Type-material: holotype worker, 2 paratype workers.
 * Type-locality: holotype Ecuador: Pichincha, Tinalandia, 16. Km. SE Santo Domingo de los Colorados, 4.iv.1976 (S. & J. Peck); paratypes with same data.
 * Type-depositories: MCZC (holotype); MCZC, MZSP (paratypes).
 * Status as species: Brandão, 1991: 354; Bolton, 1995b: 249.
 * Distribution: Ecuador.

Description
Megalomyrmex piriana, sp.n., 9. Type Loe.: Tinalandia, 16Km SE Santo Domingo de los Colorados, prov. Pichi ncha. Ec uador (00° 18'S, 79° 04'W).

Holotype and paratype at the Museum of Com parative Zoology, Harvard. Paratype at Museu de Zoologia da USP.
 * Types

Mandibles smooth; dental formula 2+12; pal­pal formula 3:2: anterior clypeal border without median denticle; 13 ocular facets at compound eyes largest diameter; promesonotal  suture faintly impressed laterally but not dorsally; meta­notal groove deeply excavated and completely rugose: declivity with faint rugosities over the foramen: propodeal spiracles, in side view. later­ally prod uced; epipetiolar carina complete; pedunculate petiole with dorsal margin, in lateral view. straight; ventral face of petiole with ante­romedian denticle. but no longitudinal flange; ventral process of postpetiole globose. Pilosity: long hairs (ca.. 2mm) at head, thorax dorsum and gaster. smaller hairs (ca..l mm) at legs. Color: antennae and legs orange-yellow; body bright-light brown. Base of head l ight-brown, vertex almost black.
 * Worker

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Brandão C. R. F. 1990. Systematic revision of the Neotropical ant genus Megalomyrmex Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae), with the description of thirteen new species. Arquivos de Zoologia (São Paulo) 31: 411-481