Solenopsis globularia (F. Smith)

Type location Brazil (Myrmica globularia, Smith, 1858b: 131; all forms; in Solenopsis Roger, 1863b: 32) - see below
junior synonyms (Pacheco & Mackay, 2013: 164)
littoralis (Solenopsis globularia subsp. littoralis Creighton, 1930b: 113, illustrated, all forms) from USA - no images on Antweb (March 2019) [junior synonym mobilensis (Solenopsis globularia subsp. mobilensis, M R Smith, 1931a: 20, worker) from USA - see https://www.antweb.org/specimen.do?name=casent0913898]
pacifica (Solenopsis globularia subsp. pacifica, Wheeler, 1919c: 273, worker & male; Wheeler, 1924a: 108, queen) from Galapagos Is. - see https://www.antweb.org/specimen.do?code=castype00446
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 - no images on Antweb (March 2019)
cubaensis (Solenopsis globularia (F. Smith) var cubaensis, var. nov., Wheeler, 1913b: 493, worker) from Cuba - no images on Antweb (March 2019)
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.

Pacheco & Mackay (2013: 54) proposed synonymy of all varieties and subspecies as the polytypic S. globularia.

Their separation perhaps can be questioned as they wrote how, The eyes are large, with 12-25 ommatidia. Solenopsis globularia is polymorphic, while S. bucki, S. desecheoensis and S. lucayensis are monomorphic, based on examined material.

Pacheco, J.A. & Mackay, W.P. 2013.The systematics and biology of the New World thief ants of the genus Solenopsis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). The Edwin Mellen Press, Lewiston. 502 pp.

The specimens shown at the bottom of this page were collected in Congo, Brazzaville, by pitfall trapping, by Yves Braet & Eric Zassi, 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 syntype worker collated from http://www.antweb.org/specimen.do?name=casent0902338.

The photomontage is of a type form worker collated from http://www.antweb.org/specimen.do?name=casent0104814.

The photomontage is of a cotype of cubaensis from the MCZ collection. In his description, Wheeler (1913b) had - "Solenopsis globularia (F. Smith) var cubaėnsis, 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".

Solenopsis desecheoensis (Solenopsis globularia F. Smith desecheoensis new variety, Mann, 1920: 428, worker) from Puerto Rico, Desecheo Is., F.J. Lutz - see below.

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".

Pacheco & Mackay (2013: 148) have this as a separate species. "Solenopsis desecheoensis is different from the widely distributed S. globularia in that it is a dark piceous brown with yellow-brown appendages, has a more developed medial c1ypeal tooth and an eye of 22-25 ommatidia. Based on the material examined (only three workers), it appears to be monomorphic, opposed to the polymorphic members of the rest of the globularia species
group. We will be conservative and recognize S. desecheoensis as a valid species".

Key: Eye with approximately 25 ommatidia (Fig. 75); concolorous dark brown; striae present on dorsum of propodeum (Fig. 76); Desecheo Island near Puerto Rico.

Solenopsis lucayensis (Solenopsis globularia subsp. lucayensis, Wheeler, 1908a: 131, illustrated, worker) from Bahamas.

Image collated from https://www.antweb.org/specimenImages.do?name=casent0103219

Pacheco & Mackay (2013: 148) have this as a separate species.
Key: Eye with 12-15 ommatidia (Fig. 159); concolorous pale yellow; striae lacking on dorsum of propodeum (Fig. 160); Bahamas, Andros Island.

Comparing the type images shows no difference between this and the S. globularia type (above).

Oxford University Museum specimens

Solenopsis globularia B Taylor det.	Congo Y Braet t-1-2	19.viii.2007 Brazzaville 4° 15' 33" S 15° 17' 5" E	24h pitfall trap; forest around the GERDIB laboratories; 317 m asl	2
Solenopsis globularia B Taylor det.	Congo Y Braet t-1-10	19.viii.2007 Brazzaville 4° 15' 33" S 15° 17' 5" E	24h pitfall trap; in a domestic garden near the GERDIB laboratories; 317 m asl	4

The photomontage is of a minor worker from Congo, Brazzaville; collectors Yves Braet & Eric Zassi (t 1.2). This and the second worker shown below are a little larger than the Smith paratype (above).

The photomontage is of a minor worker from Congo, Brazzaville; collectors Yves Braet & Eric Zassi (t 1.11).