Eurhopalothrix pilulifera Brown & Kempf 1960

This is a very rare species, known from 6 specimens from 6 widely-spaced localities, plus a questionable record from southern Brazil. Collections have been in dry forest or second-growth wet forest habitats. Longino (2013) knew the species from 5 workers, all from Berlese or Winkler samples of forest floor litter and rotten wood. At that time the northernmost record was the holotype from Tabasco state, Mexico. Soon after publication, Brendon Boudinot identified a E. pilulifera queen from near Brownsville, Texas!

USA (southern Texas) to Costa Rica. Uncertain: Brazil (Rio de Janeiro).

A distinctive feature that is unique to E. pilulifera, at least among New World species, is an absence of differentiated setae projecting from the anterior margin of the scape. The dorsal surface of the scape is uniformly covered with scale-like, fully appressed setae. These setae also line the anterior edge but do not project on stalks or differ in any other way from those on the dorsal surface. Other species of Eurhopalothrix generally have projecting setae on the anterior margin. Eurhopalothrix pilulifera is most similar to E. alopeciosa and E. clypeata, sharing the small size; a similar arrangement and number of erect setae, these almost circular, nearly as broad as wide; and abundant ground pilosity that is strongly flattened and conspicuous. It has a simple clypeus, without an arcuate transverse carina (present in E. clypeata). The propodeal spine is in the form of a rectangular lamella extending down the posterior face of the propodeum (propodeal spine acute in E. alopeciosa, with narrow infradental lamella). Eurhopalothrix pilulifera may also be confused with E. xibalba, which is larger and has thinner ground pilosity.

Eurhopalothrix pilulifera Brown & Kempf, 1960 PDF: 208, fig. 38 (w.q.) MEXICO. Neotropic. AntCat AntWiki HOL

Taxonomic history

See also: Longino, 2013a PDF: 135.

Eurhopalothrix pilulifera é uma espécie de formiga do gênero Eurhopalothrix, pertencente à subfamília Myrmicinae.