Cissidium eciton sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 96EE6F6D-EB77-47FB-84A1-AE55DA4C1971

Figs 3G, 67

Etymology

Johnson ms name. Eciton, a genus of ants, is used as a noun in apposition.

Material examined

Holotype PANAMA • ♀; “ B[arro] C[olorado] I[sland] C.Z., debris from abandoned bivouac of Eciton burchelli, Berlese, CNHM”; 25.i.1959; “3cRu, FMNH (HD) 59.284(6 [another character at this point is indecipherable]”; H.S. Dybas leg.; FMNH.

Paratype PANAMA • 1 ♂; Chiriqui Prov., Castita Alta, Finca Larida, nr Boquete; 7750 ft a.s.l.; 17 Mar. 1959; forest floor litter under palms etc., H.S. Dybas leg.; FM(HD) # 59.257; MMUE. Fragments of a third specimen are also pinned with this specimen .

Description

SIZE. Habitus (Fig. 67A), length 0.67 mm.

COLOUR. Dark yellow brown, shining, pubescence, antennae and legs paler.

HEAD. With a deep transverse depression behind the eyes (Fig. 3G), width across eyes 0.19 mm; antennomeres III–XI length 0.38 mm, III–IX length 0.22 mm, X–XI length 0.16 mm; mentum as Fig. 4A.

PRONOTUM. Length 0.19 mm, width 0.27 mm, pubescent, without either foveolae or foveae; lateral margins rounded and narrowly bordered, the borders extending a short distance along the posterior margin, hind angles acute, emargination opposite the scutellum sinuous (Fig. 67B).

ELYTRA. Length 0.42 mm, width 0.37 mm, pubescent, setae same length as pronotum, without foveolae.

MESOVENTRITE. Collar with a narrow medial extension; mid-keel narrow, anterior corners almost obliterated before reaching collar, posterior corners not joining mesocoxal anterior borders, slightly raised at junction with keel; keel with ± four setae, long, narrow, pointed at termination between

the mesocoxae; mesoventral lateral margins partially obliterated, without serrations; humeri toothed (Fig. 67C).

METAVENTRITE. Length 0.15 mm, sparsely pubescent, female disc plain, male with a median depression, width across spines 0.09 mm; posterior margins of mesocoxal cavities without serrations.

WINGS. Macropterous.

GENITALIA. Female spermatheca globular.

Remarks

One of the five Panamanian species in this group. Distinguished by the short, effaced borders on the posterior margin of the pronotum.