Azteca alfari Emery

Longino, J. T., 2007, A taxonomic review of the genus Azteca (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Costa Rica and a global revision of the aurita group., Zootaxa 1491, pp. 1-63 : 15-19

Azteca alfari Emery 1893

Figures 2,4A,5,6C,7.

Azteca alfari Emery 1893:338. Lectotype worker: Jiménez, Atlantic slope , Costa Rica (Alfaro) [ MCSN] (examined). Description of queen: Emery 1896b:4 [as alfaroi ].

Azteca bicolor Emery 1893:341. Lectotype queen: Brazil, Matto Grosso (Germain) [ MCSN] (examined). Synonymy by Longino 1991b:1575.

Azteca alfaroi race lucidula Forel 1899:113. Lectotype queen: Trinidad (Urich) [ MHNG] (examined). Synonymy by Longino 1989a:5.

Azteca virens Forel 1899:115. Syntype workers: Brazil, Amazonas, Pará ( Göldi) [ MCZC] (examined). Synonymy by Longino 1989a:5.

Azteca alfari subsp. cecropiae Forel 1906:240. Lectotype worker: Brazil, Amazonas, Manaus (Huber) [ MHNG] (examined). Description of queen, male: Forel 1908b:387. Synonymy by Longino 1989a:5.

Azteca alfari var. mixta Forel 1908b:386. Lectotype queen: San Bernardino , Paraguay (Fiebrig) [ MHNG] (examined). Synonymy by Longino 1989a:6.

Azteca alfaroi var. fumaticeps Forel 1909:250. Syntype workers: Mexico, Buenaventura (Ross) [ MHNG] (examined). Description of queen: Wheeler 1942:218. Synonymy by Longino 1989a:7.

Azteca alfari var. curtiscapa Forel 1912:51. Lectotype queen: Panama (Christophersen) [ MHNG] (examined). Synonymy by Longino 1989a:7.

Azteca foreli race breviscapa Forel 1912:51 [first available use of Azteca foreli race championi var. breviscapa Forel 1899:112. Syntype workers: Costa Rica (Tonduz) [ MCZC, USNM] (examined). Synonymy by Longino 1989a:7.

Azteca alfari var. argentina Forel 1914:287. Syntype workers: Argentina, Misiones, Santa Ana (Bruch) [ MHNG] (examined). Description of major worker and queen: Gallardo 1916:115. Synonymy by Longino 1989a:7.

Azteca lynchi Brethes 1914:93. Syntype worker(s): Bolivia ( Arribálzaga) . Subspecies of A. alfari : Gallardo 1916:118. Synonymy by Longino 1989a:7.

Azteca alfari var. langi Wheeler 1942:218. Syntype workers, queens, males: Guyana, Kamakusa (Lang) [ MCZC] (examined). Synonymy by Longino 1989a:7.

Azteca alfari subsp. lucidula var. zonalis Wheeler 1942:222 (unavailable name). Workers, queens: Panama, Corozal , 21.xi.1911 (Wheeler) [ MCZC] (examined). Identification as A. alfari : Longino 1989a:7.

Queen characters. Measurements (n=21): HLA 1.62 (1.51-1.69), HW 1.32 (1.26-1.43), SL 0.76 (0.71- 0.85), CI 83 (80-86), SI 47 (45-51).

Palpal formula 5,3; middle and hind tibia with prominent pectinate apical spur; dorsal surface of mandible largely smooth, with sparse small piligerous puncta, setae in puncta short, larger puncta with long setae near masticatory margin; medial and lateral clypeal lobes at about same level (medial lobe not projecting anteriorly); head weakly quadrate; petiolar node acute, triangular, neither strongly flattened nor bluntly rounded; posteroventral petiolar lobe well-developed, evenly convex; scape and tibia lacking setae, sides of head lacking setae, posterior margin of head with abundant curved setae, pronotum with posterior row of curved setae, mesoscutum with sparse setae, scutellum and propodeum with more abundant setae, petiolar node with cluster of erect setae, third abdominal tergum with abundant erect setae, fourth and fifth abdominal terga with 0-6 erect setae exclusive of posterior row; color light red brown to black.

Worker characters. Measurements (n=13): HLA 0.99 (0.80-1.24), HW 0.88 (0.72-1.07), SL 0.60 (0.53- 0.72), CI 91 (86-94), SI 62 (58-69).

Palpal formula 5,3; middle and hind tibia with prominent pectinate apical spur; dorsal surface of mandible largely smooth, with sparse small piligerous puncta, setae in puncta short, larger puncta with long setae near masticatory margin; medial and lateral clypeal lobes at about same level, medial lobe at most weakly projecting beyond lateral lobes; head with convex sides, strongly cordate posterior margin; mesosoma in lateral profile with promesonotum forming a continuous convexity or mesonotum somewhat elevated above pronotum; posterior mesonotum drops gradually to narrow metanotal groove such that posterior mesonotum, metanotal groove, and dorsal face of propodeum form a broad, shallow V (dorsal face of propodeum and broad metanotal groove do not form flat, step-like junction with posterior mesonotum); scape and tibia lacking setae, sides of head lacking setae, posterior margin of head with sparse to abundant erect setae, pronotum, mesonotum, and dorsal face of propodeum with conspicuous erect setae, mesonotum usually with about 8 erect setae of relatively uniform length (range 2-17; contrast with A. ovaticeps ); color brown to yellow.

Similar species. Azteca alfari is most similar to A. ovaticeps (Longino 1989a). See differentiating characters in key and under A. ovaticeps . Workers of A. alfari may also be confused with workers of A. forelii . Mandibles of A. alfari workers are smooth and shiny; mandibles of A. forelii workers are roughened and dull.

Range. Central Mexico to northern Argentina.

Biology. The taxonomy and biology of A. alfari are reviewed in Longino (1989a, 1991b).

Azteca alfari is an obligate Cecropia ant. It is the most widespread of the Cecropia ants, extending into the subtropics at both ends of its range. Throughout the range it is the Cecropia ant most likely to be found in open or highly disturbed areas. Founding queens are frequent in Cecropia saplings. As trees grow and form multiple branches, the nests become polydomous. Workers and brood are dispersed in branch tips, and the bole and inner portions of branches are progressively abandoned (Longino 1991a). Workers vary in aggressiveness geographically and over time. Workers in young colonies are usually aggressive, but in many cases workers in mature colonies are less aggressive, retreating inside of stems on disturbance (Longino 1991a).

Material examined. See Longino (1989a).