Megalomyrmex mondabora Brandão

Longino, John T., 2010, A taxonomic review of the ant genus Megalomyrmex Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Central America, Zootaxa 2720, pp. 35-58 : 47-49

Megalomyrmex mondabora Brandão

( Figs 6 A, 8A–H)

Megalomyrmex mondabora Brandão, 1990: 442 , figs 95, 96. Holotype worker: Costa Rica, Cartago, Turrialba, 18–22 Jan 1973 (W. L. Brown Jr.) [MCZC] (examined).

Measurements (holotype): HW 0.742, HL 0.875, SL 1.078, EL 0.229, ML 1.34, SI 123, CI 85.

Measurements (n=10): HW 0.742–0.878, HL 0.874–0.963, SL 1.078–1.210, EL 0.299–0.302, ML 1.325–1.497, CI 85–92, SI 121–128.

Geographic range. Costa Rica.

Description. Queen (previously undescribed). Measurements (n=3): HW 0.939–0.972, HL 0.992–1.012, SL 1.146–1.172, EL 0.327–0.333, ML 1.602–1.645, CI 95–96, SI 114–118.

Palp formula 3,2; general shape, sculpture, and pilosity characters, including mandibular dentition and sculpture, similar to worker; parapsidal lines present, extending from posterior border of mesoscutum to midlength; wing venation as in Fig. 8 H.

Male (previously undescribed). Measurements (n=2): HW 0.813–0.923, HL 0.750–0.836, SL 0.344–0.401, EL 0.364–0.411, ML 1.378–1.553, CI 45, SI 46–48.

Palp formula 4,3; mandible with large apical tooth, more than twice length of subapical tooth, subapical tooth followed by 5 small basal teeth of somewhat irregular size and spacing; antenna with fourth segment bent, with a sharp kink at 3/4ths length, 5th and 6th segments weakly bent, remaining segments straight; occipital carina welldeveloped as a distinct flange, but not visible in full-face view; fused notaulae present anteromedially, parapsidal lines distinct; wing venation similar to queen; ventral margin of petiole a more delicate version of condition in worker and queen; abundant flexuous suberect setae on dorsal head, mesosoma, and metasoma; color dark red brown to black, appendages lighter amber, antennal segments 2, 3, and base of 4 nearly white; wings pale amber, nearly white.

Biology. In Costa Rica this species occurs in wet forest habitats, typically in mature rainforest. Collections are from sea level to 800 m elevation on the Atlantic slope of the Cordillera Volcanica Central, Cordillera de Talamanca, and Cordillera de Guanacaste. It is a specialized nest parasite of attines and is found most often in nests of Cyphomyrmex cornutus Kempf ( Adams & Longino 2007) . It cohabits with C. cornutus in their nests, feeding on both host brood and the host's fungal symbiont.

Comments. See further discussion under M. mondaboroides .

Additional material examined. COSTA RICA: Alajuela: Casa Eladio, Rio Penas Blancas, 10°19'N, 084°43'W, 800 m, 26 Apr 1987 (J. Longino); Guanacaste: Estacion Pitilla, Guanacaste Cons. Area, 10°59'N, 085°26'W, 700 m, wet forest, 11 Feb 1995 (J. Longino); Heredia: Cantarrana, 11 km ESE La Virgen, 10°20'43"N, 084°03'28"W, 300 m, mature wet forest, 21 Mar 2006 (Marcos M, Gilberth H, Felix C); 22 km N Volcan Barba, 10°20'N, 084°04'W, 500 m, 19 Jun 2002 (J. Longino); 11 km SE La Virgen, 10°18'59"N, 084°04'23"W, 570 m, wet forest, 11–24 Feb 2003 (A. G. Himler).

Figures

FIGURE 6. Contrasting propodeal shape and occipital carina of (A) mondabora and (B) mondaboroides.

FIGURE 8. Megalomyrmex mondabora. A. Worker (INBIOCRI 001280853), face view. B. Same, lateral view. C. Queen (CASENT 0613271), face view. D. Same, lateral view. E. Male (JTLC 000001520), face view. F. Same, lateral view. G. Male antenna. H. Queen fore and hindwing. Scale bars on face views = 0.5 mm, on lateral views and wings = 1.0 mm.