Lachnomyrmex fernandezi Feitosa & Brandao, 2008

Feitosa, R. M. & Brandão, C. R. F., 2008, A taxonomic revision of the Neotropical myrmicine ant genus Lachnomyrmex Wheeler (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Zootaxa 1890, pp. 1-49 : 13-15

Lachnomyrmex fernandezi Feitosa & Brandao , new species

Figures 3, 18

Holotype worker. COLOMBIA: Santander: Mpio. Socorro, Vda. Alto Chochos, Fca. El Laurel , 06°28'37"N 73°13'33"W, 23.iii.2004, G. Zabala col., no. 25403, specimen code CASENT0173880 [ IHVL] .

Paratypes. same data as holotype, no. 25402 (1 worker) [ ICNC] ; same data, no. 25404 (1 worker) [ MZSP] ; COLOMBIA: Santander: Charala Virolin, Cost. El Fara , 06°06'N 73°13'W, 29.iii.1999, E. L. Gonzalez col., no. 72097 (1 worker) [ IHVL] ; Tolima: Boqueron , 9.ix.1996, E. Palacio col., no. 72099 (1 worker) [ IHVL] .

Worker diagnosis. Body covered by continuous, vermiculate rugae; promesonotum weakly convex in profile; metanotal groove deeply impressed; teeth of propodeal lobes well developed; dorsum of postpetiole with more than 10 long hairs; surface of first gastral tergite somewhat opaque and entirely covered by long flexuous hairs.

Holotype measurements. HL 0.67; HW 0.65; ML 0.22; SL 0.39; EL 0.14; WL 0.77; PSL 0.19; PL 0.31; PPL 0.16; GL 0.85; TL 2.98; CI 97; SI 61; OI 22.

Worker measurements (n=3). HL 0.66; HW 0.64-0.65; ML 0.22-0.23; SL 0.39; EL 0.13-0.14; WL 0.72-0.77; PSL 0.17-0.19; PL 0.29-0.32; PPL 0.14-0.16; GL 0.80-0.87; TL 2.84-2.99; CI 97-98; SI 59-62; OI 20-22.

Worker description. Color medium to dark brown, with appendages somewhat lighter. Head and mesosoma covered by continuous, somewhat sparse, longitudinal rugae, transverse on anterior portion of pronotum, grading to longitudinal on rest of promesonotum, mesopleura and lateral surfaces of propodeum; mandibles with longitudinal striae restricted to basal portion and external borders; petiole and postpetiole finely and irregularly rugose; surface of gaster opaque, when compared to other species in the genus. Abundant pilosity on head and mesosoma dorsum; dorsum of petiolar node and postpetiole each with more than 10 long hairs; first gastral tergite entirely covered by long flexuous hairs.

Head slightly longer than broad, with vertexal margin strongly convex; frontal lobes discretely angulate laterally; eyes well developed, with about seven facets on maximum diameter. Promesonotum only moderately convex in profile, but higher than level of propodeum; metanotal groove relatively narrow and deeply impressed; propodeal spines long and straight; teeth of propodeal lobes well developed, slightly surpassing half-length of propodeal spines. Petiolar node only moderately elevated, dorsally rounded, and with the posterior face gently sloped in lateral view; postpetiole feebly convex dorsally and without ventral processes.

Gyne. Unknown.

Etymology. This species is named in honor of the Colombian colleague Dr. Fernando Fernandez, for his important contribution to Neotropical Myrmecology.

Comments. This species is quite similar to and shares the regular pattern of body sculpturation with Lachnomyrmex haskinsi, L. mackayi and L. regularis . However, L. fernandezi differs from these species by the slightly opaque gaster, entirely covered by long flexuous hairs, which are present only near the petiolar insertion in L. mackayi , while in L. haskinsi and L. regularis the gaster is virtually glabrous.

Lachnomyrmex fernandezi has been recorded in Colombian submontane forests (440-1800m). Nothing is known of the natural history of this species.