Rasopone

Longino, John T. & Branstetter, Michael G., 2020, Phylogenomic Species Delimitation, Taxonomy, and ‘ Bird Guide’ Identification for the Neotropical Ant Genus Rasopone (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Insect Systematics and Diversity 4 (2), No. 1, pp. 1-33 : 29

Rasopone JTL042

( Fig. 7 ; Supp Fig. S42 [online only])

Geographic range. Colombia, Brazil (Pará).

Diagnosis

Mandible striate; otherwise very similar to R. lunaris ( Fig. 8 ; Supp Figs. S16–S18 [online only]).

Measurements, worker: HW 1.10 (0.94–1.23, 3); HL 1.22 (1.06– 1.35, 3); SL 0.87 (0.71–1.01, 3); PTH 0.80 (0.69–0.89, 3); PTL 0.43 (0.38–0.48, 3); CI 90 (89–91, 3); SI 79 (75–82, 3); PTI 54 (54–55, 3).

Biology

Two specimens are from the Santa Marta region of Colombia, one from seasonal forest at 260 m and one from montane forest at 1,300 m elevation. Both are from forest floor litter samples.

Comments

This species is a version of R. lunaris with striate mandibles. An old collection at MCZC is a pin with two workers labeled ‘ Para, Brazil, Beebe’. These specimens are a close match to the Colombian specimens, but given the geographic distance the similarity may be superficial and not reflect conspecificity.

Figures

Fig. 7. Distribution map, face view, and lateral view of petiole of Rasopone MAS010 (worker, Costa Rica, 08COSTA-1723), R. cryptergates (worker, Costa Rica, INB0003660648), R. JTL042 (worker, Colombia, MCZ-ENT00716611),and R. JTL034 (worker, Mexico, CASENT0640282). On distribution maps, red dots are sites with UCE sequence data. Red boxes are type locality.

Fig. 8. Distribution map, face view, and lateral view of petiole of Rasopone lunaris (worker, Brazil, Minas Gerais CASENT0644556), R. guatemalensis (holotype worker),R. costaricensis form c (worker,Costa Rica,INB0003659307),and R. JTL027 (worker,Panama,CASENT0633216).On distribution maps,red dots are sites with UCE sequence data. Red boxes are type locality.