Gnamptogenys mordax

A common dweller of humid forests.

Identification
A member of the mordax subgroup (in the mordax species group). Size (HW 1.08-2.08; WL 1.66-2.92 mm) and sculpture patterns of this widespread and timid species is quite variable. Mandibles subtriangular; declivitous propodeal face transversely costulate; gastric tergum II can vary from smooth to longitudinally costulate or costulate-rugose. Body very dark, brown, almost black; legs dark brown. Smaller individuals can be confused with Gnamptogenys continua. (Lattke 1995)

Key to New World Gnamptogenys Species

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Suriname.

Nomenclature

 * nodosa. Formica nodosa Latreille, 1802c: 217, pl. 8, fig. 48 (w.) FRENCH GUIANA. Combination in Gnamptogenys: Mayr, 1866b: 892 (in text); in Ectatomma (Gnamptogenys): Dalla Torre, 1893: 25. Subspecies of mordax: Emery, 1896g: 50. Junior synonym of mordax: Brown, 1958g: 228.
 *  mordax. Ponera mordax Smith, F. 1858b: 98 (w.q.) COSTA RICA. Borgmeier, 1937b: 220 (m.); Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1952a: 134 (l.). Combination in Ectatomma (Gnamptogenys): Emery, 1894c: 145; in Gnamptogenys: Mann, 1922: 3. Senior synonym of nodosa, purensis, sebastiani: Brown, 1958g: 228. See also: Lattke, 1995: 176.
 * purensis. Ectatomma (Gnamptogenys) mordax var. purensis Forel, 1912c: 33 (w.) BRAZIL. Junior synonym of mordax: Brown, 1958g: 228.
 * sebastiani. Ectatomma (Gnamptogenys) mordax subsp. sebastiani Borgmeier, 1937b: 220 (w.) BRAZIL. Junior synonym of mordax: Brown, 1958g: 228.

Ponera mordax

Three worker syntypes and one queen syntype in. Labelled “Rio,” and “57/63.” Acc. Reg.: “1857 no. 63 (June 22). Province of Rio. Presented by Rev. Hamlet Clark.”