Solenopsis shiptoni Wild, 2007, NEW STATUS

Solenopsis shiptoni Santschi 1916. NEW STATUS.

Solenopsis shiptoni Forel 1914b: 276. [syntype w image examined, www.antweb.org (specimens at MHNG); Tucumán, Argentina (Shipton)].

Solenopsis metanotalis shiptoni Forel. Creighton 1930: 127.

Solenopsis shiptoni can be recognized by the following combination of character states: strong transverse striae present on propodeal dorsum; compound eyes comprised of <30 ommatidia; postpetiolar node in dorsal view broader than long; head width> 0.4 mm; body color testaceous to light reddish brown. These ants are uncommonly collected in Paraguay, and all records are from the Chaco. The taxonomy of the complex of species associated with S. metanotalis is poorly understood and I change the status of S. shiptoni to eliminate the trinomen. Most of the material I have seen identified as S. metanotalis has less pronounced mesosomal striation, larger eyes, and a narrower postpetiole than S. shiptoni, but the question of whether this variation is intra- or inter-specific will require more detailed study than is possible in the present study.