Zatania gloriosa, John S. Lapolla, Robert J. Kallal & Seán G. Brady, 2012

John S. Lapolla, Robert J. Kallal & Seán G. Brady, 2012, A new ant genus from the Greater Antilles and Central America, Zatania (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), exemplifies the utility of male and molecular character systems, Systematic Entomology 37, pp. 200-214 : 210-211

Zatania gloriosa , sp.n.

[ Figs 16–19 (worker), 32 –33 (queen), 34–39 (male)]

Holotype worker, MEXICO: Chiapas: 2 km south of Plaýon de la Gloria, 16.1385◦N, 90.90147◦W, 22 July 2007 (R.S. Anderson) (USNM). Six paratype workers from the same locality as the holotype (USNM, MCZC).

Worker diagnosis. A slender species, with a distinctly narrow head; overall coloration brown with areas of brownish yellow on head (mandibles and antennae, particularly around torulae and proximal end of scapes and funiculus), mesosoma along segmental margins, legs at joints (mesoleg and metaleg almost entirely brownish yellow), and gaster venter and along segmental margins; propodeum with low, gently rounded dorsal face. Measurements (n = 5): TL 2.49–2.69 mm; HW 0.57– 0.64 mm; HL 0.74– 0.78 mm; EL 0.22–0.25 mm; SL 1.22–1.47 mm; PW 0.44– 0.50 mm; WL 1.27–1.44 mm; PrFL 0.98–1.10 mm; PrFW 0.16–0.19 mm; GL 1.31–1.44 mm. Indices: CI 76–78; REL 29–32; SI 212 –235.

Species description

Worker. Overall coloration brown, with areas of brownish yellow across body; cuticle smooth and shining. Head distinctly longer than wide (CI 76–78) and strongly oval in shape; mandibles brownish yellow, typically with six teeth (although in some specimens fifth tooth between basal tooth and fourth tooth small and sometimes abraded away or otherwise missing); posterolateral corners of head indistinct and rounded; posterior margin short; erect macrosetae concentrated medially, where they are roughly paired and along head margins; head with layer of pubescence. Scapes surpass posterior margin by length of first five funicular segments; scapes lacking erect setae, but layer of pubescence present; antennae lighter than head, becoming brownish yellow to yellow around torulae and proximal end of scapes and funiculus. Eyes large and convex taking up about one-third of lateral margin of head. Pronotum with scattered erect setae; notum with sparse pubescence; metanotal area distinct, but short; dorsal face of propodeum not higher than remainder of notum, gently rounded; legs lighter than body; procoxae brown, with mesocoxae and metacoxae yellowish brown; prolegs yellowish brown, with mesoleg femur brownish becoming brownish yellow to white; metaleg entirely brownish yellow to white; gaster with scattered erect setae and layer of pubescence; dorsally gaster brown except along segmental margins, which are brownish yellow to white; ventrally gaster brownish yellow to white.

Queen. Generally matches worker description, with modifications expected for caste. Coloration pattern generally similar to workers, but darker brown and more white found on funiculus, mesosoma, legs and gaster than in workers.

Male. Overall coloration with yellowish brown head, yellow antennae and remainder of body golden brown. Head longer than broad, dominated by large, convex compound eyes that take up most of lateral margin of head; mandibles yellow, with prominent, pointed apical tooth; remainder of masticatory margin smooth, with indistinct, rounded basal angle that seamlessly blends into inner mandibular margin; erect macrosetae concentrated medially, where they are roughly paired, and along head margins; head with layer of pubescence. Scapes surpass posterior margin by length of first three funicular segments; scapes lacking erect setae, but layer of pubescence present. Mesosoma modified for presence of wing; erect setae scattered across mesonotum and metanotum; propodeum indistinct, with very short dorsal face and long declivitous face. Gaster with scattered erect setae and layer of pubescence; whitish in colour in area immediately preceding genitalia (see Figs 36– 39).

Measurements (n = 2): TL 2.68–2.86 mm; HW 0.64– 0.65 mm; HL 0.56 –0.59 mm; EL 0.29– 0.31 mm; SL 1.02–1.03 mm; PW 0.57– 0.58 mm; WL 1.05–1.16 mm; PrFL 0.94–0.99 mm; PrFW 0.15–0.16 mm; GL 1.04–1.14 mm.

Indices: CI 110–116; REL 52 –53; SI 145.

Etymology. The species epithet is in reference to the type locality and also the interesting coloration pattern of the workers of this species.

Non-type material. HONDURAS: Atlantida: 10 km SSW Tela, 15.69714◦N, 87.47451◦W, 610 m a.s.l., 17 June 2010, LLAMA#Wm-C-08-2-02, tropical wet forest, ex. sifted leaf litter (two workers).

Notes. The coloration pattern of Z. gloriosa workers and queens is particularly striking, and is unlike any other species in the genus. The worker has a distinctly narrow, oval-shaped head, also unlike any other extant species in the genus (it is similar to the fossil species Z. electra †). The type series nest was collected from a rainforest in sifted leaf litter, as were the two workers collected from Honduras.