Rhopalothrix ciliata Mayr, 1870

Guerrero, Roberto J., Grajales-Andica, Andres F., Fernandez, Fernando, Tocora, Maria C., Fiorentino, Gianpiero & Garcia, Delly R., 2024, The ants of the genus Rhopalothrix Mayr, 1870 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae) in Colombia, ZooKeys 1191, pp. 129-150 : 129

Rhopalothrix ciliata Mayr, 1870

Figs 2 , 4 , 5

Type material.

Lectotype. Colombia • 1 worker; Santa Fe de Bogota; G. Mayr, leg.; AntWeb image examined, CASENT0915695; NHMW.

Worker measurements

(N = 13). MdL 0.3-0.36, MdbW 0.05-0.09, ClyL 0.15-0.22, ClyW 0.32-0.47, HL 0.43-0.81, HW 0.49-0.72, WL 0.49-0.8, PrnW 0.29-0.45, PetL 0.28-0.35, PpetL 0.1-0.16, PetW 0.14-0.21, PpetW 0.23-0.37, T4L 0.43-0.68, GL 0.52-0.86.

Geographic range.

Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela. In Colombia, this species is known from Antioquia, Cundinamarca, Huila, Magdalena (Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta), Quindío and Valle del Cauca ( Fernández and Serna 2019). New records in Colombia come from Caldas, Risaralda, and Santander.

Examined material.

Colombia • 4 workers; Antioquia , Támesis, Vda. LaVirgen Fca La Cumbre ; 5.74531°N, 75.70542°W; 1610 m a.s.l.; 18 Aug. 2003; E. Patiño, leg.; winkler, low vegetation (stubble); IAvH 25286 to IAvH 25289. • 3 workers; Caldas , Aranzazu, Vda. Buenavista, Fca. La Palma ; 5.27956°N, 75.49238°W; 2025 m a.s.l.; 29-31 Jul. 2003; L.E. Franco & J. Cruz legs.; winkler, living fence; IAvH 25010. • 1 worker; Caldas , Aranzazu, Vda. Chamberry, Fca. Las Garzas ; 5.301939°N, 75.50144°W; 1940 m a.s.l.; 31 Jul.-4 Aug. 2003; L.E. Franco & J. Cruz legs.; winkler, mature forest fragment; IAvH 248793. • 1 worker; Caldas , Aranzazu, Vda. El Edén, Fca. El Gibarito ; 5.29681°N, 74.8867°W; 1930 m a.s.l.; 5-7 Aug. 2003; L.E. Franco & J. Cruz legs.; winkler, riparian vegetation; IAvH 56368. • 2 workers; Caldas , Aranzazu, Vda. Guiaira, Fca. Villa Ofelia ; 5.28549°N, 75.46419°W; 1965 m a.s.l.; 1-3 Aug. 2003; L.E. Franco & J. Cruz legs.; winkler, riparian vegetation; IAvH 54998. • 1 worker; Caldas , Aranzazu, Vda. La Guaira, Fca. Alto Bonito ; 5.27883°N, 72.48461°W; 2056 m a.s.l.; 25-26 Jul. 2003; L.E. Franco & J. Cruz legs.; winkler; IAvH 56374. • 1 worker; Caldas , Aranzazu, Vda. La Pradera, Fca. Mina Manzanillo ; 5.32169°N, 75.50144°W; 2080 m a.s.l.; 2-4 Aug. 2003; L.E. Franco & J. Cruz legs.; winkler, mature forest fragment; IAvH 55000. • 1 worker; Caldas , Aranzazu, Vda. San José, Fca. El Montier ; 5.32694°N, 72.99028°W; 1960 m a.s.l.; 2-4 Jul. 2003; L.E. Franco & J. Cruz legs.; winkler, secondary forest fragment; IAvH 25012. • 1 worker; Caldas , Aranzazu, Vda. San José, Fca. Santa Teresa ; 5.32475°N, 75.49786°W; 2005 m a.s.l.; 2-4 Aug. 2003; L.E. Franco & J. Cruz legs.; winkler; IAvH 56356. • 1 worker; Caquetá , PNN Picachos ; 2.7975°N, 74.8549°W; 1775 m a.s.l.; Nov. 1997; F. Escobar leg.; ICN-MHN 080314. • 1 worker; Quindío , Armenia, Parque de la Vida; 4.5461398°N, 75.65933°W; 151 m a.s.l.; 8 Oct. 2020; A.F. Grajales-Andica & D.R. García-Cárdena legs.; winkler, bamboo forest; CBUMAG:ENT:35948.• 1 worker; Quindío, Circasia, Fca. Calamar ; 5.9778°N, 75.7°W; 1450 m a.s.l.; 12 Oct. 1999; E. González leg.; winkler; IAvH 110900. • 1 worker; same data as for preceding; IAvH 80377. • 3 workers; Quindío, Filandia, Vda. Cruces , Fca. Agua Bonita ; 4.68581°N, 75.62822°W; 1830 m a.s.l.; 20-22 Jul. 2002; E. Jiménez & L.E. Franco legs.; winkler, riparian vegetation; IAvH 56350; • 1 worker; Quindío, Filandia, Vda. Cruces , Fca. Agua Bonita ; 4.68778°N, 75.62729°W; 1870 m a.s.l.; 21-23 Jul. 2002; E. Jiménez & L.E. Franco legs.; winkler, riparian vegetation; IAvH 56343. • 1 worker; Quindío, Filandia, Vda. Cruces , Fca Brasil; 4.68817°N, 75.64245°W; 1850 m a.s.l.; 24-26 Jul. 2002; E. Jiménez & L.E. Franco legs.; winkler, forest fragment; IAvH 56355. • 1 worker; Quindío, Filandia, Vda. Cruces , Fca. El Palacio ; 4.69325°N, 75.63291°W; 1810 m a.s.l.; 18-20 Jul. 2002; E. Jiménez & L.E. Franco legs.; winkler, forest edge; IAvH 56358. • 1 worker; Quindío, Filandia, Vda. Cruces , Fca El Roble ; 4.68239°N, 75.65247°W; 1990 m a.s.l.; 3-5 Jul. 2002; E. Jiménez & L.E. Franco legs.; winkler; IAvH 56365. • 3 workers; Quindío, Filandia, Vda. Cruces , Fca. La Cha ; 4.70468°N, 75.62649°W; 1920 m a.s.l.; 28-30 Jul. 2002; E. Jiménez & L.E. Franco legs.; winkler, forest; IAvH 56359. • 1 worker; Quindío, Filandia, Vda. Cruces , Fca La Tunja ; 4.68475°N, 75.65247°W; 2000 m a.s.l.; 17-19 Jul. 2002; E. Jiménez & L.E. Franco legs.; winkler, forest fragment; IAvH 56372. • 1 worker; Quindío, Filandia, Vda. Cruces , Fca Paraiso ; 4.695°N, 75.62278°W; 1870 m a.s.l.; 4-6 Jun. 2002; E. Jiménez & M.F. Reina, legs.; winkler, forest; IAvH 25870. • 3 workers; Quindío, Filandia, Vda. Cruces , Fca Paraiso ; 4.69767°N, 75.62582°W; 1910 m a.s.l.; 27-29 Jul. 2002; E. Jiménez & L.E. Franco legs.; winkler, forest; IAvH 56348. • 1 worker; same data as for preceding; IAvH-E-112817. • 1 worker; same data as for preceding; IAvH-E-112817. • 1 worker; Quindío, Filandia, Vda. Cruces , Fca Paraiso ; 4.69278°N, 75.62009°W; 1910 m a.s.l.; 7-9 Jul. 2002; E. Jiménez & M.F. Reina, legs.; winkler, riparian vegetation; IAvH 56361. • 1 worker; same data as for preceding; IAvH-E-248916. • 1 worker; same data as for preceding; IAvH 56342. • 1 worker; Quindío, Filandia, Vda. Cruces , Fca Paraiso ; 4.69302°N, 75.62009°W; 1910 m a.s.l.; 7-9 Jul. 2002; E. Jiménez & M.F. Reina, legs.; winkler, riparian vegetation; IAvH 56357. • 3 workers; same data as for preceding; IAvH 56362. • 1 worker; Quindío, Filandia, Vda. Cruces , Fca Paraiso ; 4.69302°N, 75.62009°W; 1910 m a.s.l.; 12-14 Jul. 2002; E. Jiménez & L.E. Franco legs.; winkler, riparian vegetation; IAvH 56349. • 3 workers; Quindío, Filandia, Vda. Cruces , Fca Veracruz ; 4.695°N, 75.60217°W; 28-30 Jul. 2002; 2010 m a.s.l.; E. Jiménez & L.E. Franco legs.; winkler, forest fragment; IAvH 56354. • 1 worker; Quindío, Filandia, Vda. Cruces , Fca Veracruz ; 4.70317°N, 75.62945°W; 2010; 5-7 Jul. 2002; E. Jiménez & M.F. Reina, legs.; winkler, plantation; IAvH 56351. • 3 workers; Risaralda, Pereira, Vda. La Aurora , Fca. Los Balcones ; 5.32714°N, 75.46688°W; 1957 m a.s.l.; 30 Jul-1 Aug. 2003; L.E. Franco & E. Londoño legs.; winkler, secondary forest fragment; IAvH 25007. • 1 worker; Risaralda, Pereira, Vda. La Suiza Fca. Cartón Colombia; 4.72544°N, 75.60016°W; 2100 m a.s.l.; 21-23 Nov. 2003; M.F. Reina & L.E. Franco legs.; winkler, Eucalyptus plantation; IAvH 25001. • 2 workers; Risaralda , Pereira, Vda. La Suiza, Fca. El Amparo de Niños; 4.7455°N, 75.59672°W; 1840 m a.s.l.; 28-30 Nov. 2003; L.E. Franco & E. Londoño legs.; winkler, mature forest; IAvH 24995. • 3 workers; Risaralda, Pereira , Vda. La Suiza, Fca. Lisdrand; 4.74293°N, 75.58028°W; 1930 m a.s.l.; 4-6 Dec. 2003; L.E. Franco & E. Londoño legs.; winkler, mature forest; IAvH 56360. • 1 worker; Risaralda, Pereira , Vda. La Suiza, Fca. Tesorito; 4.72236°N, 75.560108°W; 2050 m a.s.l.; 27-29 Nov. 2003; L.E. Franco & E. Londoño legs.; winkler, mature forest; IAvH 56366. • 1 worker; Risaralda, Pereira , Vda. La Suiza, SFF Otún Quimbaya; 4.71962°N, 75.58028°W; 1910 m a.s.l.; 26 Feb. 2003; L.E. Franco & E. Londoño legs.; winkler, urapán plantation; IAvH 56371. • 2 workers; Risaralda, Pereira , Vda. La Suiza, SFF Otun Quimbaya ; 4.71962°N, 75.580423°W; 1910 m a.s.l.; 11-13 Jan. 2003; L.E. Franco & E. Londoño legs.; winkler, urapán plantation; IAvH 24999. • 1 worker; Risaralda, Salamina, Vda. En Medio de Rio , Fca. Villa Belmira ; 5.33563°N, 75.48236°W; 1740 m a.s.l.; 29-31 Jul. 2003; L.E. Franco & J. Cruz, legs.; winkler, shade-grown coffee; IAvH 25003. • 1 worker; Santander, Piedecuesta, Cgto. Sevilla Vda. Cristales , reserva experimental demostrativa El Rasgón ; 7.05°N, 72.95°W; 2150 m a.s.l.; 21-23 Sep. 2004; I. Quintero & E. González legs.; winkler, high Andean forest; IAvH 71848. • 1 queen; Valle del Cauca, vda. La Quisiquina, Finca Casa Blanca ; 3.55°N, 76.15°W; 1914 m a.s.l.; Aug. 2006; Grupo hormigas UV., legs.; ex sifted leaf litter, forest fragment; MUSENUV HOR 006. • 1 worker; same data as for preceding; MUSENUV HOR 007. • 1 worker; same data as for preceding; IAvH-E-248789. • 1 worker; same data as for preceding; IAvH-E-248886 .

Natural history.

In Colombia, this species is known from forests at altitudes above 1500 m, with populations in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and in regions of the central and western cordilleras. It is a very abundant species in modified environments and in agroecosystems such as coffee crops that include native trees.

Comments.

The specimen from Caquetá (ICN-MHN 080314) is the largest worker (HW 0.72, WL = 0.8; Fig. 5 ) known so far compared to the other workers (HW 0.49-0.63, N = 12) studied here and the lectotype (HW 0.66, WL = 0.75; from Brown and Kempf 1960). A worker (IAvH 110900) from Quindío is the smallest (HW 0.49).

Figures

Figure 2. Distribution map of Rhopalothrix species in Colombia.

Figure 4. Rhopalothrix ciliata worker (CBUMAG: ENT: 35948) A full-face view B lateral view C mandible distinguishing the teeth of the apical fork; drawing inserted showing the arrangement of the teeth of the apical fork of the mandible D dorsal view. Scale bars: 0.3 mm (A, D); 0.5 mm (B).

Figure 5. Rhopalothrix ciliata worker (ICN 80314) A full-face view B lateral view C dorsal view. Scale bars: 0.2 mm.