Acanthostichus laevigatus

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
A member of the serratulus species complex. Mackay (1996) - The workers of this species are easily separated from all other South American species by the smooth and polished petiolar node. In addition, there are noticeable bluish reflections. The poorly developed lateral teeth suggest affinities to Acanthostichus serratulus, the shape of the petiole suggests affinities with Acanthostichus lattkei and the color and smoothness of the node of the petiole suggests a possible connection with Acanthostichus fuscipennis.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Venezuela.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 * . Acanthostichus laevigatus Mackay, 1996: 157 (w.) VENEZUELA.
 * Type-material: holotype worker, 6 paratype workers.
 * Type-locality: holotype Venezuela: Bolivar, El Bochinche Reserva Forestal, Imataca, 200 m., Exp. Inst. Zool. Agricola, Formicidae 668, IZA, UCV; paratypes with same data.
 * Type-depositories: MIZA (holotype); BMNH, ICNB, MCZC, MIZA, MZSP, WEMC (paratypes).
 * Distribution: Venezuela.

Worker
HL 1.01-1.15. HW 0.90-1.05. SL 0.51-0.59. SW 0.15-0.20, WL 1.31-1.49, FL 0.71-0.85, FW 0.23-0.26, PW 0.40-0.50, PL 0.43-0.53, SI 51, CI 89-91, PI 105-106, FI 317- 324, SL/SW 2.80-3.42.

Clypeus with poorly defined lateral teeth; anterior border of scape concave; propodeal angles well formed. descending face concave; petiole subquadrate, slightly longer than broad; subpetiolar process well formed. Mandibles, head, top of mesosoma shining with scattered punctures; sides of mesosoma costulate, dorsum of petiole smooth, glossy and strongly shining, with a bluish sheen. Dark brown with scattered, erect hairs on all surfaces.

Type Material
Holotype worker and six paratype workers (,, , MHNC, MIZA, ). VENEZUELA: Bolivar, El Bochinche Reserva Forestal, Imataca. 200m; Exp. Instituto Zoologia Agricola; Formicidae 668. IZA UCV; Acanthostichus sp. det. J. Lattke 1985.

Etymology
Latin. smooth. referring to the surface of the worker, especially the node of the petiole.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Borowiec M. L. 2016. Generic revision of the ant subfamily Dorylinae (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). ZooKeys 608: 1–280.
 * Esteves F. A., C. R. F. Brandao, and L. P. Prado. 2011. The type specimens of Dorylomorph ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae: Aenictinae, Ecitoninae, Cerapachyinae, Leptanilloidinae) deposited in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil. Papeis Avulsos de Zoologia 51(22): 341-397.
 * Fernández, F. and S. Sendoya. 2004. Lista de las hormigas neotropicales. Biota Colombiana Volume 5, Number 1.
 * MacKay W. P. 1996. A revision of the ant genus Acanthostichus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Sociobiology 27: 129-179