Apterostigma fitzgeraldi, Neal A. Weber, University of North Dakota, 1936

Neal A. Weber, University of North Dakota, 1936, The biology of the fungus-growing ants. Part. I. New forms. 1, Revista de Entomologia 7, pp. 378-409 : 393-394

Apterostigma fitzgeraldi , sp. nov.

Worker: Length 3 mm. - Head, excluding mandibles, 1.4 times as long as wide, occipital margin rounded except for feeble median impression, sides sub-parallel, being slightly wider posteriorly, anterior clypeal margin convex. Eyes, seen from in front, hemispherical. Frontal lobes semi-circular, raised at a low angle. Antennal scapes stout, feebly sinuate, exceeding occipital margin by a distance equal to nearly twice the distal diameter. All joints of funiculus but first and last much broader than long, terminal joint slightly shorter than joints 5-9 taken together.

Anterior margin of pronotum extended as two low, rounded lobes. In profile the pronotum and mesonotum, anteriorly, are feebly convex, the posterior or declivous surface of mesonotum is produced as a broad tubercle. The declivity is continued sharply downward to the mesoepinotal impression which bears an upright and distinct tooth. In profile the basal surface of the epinotum is flat, higher anteriorly than posteriorly, and the declivous surface is concave. Seen from above the mesonotal tubercles appear as anteriorly diverging lobes enclosing a concave depression, the teeth in the mesoepinotal depression appear as two high and narrowly compressed and almost transverse carinae, and the basal surface of the epinotum bears on each side very feeble ridges.

Petiole in profile slightly concave anteriorly, with rounded node, 0.8 as long as postpetiole. The latter in profile with nearly flat dorsal surface evenly rounded at both ends, ventral surface in form of obtuse angle with slightly concave sides. Postpetiole from above pyriform with rounded but moderately deep postero-medial impression. Gaster distinctly but not strongly marginate. Legs moderately long and slender.

Integument opaque, largely obscured by pilosity. Mandibles finely striate, shining. - Pilosity of abundant short and appressed hairs of variable length and fine appressed pubescence.. - Brown, appendages paler.

Described from one worker taken by myself June 29,. 1935, in the foothills north of Tunapuna, Trinidad, B. W. I..

This species is noteworthy in the possession of distinct carinae in the mesoepinotal impression which appear as a single tooth in profile. It is intermediate in size between A. mayri and A. wasmanni , found in the same locality, but is markedly different from both in other charactersIt is dedicated to my friend Mr. Desmond Vesey-Fitzgerald in memory of many trips made together to the less-known parts of Trinidad

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