Linguamyrmex Barden & Grimaldi 2017, new genus

Genus Linguamyrmex Barden & Grimaldi, new genus

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:9F04FAEE-59DA- 4B3C-AB8B-EE0D234CC118

Figs 1–5, 7, Video S1.

Diagnosis, worker. As in other haidomyrmecines (Haidomyrmex, Haidoterminus, Haidomyrmodes, Ceratomyrmex), head hypognathous-like with mandibles projecting primarily downward; mandible scythe-like, with flattened basal margin leading to a curved apical tooth that is expanded perpendicular to axial plane of head. Cephalic clypeal ‘horn’ present but abbreviated, differs from Ceratomyrmex by horn stalk of Linguamyrmex being glabrous, that of Ceratomyrmex with fine, stiff setae of various lengths; clypeal horn much shorter in Linguamyrmex, less than head length/depth, stalk short, with the expanded, flat, paddle-shaped setose pad comprising>50% total horn length; clypeal pad slightly trough-shaped ventrally, covered with very short, dense velcro-like vestiture; trigger hairs originate not at base of stalk as in Ceratomyrmex but near basal margin of setose pad; ocelli present. In addition, Linguamyrmex with first and second gastral segments with deep constriction between them (a gastral constriction is figured in description of Haidomyrmodes mammuthus but is less developed).

Type species. L. vladi sp.n.

Etymology. From Latin ‘lingua’, meaning tongue – in reference to the tongue-like clypeal projection – and the Greek ‘myrmex’, meaning ant.