Prionopelta punctulata Mayr, 1866

Ladino, Natalia & Feitosa, Rodrigo M., 2020, Taxonomic revision of the genus Prionopelta Mayr, 1866 (Formicidae: Amblyoponinae) for the Neotropical region, Zootaxa 4821 (2), pp. 201-249 : 240-243

Prionopelta punctulata Mayr, 1866

Figures 29–33 , 35D

Prionopelta punctulata Mayr, 1866: 505 . Holotype queen: BRAZIL: Paraná [NHMW] (examined by images).

= Prionopelta mayri Forel, 1909: 239 . Holotype worker: BRAZIL, Santa Catarina, Hecko, CASENT0915650 [NHMW]. Synonymy by Brown, 1960:178.

= Prionopelta bruchi Santschi, 1923: 245 . Syntype workers: ARGENTINA, Cordoba, Alta Gracia, C. Bruch 1922 (2 specimens examined) [NHMB]. Synonymy by Brown, 1960:178.

Diagnosis. Lateral portion of frons shallowly sculptured. Clypeus strongly projected medially. Eleven antennomeres. Margins of subpetiolar process apically convergent.

Worker measurements (n=8). HL 0.46–0.52; HW 0.40–0.44; SL 0.22–0.27; WL 0.54 –0.60; PrL 0.22–0.24; PrW 0.20–0.30; PetNL 0.12–0.16; PetW 0.22–0.26; PetH 0.14–0.19; PetL 0.14–0.20; T1L 0.18–0.26; T1W 0.30– 0.38; TL 1.32–1.56; CI 80–91; SI 50–62; PetI 150–208; PetHI 87–112; PetWI 120–157.

Queen measurements (n=3). HL 0.52–0.58; HW 0.48–0.50; SL 0.24–0.30; WL 0.79–0.87; PrL 0.13–0.21; PrW 0.32–0.34; PetNL 0.15–0.20; PetW 0.24–0.30; PetH 0.21–0.23; PetL 0.18–0.20; T1L 0.28–0.33; T1W 0.41–0.46; TL 1.83–1.91; CI 85–92; SI 48–62; PetI 150–173; PetHI 110–127; PetWI 120–166.

Male measurements (n=3). HL 0.46–0.54; HW 0.52–0.58; SL 0.08–0.13; WL 0.80–0.90; PrL 0.06–0.10; PrW 0.17–0.19; PetNL 0.14–0.19; PetW 0.24–0.26; PetH 0.14–0.20; PetL 0.14–0.28; T1L 0.23–27; T1W 0.38–0.45; TL 1.67–1.99; CI 96–117; SI 14–23; PetI 136–178; PetHI 71–118; PetWI 93–171.

Worker description. Body pale yellow, matte or shiny. Integument covered by sparse punctulate sculpturing; head dorsum with space between the punctures one or two puncture diameters.

Head longer than broad; length of median tooth of mandible shorter than basal tooth; basal margin of mandible convex. Clypeus slightly projecting medially. Eleven antennomeres; antennomeres 1–4 separated by shallow constrictions. Eye placed at the head midlength.

Pronotum almost as long as broad. Distance between the propodeal spiracle and the bulla of the metapleural gland corresponding to one spiracular diameter; distance between the propodeal spiracle and the propodeal dorsum corresponding to two spiracular diameters.

Petiolar node as long as high. Subpetiolar process subtriangular or falciform, with its anterior and posterior margin converging apically; posterior margin concave; posteroventral angle mainly obtuse or acute.

Queen. Like workers, with the expected morphology of Prionopelta queens.

Male. Anterior clypeal margin projecting medially; head dorsum with dense punctulate sculpture, opaque. Distance between the propodeal spiracle and the bulla of the metapleural gland corresponding to one spiracular diameter; distance between the propodeal spiracle and the propodeal dorsum corresponding to almost two spiracular diameters.

Etymology. Although not specified in the original description, the name probably refers to the punctulate body sculpturing.

Distribution ( Fig. 35D ). Prionopelta punctulata is known from northern Brazil to northwestern Argentina.

Comments. The species is easily distinguished from other Neotropical Prionopelta by its diagnostic characteristics. Prior to this study, Prionopelta punctulata was the only Neotropical species of the genus with 11 antennomeres. Here, we described two new species with the same antennal count. Prionopelta punctulata can be easily separated from P. menininha and P. tapatia by the very marked medial projection of the anterior clypeal margin, the finer sculpture of the head dorsum, and the margins of the subpetiolar process converging apically.

The description of the genus is based on the characteristics of the queen, collected in southern Brazil (Paraná) and described by Mayr (1866) as P. punctulata ( Fig. 29 ). The first worker was found in Santa Catarina, and after its description, the specimen was associated with the P. punctulata queen by Mayr (1887). Forel (1909) considered the worker to be a distinct species, which he named Prionopelta mayri . Prionopelta bruchi , from Argentina, was subsequently described by Santschi (1923). Brown (1960) synonymized these last two names under P. punctulata arguing that the differences between them were negligible, probably due to a different viewing angle, interpretation, and allometric variation. We concur with Brown’s synonymy. The distribution of Prionopelta punctulata is mostly centered in southern Brazil and northwestern Argentina. However, there are a few isolated records in the Brazilian central state of Goiás, in Bahia and Piauí in the northeast ( Jory & Feitosa, 2020). However, the most peculiar record for the species is from the Central Amazon, in northern Brazil. Despite these isolated records, the specimens from all series can be perfectly recognized as P. punctulata .

Natural history. Little is known of its biology. The species is mainly known from litter samples collected in tropical forests; reported at elevations of 170- 876m.

Additional material examined(286 s pecimens). ARGENTINA:Misiones: Iguassu, 25°42’16’’S, 54°21’17’’W, 22-24.ix.1996, RBINS Leponce col., T2.17, leaf 24h, (1 worker) [CEPEC]. Tucumán: N. Kusnezov col., ML10070, Prionopelta bruchi (1 queen, 2 males) [MZSP]; same data, -26.824144 -65.2226, ANTC4710, CASENT0102503 (1 queen) [MHNG]; same data, ANTC6537, CASENT0172312 (1 queen) [ANIC]; same data, 170m, ANTC6538, CASENT0172313 (1 male) [ANIC]; Sammiung, Fritz Schneider, Wadenswil, 1997 (3 males) [NHMB]; (1 male) [DZUP]. Santiago del Estero: Loreto, Mis. Dr. Ogloblin, Prionopelta bruchi (1 worker) [MZSP]. BRAZIL: Amazonas: PDBFF, Cidade Powell, 02°38’69’’S 59°87’49’’W, 20.viii.2016, Fernandes I.O. leg., coleta manual de solo (6 workers) [INPA]; (18 workers) [DZUP]. Bahia: Sambaiba, 11.i.1996, Nascimento I. (1 worker) [MZSP]; same data (3 workers) [CEPEC]; (1 worker) [DZUP]; same data, Mata Atlântica, 11°12’11’’S 38°03’0.5’’W, i.1996, Nascimento I. col. (1 queen) [UFGD]. Goiás: Jataí, Faz. Ariranha, 17°57’40’’S 51°51’24’’W, 802m, 05.ii.2009, G.G. Santos col., Mini-Winkler (2 workers) [DZUP]. Faz. Lageado 17°49’51’’S 51°31’21’’W, 856m, 19.ii.2009 (1 worker) [DZUP]. Faz. Leão, 17°48’23’’S 51°41’45’’W, 855m, 08.ii.2009, G.G. Santos col., Mini-Winkler (2 workers) [DZUP]; same data, 17°48’24’’S 51°41’41’’W, 861m, 21.ii.2009 (6 workers) [DZUP]. Faz. Rio Paraíso, 17°44’6’’S 51°34’30’’W, 08.xi.2011, Diniz col., Winkler, A3: cerrado, s. stricto (37 workers) [DZUP]; (2 workers) [MZSP]. Faz. Sertãozinho, 17°55’10’’S 51°45’32.7’’W, 657m, 05.ii.2009, G.G. Santos col., Mini-Winkler (21 workers, 1 queen) [DZUP]. Faz. Sta. Gertrudes, 17°50’10’’S 51°43’09’’W, 815m, 01.ii.2009, G.G. Santos col., Mini-Winkler (20 workers, 2 queens) [DZUP]; (1 worker) [MZSP]. Faz. Bonito, 18°24’15’’S 52°03’19’’W, 687m, 12.iv.2009, G.G. Santos col., Mini-Winkler, S. officinarum (33 workers) [DZUP]; (8 workers) [INPA]; (1 worker) [NHMB]. Faz. Perdiz, 18°24’16’’S 52°03’20’’W, 687m, 12.iv.2009, G.G. Santos col., Mini-Winkler (7 workers) [DZUP]. Mato Grosso do Sul: Alcinópolis, P.N.M. Templo dos Pilares, Gruta da Lagoa, 18°08’56.7’’S 53°40’43.5’’W, 625m, 02-04.xi.2018, Silvestre R. et al. cols., Winkler (1 worker) [UFGD]. Corumbá, 18°58’45’’S 56°38’33’’W, 13-14.i.2016, Reis Filho W. et al. cols., Winkler (4 workers) [DZUP]. Faz. Nhumirin, 18-20.vii.2016, Reis Filho W. et al., cols. pitfall (2 workers) [DZUP]; same data, 13-14.i.2016 (3 workers) [DZUP]. Porto Murtinho, Chaco Florestado, Faz. Patolá, 21°42’0.29’’S 57°43’7.73’’W, 07.iii.2012, P.R. Souza & N. Rodrigues cols. (1 worker) [UFGD]. Minas Gerais: Uberlândia, Reserva Ecologica Panga, 19°10.840S 48°23.952W, 10.ix.2014, Formigas do Brasil cols., pitfall (1 worker) [DZUP]; same data, 19°10’02”S 48°23’37’’W, 01.x.2002, Cauê T. Lopes col. (1 worker) [UFGD]. Piauí: Caracol, P.N. da Serra das Confusões, AntPeldT3 705m, 9°13’20.86’’S 43°28’3.11W, 03-07.iii.2016, R.M. Feitosa, G.P. Camacho & M.F.O. Martins cols. (1 worker) [DZUP]. Cel. José Dias, P. N. da Serra da Capivara, AntPeldAltoT1, 8°44’30.02’’S 42°31’2.58’’W 590m, 08-12.iii.2016 R.M. Feitosa, G.P. Camacho & M.F.O. Martins cols. (1 worker) [DZUP]; same data, AntPeldAltoT2 (1 worker) [DZUP]. Santa Catarina: Blumenau, Reinchersperger leg. (3 workers) [NHMB]. Lauro Muller, Sul, xii.2011 -i..2012, 670456.00 (UTM long) 6859772.00 (UTM lat), M.L.C. Bartz et al. cols. (2 workers) [DZUP]; TSBF IT503 (2 workers) [DZUP]; pitfall IP501 (1 worker) [DZUP]. São Paulo: Agudos, 16.i.1955, W. Kempf col., (1 worker) [MZSP]; same data, 02.xi.1953, #948 (6 workers, 2 males) [MZSP]; same data, 26.xi.1955, #1472 (3 workers) [MZSP]; same data, 23.xi.1955 (4 workers) [MZSP]; same data, 10.i.1956 (1 worker) [MZSP]; same data, 30.i.1955, #1359 (2 workers) [MZSP]; same data, 21.xi.1955, #1463 (1 worker) [MZSP]; same data, 06.iii.1955, C. Gilbert col., #1392 (1 queen) [MZSP]; same data, vii.1959, C. Gilbert col., #3079 (1 worker) [MZSP]; same data, xi.1959, #3216 (1 worker) [MZSP]. Juquitiba, 30.x.1960, W. Kempf col., #3622 (6 workers) [MZSP]. Mirassol, 13.x.1971, J. Diniz col., #364, 10793 (1 worker) [MZSP]; same data, 09.ii.1972, #439, 10795 (6 workers) [MZSP]; same data, 1972, #470, 1105 (3 workers) [MZSP]; same data, Faz. B. Grande, 25.i.1975, #733, sob tronco podre (4 workers) [DZUP]; same data, Groto Parque, 23.ii.1977, #1350, em tronco (2 workers) [DZUP]. Monte Aprazível, Fazenda Bacurí, 27.ii.1974, J. Diniz, #697 (2 workers) [DZUP]; (2 workers) [MZSP]; same data, Rio São José dos Dourados, 11.ii.1976, Diniz, #926, sob tronco podre (3 workers) [DZUP]; (3 workers) [MZSP]. Parelheiro, 28.xii.1962, W.W Kempf, #5293 (1 worker) [MZSP]. Tocantins: Porto Nacional, Fazenda Alto Paraíso, 10°43’32’’S 48°28’05’’W, 05-06.x.2001, Albuquerque & Silva cols., Winkler (3 workers) [DZUP]; (6 workers) [MZSP]. PARAGUAY: Canindeyú: Salto del Guaira, -24.0625 -54.306946, 30.x.1979, F. Baud col., ANTC4712, CASENT0102586 (3 workers) [MHNG]; same data, CASENT0102505 (3 workers) [MHNG]. Reserva Natural del Bosque Mbaracayú, Jejuimí, -24.133333 -55.533333, 170m, 12.xi.2002, A.L. Wild col., AW1679, humid subtropical tall forest edge, under rotting wood, CASENT0173506 (1 worker, 1 queen, 1 male) [ALWC]; CASENT0173507 (1 queen) [ALWC]; CASENT0173508 (1 male) [ALWC].

Figures

FIGURE 29. Holotype queen of Prionopelta punctulata (Brazil, Paraná). A. Full-face view; B. Lateral view; C. Dorsal view. Modified from images taken by Dominique Zimmermann, NHMW.

FIGURE 30. Worker of Prionopelta punctulata (Brazil, Amazonas). A. Full-face view; B. Lateral view; C. Dorsal view.

FIGURE 31. Queen of Prionopelta punctulata (Brazil, Goiás). A. Full-face view; B. Lateral view; C. Dorsal view.

FIGURE 32. Male of Prionopelta punctulata (Argentina, Tucumán). A. Full-face view; B. Lateral view; C. Dorsal view.

FIGURE 33. Worker of Prionopelta punctulata (Brazil, Goiás). A. Head dorsum, note the number of antennomeres and shape of clypeus, B. Habitus, C. Detail of subpetiolar process.

FIGURE 35. Distribution maps for Neotropical Prionopelta species. Black triangles indicate already known species, white circles indicate new species described here. Red symbols indicate the type locality of each species.