Brachymyrmex obscurior

A common species with an ostensibly large range. It is possible that this name, as applied across the current range of Brachymyrmex obscurior, is comprised of a number of closely allied species.

Identification
Small workers (1-2mm) with nine segmented antenna. Erect hairs on gaster, no erect hairs on head or mesosoma.

Distribution
This taxon was described from Antilles. It is also found in the United States, Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, Bahamas, Vanuatu, Guam, Samoa, Barbados, Marshall Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, British Virgin Islands, Grenada and Northern Mariana Islands.

Biology
Brachymyrmex are general scavengers, with numerous species known to tend root aphids and coccids. The description of this species was provided in a paper by Forel (1893) that treated ants collected by H. H. Smith on the island of St. Vincent. Smith was appointed by the British government to study the fauna and flora of the West Indies. Forel included the collection notes provided by Smith for each species given in the paper (see next section). These notes are interesting from a historical perspective and also for the natural history information they provide.

Regional Notes - St Vincent
The opening text of the source paper (Forel 1893) for the following Brachymyrmex obscurior collection records, by H. H. Smith, states "These notes are given in full, as it is thought that the precise localities in which the species were met with may be of interest to local naturalists."

(57). Moderately common in communities of a few hundreds at most. The formicarium is formed under a stone, or at the roots of grass and weeds, generally on open ground ; but if my hasty identifications are correct, the species ranges to the tops of the highest mountains. So far as 1 have observed, the formicarium consists only of one or two simple chambers, with a short connecting passage. The ants are moderately active, less so than allied forms. They are sometimes beaten from foliage.

(57 a). Wallibou (leeward) ; thickets near the seashore. Oct. 6th. Community of several hundreds under a stone. Sandy ground.

(57 b). Cumberland (leeward); open valley near the sea-level. Male and female found together under a stone (not copulated). Oct. 8th.

(57 c). Islet fronting Chateaubelais Bay (leeward), Oct. 31st. Rocky ground, thickets near sea-level. Workers found scattered under stones.

(57 d). Workers. Note was lost. Probably obtained by beating.

(57 e). Soufriere Volcano, 2500 ft. Sept. Scrubby growth found in moss.

(57f). Wallilobo Valley (leeward), Nov. 8th; open hill-side, 500 ft. A female referred to this species, found alone under sod on a rock.

(57 g). Bowwood Valley, near Kingstown, 800 ft. Oct. 15th. Second growth, beaten from branches.

(57 h). Not noted. Doubtfully referred to this species.

(57 i). Windward side; open sandy valley of the Dry River, near the sea. Jan. 2nd. From two nests under stones. The species is common in this vicinity.

(57 j). Same locality and date as (57 i). An unusually large community under a stone. The winged females and males (especially the males) were very numerous.

(57 k). Bank near seashore, between Georgetown and the Dry River (windward). Jan. 3rd. Nest at the roots of grass.

(57 l). Workers, doubtfully referred to this species; near Grand Sable Estate (windward). Jan 3rd. Seashore thicket; side of a rock under loose earth.

Nomenclature

 *  obscurior. Brachymyrmex heeri var. obscurior Forel, 1893g: 345 (w.q.m.) ANTILLES. Subspecies of heeri: Forel, 1897b: 298; Forel, 1912i: 62. Raised to species: Wilson & Taylor, 1967: 92.

Description
Cette differe de la forme typique que par sa couleur brunutre et par ses ailes legerement enfumees de brunatre. La pubescence est peut etre aussi legerement plus forte.

Cette forme se distingue du Brachymyrmex patagonicus Mayr, par l'absence des ocelles, par sa taille plus petite et par sa pilosite un peu plus abondante. Les scapes sont aussi un peu plus longs.