Distribution and diversity of the cryptic ant genus oxyepoecus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae) in Paraguay with descriptions of two new species

Abstract

We discuss the diversity and distribution of the ant genus Oxyepoecus in Paraguay. Oxyepoecus inquilinus is recorded for the first time, and new distribution data are given for O. rastratus and O. vezenyii. Published data for O. bruchi, O. rastratus, O. reticulatus, and O. vezenyii are summarized. Two new species are described (O. bidentatus n. sp. and O. striatus n. sp.), and a key to the workers of the seven Paraguayan Oxyepoecus species is provided. At Teniente Enciso National Park, four species cooccur. This locality appears as a promising site for studies documenting the biology of this poorly known ant genus, and because of the IUCN vulnerable Red List classification of O. inquilinus, the importance of the Teniente Enciso National Park for biological conservation is clearly established. Copyright © 2012 T. Delsinne et al.