# First Record ofLenomyrmex inusitatus (Formicidae: Myrmicinae) in Ecuador and  Description of the Queen

Authors: T. Delsinne; F. Fernández
Journal: Psyche
 (2012)

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## Abstract

The rarely collected antLenomyrmex inusitatus Fernández 2001 is recorded for the first time in Ecuador. The queen is described. The new record is the southernmost limit of distribution for the genus. A key to the workers of the six Lenomyrmex species and a key for the known queens are provided.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

The myrmicine ant genusLenomyrmex Fernández and Palacio 1999 includes six species rarely collected from Costa Rica to Ecuador [1–3]. The genus is characterised by elongate mandibles bearing a series of minute peg-like denticles that arise behind the masticatory margin, by frontal lobes that are poorly expanded laterally, by large and deep antennal fossae, and by pedunculate petiole, with a poorly defined node [1]. The fact that Lenomyrmex possesses both primitive (e.g., promesonotal suture well developed) and derived (e.g., specialized morphology of the mandibles) characters makes ascertaining its correct phylogenetic position challenging [1, 2, 4]. The genus was tentatively placed in its own tribe, Lenomyrmecini [5], but its position within the Myrmicinae remains to be determined [5]. Preliminary results of a phylogenetic analysis (Ant-AToL project, http://www.antweb.org/atol.jsp) indicate that Lenomyrmex falls within a clade of predominantly New World ants that includes the tribes Attini, Cephalotini, Dacetini, and the genus Pheidole (T. Schultz and P. Ward, comm. pers.).The worker ofLenomyrmex inusitatus Fernández 2001 is distinguished from other Lenomyrmex workers by smooth and shiny mesosoma with well-developed propodeal spines and by the foveolate-striate sculpture covering all the dorsal surface of its head [2]. L. inusitatus has an unusual distribution since it is the single Lenomyrmexspecies recorded east of the Andes [2]. Nevertheless, it was previously only known from the type locality (“Territorio Kofanes”, Nariño, Colombia). Here, the species is recorded for the first time in the Eastern Cordillera of the South-Ecuadorian Andes.AmongLenomyrmexspecies, the queen caste has been described only for L. mandibularis Fernández and Palacio 1999 and L. wardiFernández and Palacio 1999. In this paper, we provide the first record and a description of the queen ofL. inusitatus.


## 2. Materials and Methods

The sampling ofLenomyrmex in the Ecuadorian Andes is part of a rainfall exclusion experiment [6] and was based on the Winkler extraction method. The leaf litter inside a 0.25 or 0.5-m² quadrat was collected and sifted and its fauna was extracted during 48 h. All specimens were collected close to the Podocarpus National Park, within the “Copalinga” property, at 1420 m (Zamora-Chinchipe province, Ecuador). Vegetation corresponds to an evergreen lower montane forest [7]. Mean annual precipitation is about 2100 mm. Mean temperature in the leaf litter from December 2009 to May 2010 was 18.5°C (min–max: 15.7–22.2°C).A worker (no. 4042619, from sample no. 40426) and a queen (no. 4042602, from the same sample) have been imaged (Figures1 and 2, resp.) and are available at http://projects.biodiversity.be/ants.Worker (specimen number 4042619) ofLenomyrmex inusitatusFernández 2001: in (a) frontal, (b) lateral, and (c) dorsal views. Note the predominantly smooth and shiny mesosoma, with no erect hairs (b, c) and the foveolate head, with median longitudinal striae (a).
(a)(b)(c)Queen (specimen number 4042602) ofLenomyrmex inusitatusFernández 2001: in (a) frontal, (b) lateral, and (c) dorsal views. Note the predominantly smooth and shiny mesosoma, with mesoscutum foveolate-striate and without erect hairs (b, c) and the foveolate head, with median longitudinal striae (a).
(a)(b)(c)Measurements and Indices
All measurements are in millimeters. The abbreviations are as follows:
HL:
Head length, measured in full face view, from the anterior margin of the medial lobe of the clypeus to the posterior border of the head (excluding the mandibles).HW:
Head width, the maximum width of the head measured in full face view, excluding the compound eyes.ML:
Mandible length, the maximum length of the mandible measured in dorsal view, from the anteriormost portion of the head to the apex of closed mandibles.EL:
Eye length, the maximum diameter of the eye in frontal view.SL:
Scape length, excluding the basal condyle and the neck.WL:
Weber’s length, measured diagonally in lateral view from the anterior edge of the pronotum to the posterior edge of the propodeal lobe.PL:
Petiole length, the axial distance from the dorsal corner of the posterior peduncle to the nearest edge of the propodeal lobe.PW:
Petiole width, the maximum transverse distance across the node measured in dorsal view.PPL:
Postpetiole length, the axial distance from the base of the node in front to the tip of the posterior peduncle measured in lateral view.PPW:
Postpetiole width, the maximum transverse distance across the postpetiole in dorsal view.GL:
Gaster length, in lateral view, from the anterior edge of the first tergum to the posterior edge of the last visible tergum.GW:
Gaster width, in dorsal view, the maximum transverse distance across the gaster.TL:
Total length measured in lateral view (ML + HL + WL + PL + PPL + GL).OI:
Ocular index, EL/HW × 100.CI:
Cephalic index, HW/HL × 100.SI:
Scape index, SL/HL × 100.Queens and workers have been deposited at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium, (RBINS), the Laboratorio de Entomología—Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja, Ecuador (UTPL), and the Museo de Insectos, Instituto de Ciencias Naturales—Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Santafé de Bogotá D.C., Colombia (ICN).


## 3. Results  (Tables1 and 2)

Table 1
Key to the workers of the six describedLenomyrmex species.
1. Mesosoma predominantly smooth and shiny, with no erect hairs2–Mesosoma with conspicuous sculpture and at least a pair of erect hairs32(1). Propodeum without spines; head only foveolate (SW Colombia)foveolatus–Propodeum with a pair of acute and well-defined spines; head foveolate, with median longitudinal striae (Cordillera Oriental of the Andes in S Colombia and S Ecuador)inusitatus3(1). Dorsum of head and petiole with longitudinal conspicuous costae; erect hairs of antennal scape as long as or longer than maximum diameter of scape; body ferruginous yellow (W Panama)costatus–Dorsum of head densely rugo-reticulate; sculpture of the petiole variable, rugulate to rugo-reticulate or longitudinally striate but never costate; erect hairs of antennal scape not longer than maximum diameter of the scape; body brownish black or dark red brown44(3). Length of propodeal spines approximately equal to distance between their bases; mesopleuron with some irregular longitudinal striae, but mostly smooth and shiny; metapleuron with irregular longitudinal striae; HL > 0.80 mm; mesosoma with only two suberect hairs on the pronotum (SW Colombia)mandibularis–Length of propodeal spines variable, either shorter or longer than distance between their bases; metapleuron and subsequent portion of mesopleuron with fine transverse rugulae or rugo-reticulate, without smooth areas; HL < 0.80 mm; mesosoma with numerous erect to suberect hairs55(4). Propodeal spines shorter than distance between their bases; eyes with six or seven facets in maximum diameter; petiolar node protruding over the peduncle and well defined; postpetiolar dorsum with longitudinal striae (NW Ecuador, SW Colombia)wardi–Propodeal spines longer than distance between their bases; eyes with about nine facets in maximum diameter; petiolar node undifferentiated from the peduncle; postpetiolar dorsum smooth and polished (Costa Rica)colwelliTable 2
Key for the known queens ofLenomyrmex.
1. Head foveolate, with median longitudinal striae; mesosoma predominantly smooth and shiny, with sparse punctures on pronotum, mesopleuron, metapleuron, and propodeum, scutellum and axillae foveolate, mesoscutum foveolate-striate, no erect hairsinusitatus–Head densely rugo-reticulate; mesosoma covered by sculpture, mesopleuron, scutellum, and propodeal dorsum with striae, axillae rugo-reticulate, mesoscutum rugulose, erect hairs22(1). Propodeal spines approximately equal in length to distance between their bases; integument predominantly shiny; HL > 0.80mandibularis–Propodeal spines notably shorter than distance between their bases; integument predominantly opaque; HL < 0.80wardi


### 3.1. Material Examined

A total of 34 workers and two dealated queens ofLenomyrmex inusitatus were collected. The worker (Figure 1) corresponds to the description of the holotype [2], except that it is slightly smaller.Workers
ECUADOR: Zamora-Chinchipe province: Zamor-a: Bombuscaro: Copalinga property; Lat: −4.083; Long: −78.967; 26.IV-01.V.2010; collected by Delsinne T. and Arias Penna T.; 34 workers in 23 Winkler samples (number of specimens/Winkler sample: 1–4); sample codes: 40343, 40367, 40369, 40374, 40375, 40382, 40387, 40391, 40395, 40417, 40418, 40424, 40426, 40428, 40437, 40439, 40440, 40446, 40449, 40453, 40455, 40457, 40459, 40461; RBINS, UTPL, ICN.Worker Measurements (no. 4042619)
TL 4.23, HL 0.74, HW 0.64, ML 0.41, SL 0.60, EL 0.16, WL 1.15, PL 0.62, PW 0.20, PPL 0.30, PPW 0.24, GL 1.11, GW 0.76, CI 86, OI 24, SI 81.Queens
ECUADOR: Same data as workers; two queens in two Winkler samples; sample codes: 40426 and 40343; RBINS, UTPL.Queen Measurements (no. 4042602)
TL 4.34, HL 0.75, HW 0.65, ML 0.41, SL 0.59, EL 0.20, WL 1.16, PL 0.64, PW 0.21, PPL 0.27, PPW 0.24, GL 1.11, GW 0.78, CI 86, OI 31, SI 79.Queen Diagnosis (Figure2)
The queen is similar to the worker [2] but differing in the following characters: anterior margin of clypeus mostly convex, with a slight median notch or concavity; compound eyes bigger, with 11-12 facets in maximum diameter; three ocelli present; mesosoma robust; dorsum of pronotum smooth and shiny, with sparse punctures; mesoscutum foveolate, with longitudinal striae; scutellum and axillae foveolate, with smooth and shiny interspaces; dorsum of propodeum completely smooth and polished; propodeal spines long and stout but shorter than distance between their bases; mesopleuron with anepisternum clearly separated from katepisternum by a suture; lateral face of pronotum, anepisternum, katepisternum, metapleuron, and lateral face of propodeum mostly smooth and shiny, with some sparse punctures; punctures of lateral and dorsal faces of petiole and postpetiole more defined and deeper than in workers; short and appressed pilosity more abundant on mesosoma than in workers.


## 3.1. Material Examined

A total of 34 workers and two dealated queens ofLenomyrmex inusitatus were collected. The worker (Figure 1) corresponds to the description of the holotype [2], except that it is slightly smaller.Workers
ECUADOR: Zamora-Chinchipe province: Zamor-a: Bombuscaro: Copalinga property; Lat: −4.083; Long: −78.967; 26.IV-01.V.2010; collected by Delsinne T. and Arias Penna T.; 34 workers in 23 Winkler samples (number of specimens/Winkler sample: 1–4); sample codes: 40343, 40367, 40369, 40374, 40375, 40382, 40387, 40391, 40395, 40417, 40418, 40424, 40426, 40428, 40437, 40439, 40440, 40446, 40449, 40453, 40455, 40457, 40459, 40461; RBINS, UTPL, ICN.Worker Measurements (no. 4042619)
TL 4.23, HL 0.74, HW 0.64, ML 0.41, SL 0.60, EL 0.16, WL 1.15, PL 0.62, PW 0.20, PPL 0.30, PPW 0.24, GL 1.11, GW 0.76, CI 86, OI 24, SI 81.Queens
ECUADOR: Same data as workers; two queens in two Winkler samples; sample codes: 40426 and 40343; RBINS, UTPL.Queen Measurements (no. 4042602)
TL 4.34, HL 0.75, HW 0.65, ML 0.41, SL 0.59, EL 0.20, WL 1.16, PL 0.64, PW 0.21, PPL 0.27, PPW 0.24, GL 1.11, GW 0.78, CI 86, OI 31, SI 79.Queen Diagnosis (Figure2)
The queen is similar to the worker [2] but differing in the following characters: anterior margin of clypeus mostly convex, with a slight median notch or concavity; compound eyes bigger, with 11-12 facets in maximum diameter; three ocelli present; mesosoma robust; dorsum of pronotum smooth and shiny, with sparse punctures; mesoscutum foveolate, with longitudinal striae; scutellum and axillae foveolate, with smooth and shiny interspaces; dorsum of propodeum completely smooth and polished; propodeal spines long and stout but shorter than distance between their bases; mesopleuron with anepisternum clearly separated from katepisternum by a suture; lateral face of pronotum, anepisternum, katepisternum, metapleuron, and lateral face of propodeum mostly smooth and shiny, with some sparse punctures; punctures of lateral and dorsal faces of petiole and postpetiole more defined and deeper than in workers; short and appressed pilosity more abundant on mesosoma than in workers.


## 4. Discussion

Lenomyrmex inusitatusis, with L. wardiand L. foveolatus, the third Lenomyrmexspecies collected in Ecuador [1, 8]. To our knowledge, the new record represents only the tenth locality known for the entire genus and constitutes its southernmost limit of distribution. The range of the species and of the genus increases nearly 510 km and 415 km to the South, respectively. Although data remain insufficient to understand the biogeography of Lenomyrmex, it is interesting to note that the new record confirms the presence of L. inusitatus on the Eastern side of the Cordillera Oriental of the Andes.Lenomyrmex species were collected from elevations close to sea level to 1800 m but seem to be mainly restricted to mid-elevations, that is, 1100–1500 m ([1–3], this study). The degree of queen-worker dimorphism is weak, suggesting small colony sizes and absence of claustral independent colony foundation [9]. Lenomyrmex ants seem always locally rare and it is in fact the first time that up to 34 workers have been collected within a relatively small area (400 m²). A thorough inspection of the dead wood laying on the ground and of soil samples failed to uncover any nest of L. inusitatus. This and the fact that both workers and dealate queens were extracted from the leaf litter (Winkler method) may indicate that this species nests and forages in the leaf litter. The unusual morphology of the mandibles suggests that Lenomyrmex is a specialist predator on an unknown prey. This habit is possibly linked to its apparent rarity and restricted elevational distribution. More data are needed to accurately determine the biology and biogeography of these interesting ants.N.B. After submitting the paper, two additional workers were found within a soil sample, at slightly higher elevation (1500 m), within the “Copalinga” property. The two workers were maintained alive during six days. They moved relatively slowly and feigned death when disturbed. They did not feed on any offered food items (alive and dead termites, millipedes, mites, various insect parts, sugar/water, tuna, biscuits). The information for these specimens are ECUADOR: Zamora-Chinchipe province: Zamora: Bombuscaro: Copalinga property; Lat: −4.082; Long: −78.968; 13.IV.2011; collected by Delsinne T. and Arias Penna T.; two workers in one soil sample (= a thorough visual search for ants for twenty person-minutes from a15×15×15-cm core of soil); specimen codes: 4649901 and 4649902; RBINS.



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*Source: 145743-2011-06-22.xml*