Azteca longiceps 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 : 37-38

publication ID

21311

publication LSID

lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C31A1226-724D-4D1A-8471-E6BB441EE3EF

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6246522

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/BF3F2F92-9E41-2B74-723D-BBAD174D9137

treatment provided by

Thomas

scientific name

Azteca longiceps Emery
status

 

Azteca longiceps Emery View in CoL   HNS 1893

Figures 2,4A,4B,5,6D.

Azteca longiceps Emery   HNS 1893:344. Holotype queen: Costa Rica, Alajuela (Alfaro) [ MCSN] (examined).

Azteca prorsa Wheeler   HNS , 1942:238. Syntype workers: Guatemala, Escuintla, December 1911 (Wheeler), in hollow twigs of Triplaris auriculata [ LACM] (examined). NEW SYNONYMY

Queen characters. Measurements (n=9): HLA 1.47 (1.42-1.55), HW 0.86(0.84-0.91), SL 0.58 (0.56-0.61), CI 59 (57-60), SI 40 (38-41).

Palpal formula 5,3; middle and hind tibia with prominent pectinate apical spur; dorsal surface of mandible with row of large puncta at masticatory margin, these bearing long setae, about 4 large puncta posterior to this row, lacking setae, otherwise puncta small, surface microareolate, dull; medial and lateral clypeal lobes at about same level; head rectangular, posterior margin distinctly excised medially; petiolar node short, bluntly rounded; posteroventral petiolar lobe deep, strongly convex from front to back; scape with moderately abundant erect setae, about as long as one third maximum width of scape; middle and hind tibia with moderately abundant erect setae, longest about as long as one third to one half maximum width of tibia (MTSC 10-20), side of head with 0-4 short, inconspicuous erect setae, posterior margin of head with abundant long erect setae; pronotum with posterior row of erect setae, occasionally a pair of setae on the medial area; mesoscutum, scutellum and propodeum with moderately abundant erect setae; petiolar node in profile with 2-4 pairs erect setae projecting above apex, posteroventral lobe with abundant short erect setae; gastral terga with very sparse erect setae; general body color uniformly dark brown.

Worker characters. Measurements (n=6): HLA 1.10 (0.94-1.19), HW 0.84 (0.75-0.92), SL 0.54 (0.50- 0.58), CI 77 (74-80), SI 50 (49-54).

Palpal formula 5,3; middle and hind tibia with prominent pectinate apical spur; dorsal surface of mandible smooth and shiny on apical half or more, becoming microareolate and dull near base, with sparse puncta, row of puncta along masticatory margin with setae, others lacking setae; medial and lateral clypeal lobes at about same level; head elongate with weakly convex sides, strongly excavate posterior margin; in lateral profile pronotum shallowly convex, mesonotum more strongly convex and forming separate convexity that weakly protrudes above pronotum; scape with moderately abundant erect setae, length of setae about one half maximum width of scape; mid and hind tibia with abundant erect setae, longest about one half maximum width of tibia; side of head with 5-10 short erect setae; posterior margin of head with abundant short erect setae; pronotum, mesonotum, and propodeum with abundant erect setae; color brown.

Similar species. The 5,3 palpal formula, the presence of tibial spurs, and the elongate rectangular head places A. longiceps   HNS among the species treated in Longino (1996). The lack of conspicuous erect setae on the mandibles differentiates it from A. brevis   HNS and A. nigricans   HNS . The remaining similar species are A. beltii   HNS , A. oecocordia   HNS , and A. pittieri   HNS . Queens of A. longiceps   HNS differ from queens of A. beltii   HNS in the smaller size and brown color. They differ from A. pittieri   HNS in the relatively longer, more rectangular head (Fig. 4B). They differ from A. oecocordia   HNS in the less triangular petiolar node, more setose hind tibia, larger puncta on the mandible, and smaller size.

Range. Costa Rica, Guatemala.

Biology. The taxonomy and biology of A. longiceps   HNS was reviewed in Longino (1996). Azteca longiceps   HNS is an obligate inhabitant of myrmecophytic Triplaris trees.

Additional material examined. COSTA RICA: Limón: Fca. de E. Rojas, Sector Cerro Cocori , 10°36'N, 83°43'W, 150m , 1- 30 Apr 1994 (E. Rojas) - queen [ INBC] GoogleMaps ; Puntarenas: Guaria, rd to Monteverde , 10°15'N, 84°50'W, 700m , 5 Jul 1991 (J. Longino) - queens, workers GoogleMaps ; Ojo de Agua, rd to Monteverde , 10°16'N, 84°50'W, 800m (J. Longino) - males, queens, workers GoogleMaps ; Lindora, 2.5km SW Monteverde , 10°18'N, 84°50'W, 840m , 26 May 1991 (J. Longino) - queens, workers GoogleMaps ; same locality, 8 Jul 1991 (J. Longino) - queens, workers GoogleMaps ; Sector Laguna Meandrica, R B. Carara , 9°47'N, 83°25'W, 100m , 1- 30 Jun 1990 (R. Zuñiga) - queen [ INBC] GoogleMaps .

MCSN

Italy, Genova, Museo Civico di Storia Naturale "Giacomo Doria"

LACM

USA, California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History

INBC

Costa Rica, Santo Domingo de Heredia, Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad (INBio)

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Insecta

Order

Hymenoptera

Family

Formicidae

Genus

Azteca

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