Gnamptogenys stellae

Identification
A member of the mordax subgroup (in the mordax species group). The median anterior projection of the clypeal lamella is unique among the extant species of the mordax group. This species seems to occupy an intermediate position between Gnamptogenys continua and Gnamptogenys horni. The combination of clypeal configuration, small eyes, subfalcate mandibles, glabrous occiput, mesometanotal suture and very brief petiolar peduncle point to this placement. (Lattke 1995)

Key to New World Gnamptogenys Species

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Colombia, Costa Rica.

Nomenclature

 *  stellae. Gnamptogenys stellae Lattke, 1995: 183, figs. 60, 61 (w.) COSTA RICA.

Worker
Holotype measurements: HL 1.18; ML 0.57; HW 1.06; SL 0.65; ED 0.13; WL 1.55 mm; CI 0.90; SI 0.61; OI 0.12.

Head elongate, in frontal view with concave vertexal margin, more or less parallel sided with eyes at about midlength; clypeal lamella gradually projects forward from sides and is medially weakly emarginate; mandibles almost linear and with a double row of low tubercles on apical border, dorsally and laterally smooth and shining with sparse punctae, basally with small area of longitudinal costulae; scapes smooth and shining, dorso-ventrally compressed, bent at basal one-fourth and thickest just apicad of mid length; cephalic dorsum with longitudinal striae, diverging posterad at vertex, gula mostly longitudinally striate, weakly di verging posterad; occipital margin glabrous.

Anterior pronotal face and collar with transverse striae; longitudinal striae on mesosomal dorsum and propodeal declivity, slightly shallower on metanotum and dorsal propodeal face; promesonotal suture very lightly impressed, metanotal groove markedly impressed and interrupting longitudinal striae. Mesosomal sides longitudinally striate, except for oblique striae on anepisternum; propodeal spiracle round and slightly raised above rest of integument; procoxae anteriorly and anterolaterally smooth and shining, posterolaterally striate; mesocoxae with dorsal transverse striae that are effaced posteriorly; metacoxae with transverse striae and low dorsobasal swelling; tibia and femora smooth and shining; anterior petiolar node face smooth and shining, laterally with weakly effaced longitudinal striae, dorsally diverging posterad; node wider posterad than anterad; petiole in lateral view slightly pedunculate, anteriorly slightly concave, dorsally slightly convex, posterior face dropping sharply; subpetiolar process anteriorly projecting with convex anterior border and posteriorly sinuous; gastric terga I and II with longitudinal striae, effaced towards posterior margin of tergum II. Gastric sterna I and II smooth and shining; pilosity sparse, a row of stout hairs present along apical mandibular order, few standing hairs on posterior cephalic dorsum, pronotum and gaster. Body reddish brown; mesosomal dorsum and head darker brown, leg and antennae ferruginous.

Type Material
Holotype worker. Costa Rica, Estrella Valley, April, 1924, W. M. Mann, leg. Deposited in.

Etymology
The species epithet is derived from the Latin word for star, stella, and alludes to the type locality.