Holcoponera gracilis

This is an epigaeic forager known only from primary and secondary wet forests of the Guiana Shield and its remnants in the Venezuelan Amazonas, mostly between altitudes of 850-1600 m. Within the range of 1000-1200 it can be locally abundant. One record from 550 is next to Angel Falls. This suggests that proximity with the higher forested talus slopes of Auyan Tepuy could explain its occurrence at such a low elevation. This species obviously prefers cool, mesic habitats. This distribution plus climatic evidence (Schubert 1988) suggests that G. gracilis may have been more widely distributed in this area during the last glacial period.

Identification
A member of the porcata subgroup (in the striatula species group). Finely costulae; pronotal costulae concentric to arched; mesonotum frequently with longitudinal costulae surrounded by concentric costulae; metanotum and propodeal dorsum with transverse costulae, and longitudinal on declivitous propodeal face; subpetiolar process anteriorly triangular and posteriorly angular. On account of size, similar sculpture, posteriorly inclined node and fair amount of pilosity, its nearest relative appears to be Gnamptogenys pilosa, also an apparent endemic, of the Colombian Cordillera N and NNW of Cali. An occasional specimen may have a second, smaller seta just below the prominent seta of the foretarsal base. (Lattke 1995)

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela.

Nomenclature

 *  gracilis. Holcoponera gracilis Santschi, 1929h: 468, figs. 14, 41 (w.) GUYANA. Combination in Gnamptogenys: Brown, 1958g: 228. See also: Lattke, 1995: 168.