Neoponera fiebrigi

From Mackay and Mackay (2010): A dealate female was collected in June (Paraguay, ). We collected a nest in a log with brood in the nest in December (Argentina).

Identification
From Mackay and Mackay (2010): Neoponera fiebrigi is obviously closely related to Neoponera crenata and Neoponera moesta,  but differs in being much larger (total length of N. crenata is about 6 mm) and in having a different shaped petiole. The petioles of workers of N. crenata and N. moesta (measured using the same boundaries as above) are slightly higher than long (N. crenata: approximately 0.55 mm in length and 0.65 mm in height, for N. moesta approximately 0.70 mm long, 0.80 mm high). From above the node of the worker of N. fiebrigi is larger (length 0.70 - 0.88 mm, width 0.88 - 1.05 mm), those of N. crenata and N. moesta are only slightly wider than long (N. crenata: approximately 0.55 mm in length, 0.65 mm in width, N. moesta: 0.70 mm long, 0.85 mm wide).

Neoponera fiebrigi can be easily separated from Neoponera globularia as the petiole is not circular or oval-shaped as seen from above. Neoponera fiebrigi is very similar to Neoponera latinoda, with the workers and females being large specimens, approximately the same size. They can be separated as the petiole is not as wide in N. fiebrigi and it is found in Paraguay, whereas N. latinoda  is from Brasil. It is likely when these species become well known the distributions will overlap in eastern Brasil. Both Longino (website) and Wild (2005) consider N. crenata to be a variable species or possibly a species complex. Once N. moesta, N. globularia, N. latinoda and N. fiebrigi are recognized as being different, N. crenata becomes much more homogeneous. Ponera Fiebrigi var. antoniensis and var. famini are members of Hypoponera (Kempf, 1972).

Distribution
PARAGUAY, ARGENTINA (Mackay and Mackay 2010)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Panama.

Habitat
Riparian tropical rain forest at 160 meters. (Mackay and Mackay 2010)

Nomenclature

 *  fiebrigi. Neoponera crenata r. fiebrigi Forel, 1912c: 37 (w.) PANAMA. Mackay & Mackay, 2010: 325 (q.). Combination in Pachycondyla: Mackay & Mackay, 2010: 324; in Neoponera: Schmidt & Shattuck, 2014: 151. Junior synonym of crenata: Brown, 1957e: 234. Revived from synonymy: Mackay & Mackay, 2010: 324. Raised to species: Mackay & Mackay, 2010: 324.

Worker
From Mackay and Mackay (2010): The worker is a moderate sized (total length 8.5 mm) dark reddish brown species with medium reddish brown mandibles, clypeus, cheeks, antennae and legs. The mandibles have approximately 12 teeth. The anterior medial margin of the clypeus forms a small lobe which overhangs the remainder of the clypeus. The head is narrowed anteriorly and the posterior margin is slightly concave. The malar carina is well developed and extends to the region medial of the eye. The eyes are large (maximum diameter 0.45 mm) located about ½ diameter from the anterior margin of the head (side view). The scape extends about the first funicular segment past the posterior lateral corner of the head. The pronotal shoulder is formed into a sharp carina, which slightly overhangs the side of the pronotum. The promesonotal suture is well marked on the dorsum of the mesosoma; the metanotal suture does not break the sculpture on the dorsum of the mesosoma. The propodeal spiracle is elongated. The petiole is thickened when viewed in profile but is higher than long (the length at the peduncles is 0.70 - 0.88 mm, the height from the lower suture to the apex is 1 mm). The subpetiolar process consists of a broad anterior lobe, a concave surface and a broadly rounded posterior lobe. The stridulatory file is well developed on the second pretergite and the arolia are present but poorly developed.

Long (up to 0.4 mm) erect hairs are present on the clypeus, mandibles, scapes, dorsal and ventral surfaces of the head, dorsum of the mesosoma, dorsum of the petiole and all surfaces of the gaster, similar hairs are present on the legs, including the tibiae. Appressed whitish pubescence is moderately abundant on the head, mesosoma, dorsum of the petiole and on the gaster. The surface of the mandibles is finely striate and dull, the medial lobe of the clypeus is often longitudinally striate, the dorsum of the head is heavily and densely punctate, the dorsum of the mesosoma is punctate, but moderately shining, the side of the pronotum is finely punctate and shining and the remainder of the side of the mesosoma is mostly finely striate and moderately shining. The side of the petiole is finely punctate and moderately shining, the anterior face has similar sculpture, the posterior face is mostly shining. The gaster is covered with punctures, but is moderately shining.

Queen
From Mackay and Mackay (2010): The female (undescribed) is a moderate sized (total length 9 mm) dark reddish brown specimen with reddish mandibles, clypeus, cheeks and appendages. The mandibles have eleven teeth; the anterior margin of the clypeus is convex, especially in the medial area, which is somewhat angulate. The head is 1.96 mm long and 1.66 mm wide. The sides of the head are nearly parallel, but convex and narrowed anteriorly. The posterior margin is slightly convex. The malar carina is well developed and extends to the eye. The eye is large (maximum diameter 0.60 mm) located about ½ of the maximum diameter from the anterior margin of the head (side view). The scape is moderate in length (1.66 mm) and extends slightly more than the first funicular segment past the posterior lateral corner. The pronotal carina is sharp, well developed and slightly overhangs the side of the pronotum. The propodeal spiracle is slit-shaped. The petiole is thick when viewed in profile, with the anterior and posterior faces being nearly parallel (in profile) and forming a broadly rounded dorsal face. The petiole is wider (1.04 mm) than long 0.72 mm) when viewed from above. The subpetiolar process is well developed and consists of an angulate anterior lobe and a broadly convex posterior lobe, separated by a concave region. The anterior face of the postpetiole is straight and broadly rounded into the dorsal face. The pretergite has a well-developed stridulatory file, but the arolium between the tarsal claws is poorly developed.

Erect hairs are mostly long (up to 0.2 mm) and are present on the mandibles, clypeus, dorsal and ventral surfaces of the head, sides of the head, posterior margin, scapes, dorsum of the mesosoma, dorsal and posterior faces of the petiole and all surfaces of the gaster. Appressed golden pubescence is present on the head, dorsum of the mesosoma, anterior and dorsal faces of the petiole and all surfaces of the gaster. The mandibles are finely punctate mixed with coarse punctures and are dull. The dorsum of the head as well as the surface of the scapes, are finely and densely punctate, the dorsum of the mesosoma and side of the propodeum have similar sculpture, but the punctures are less well-developed, the side of the pronotum, mesopleuron and metapleuron are glossy and finely coriaceous (pronotum), or finely striolate (metapleuron). The petiole is finely punctate and moderately (sides and front) to strongly (posterior face) glossy and shining. The gaster is finely punctate and moderately shining.

Male
Males are not known for this species.

Type Material
San Bernardino, Paraguay. lectotype worker, 2 paralectotype workers seen, (Mackay and Mackay 2010)

Etymology
This species was named in honor of Mr. Fiebrig, who collected the type series. (Mackay and Mackay 2010)