Solenopsis globularia (F. Smith)

Type location Brazil (Myrmica globularia, Smith, 1858b: 131; all forms; in Solenopsis Roger, 1863b: 32); subspecies desecheoensis (Solenopsis globularia var desecheoensis, Mann, 1920: 428, worker) from Puerto Rico, Desecheo Is., F.J. Lutz; littoralis (Solenopsis (Euophthalma) globularia subsp.desecheoensis, Creighton, 1930b: 113, illustrated, all forms) from USA [junior synonym mobilensis (Solenopsis globularia subsp.mobilensis, M R Smith, 1931a: 20, worker) from USA]; lucayensis (Solenopsis globularia subsp.lucayensis, Wheeler, 1908a: 131, illustrated, worker; unavailable in HNS) from Bahamas; pacifica (Solenopsis globularia subsp.pacifica, Wheeler, 1919c: 273, worker & male, unavailable in HNS; Wheeler, 1924a: 108, queen) from Galapagos Is.; and stenheili (Solenopsis steinheili, Forel, 1881: 11, worker) from Antilles Is. [junior synonyms borinquenensis (Solenopsis globularia var.borinquenensis, Wheeler, 1908a: 131, illustrated, worker; unavailable in HNS) from Puerto Rico and cubaensis (Solenopsis globularia (F. Smith) var cubaensis, var. nov., Wheeler, 1913b: 493, worker) from Cuba]; Bolton, 1995); all forms described (see Bolton, 1995) .

F Smith's (1858b) description is at . Forel's (1881) description of steinheili is at . Wheeler's (1913b) description of cubaensis is at . A comprehensive illustrated review was provided by Creighton (1930b: 108 ff), this, including his description of littoralis is at .

Although Creighton (1930b: 111) appears to distinguish between minor workers, TL 1.7 mm, and major workers, TL 2.0 mm, there does not appear to be any structural difference, such as in S. geminata.

The specimens shown at the bottom of this page were collected in Congo, Brazzaville, by pitfall trapping, by Yves Braet, 2007, and appear to be the first instance of this species anywhere outside the Americas. The dark colour is shared with the subspecies recorded primarily from the Caribbean area. The very distinctive wide postpetiole and other features separate the species from all other described Solenopsis, let alone from any known from Africa.

The photomontage is of a type form specimen from http://www.antweb.org/specimen.do?name=casent0104814&shot=p1&project=null.

The photomontage is of a cotype of cubaensis from the MCZ collection. In his description, Wheeler (1913b) had - "Solenopsis globularia (F. Smith) var cubaënsis, var. nov. - the body being black, with the ventral portions of the head, thorax and pedicel, the clypeus, mandibles and anterior border of the head, the antennae, legs, sutures of the thorax, and apical margins of the gastric segments brownish yellow".

The photomontage is of a cotype of desechoensis from the MCZ collection. In his brief original description, Mann (1920b: 428) had - "Solenopsis globularia F. Smith desecheoensis, new variety. Two workers, collected by Frank E. Lutz, given to me by Prof. Wheeler belong to an undescribed variety of globularia, differing from the typical form and the variety borinquenensis Wheeler in color. The head and body are jet black, with the antennae and legs yellowish brown. Desecheo Island, Porto Rico." The oriiginal images on the MCZ website are very yellow in overall tone and I have applied an artificial correction to achieve what seems to be nearer to the Mann description, noting that Creighton (1930b) gives it as a "deep piceous brown".

The photomontage is of a minor specimen from Congo, Brazzaville, pitfall trapped by Yves Braet & Eric Nzassi, 2007.

Other images can be seen in the folder at .

The photomontage is of a minor specimen from Congo, Brazzaville, pitfall trapped by Yves Braet & Eric Nzassi, 2007.

Other images can be seen in the folder at .