Ponera indica

Ponera indica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Formicidae
Subfamily:	Ponerinae
Tribe:	Ponerini
Genus:	Ponera
Species:	P. indica
Binomial name
	Ponera indica; Bharti & Wachkoo, 2012

The three collections of this species were obtained from a winkler sample, a soil core sample and a hand sample.

Identification

Ponera indica somewhat resembles to the Phillipine Ponera oreas but can be easily distinguished from the latter. In Ponera indica 3 apical mandibular teeth occupy 3/5th of masticatory border and no posterior denticles are delimitated; head blackish; fenestra oval; posteroventral teeth emerge at closing end of subpetiolar process and are directed backward whereas in P. oreas 3 apical mandibular teeth occupy 1/2 of masticatory border followed by an irregular series of 7–8 denticles; colour medium dark brown all over; fenestra round; postero-ventral teeth emerge in the middle of subpetiolar process and are directed downward. This new species differs also morphometrically from P. oreas being relatively small with dimensions: HL 430–460; HW 410–430; PW: 210–240; PH: 270–300; SL: 280–330 while the dimensions of P. oreas are: HL 500–540; HW 470–510; PW: 290–330; PH: 350–370; SL: 380–410. (Bharti & Wachkoo 2012)

Bharti and Rilta (2015) - P. indica material collected from Sikkim (north-eastern Himalaya) possibly represents a divergent population, as the species was originally described from north-western part of Himalaya. At present, the morphological differences outlined do not substantiate its status as a distinct species. The intraspecific variation includes: head rectangular in shape, occipital margin concave; mandibles each with three well-developed teeth followed by small denticles; fenestra in subpetiolar process circular; standing pilosity sparse; eyes composed of 1-2 indistinct facets; apex of scape does not reach the midpoint of posterior cephalic margin, CI 86.67–90.69; LPI 59.25–75; DPI 104.76–160. However, in the population representing type material of P. indica, the head is more oval in shape, the occipital margin straight; and the mandibles each with three well-developed teeth and without small denticles; the subpetiolar fenestra is oval in shape, and pilosity is abundant, eyes composed of 3-4 indistinct facets; apex of scape reaches the posterior cephalic margin, CI 91.3–97.8; LPI 34.5–40; DPI 200–266.7.

Keys including this Species

Key to Ponera of India

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: 32.0744° to 31.7047°.


North Temperate	North Subtropical	Tropical	South Subtropical	South Temperate

Source: AntMaps

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Oriental Region: India (type locality).

Distribution based on AntMaps

Distribution based on AntWeb specimens

Check data from AntWeb

Countries Occupied

Number of countries occupied by this species based on AntWiki Regional Taxon Lists. In general, fewer countries occupied indicates a narrower range, while more countries indicates a more widespread species.

Estimated Abundance

Relative abundance based on number of AntMaps records per species (this species within the purple bar). Fewer records (to the left) indicates a less abundant/encountered species while more records (to the right) indicates more abundant/encountered species.

Biology

Explore Overview of Ponera biology

The general biology of species in the genus was summarized by Taylor (1967): Ponera are small ants that nest in rotting logs in forested areas or under stones in nonforested situations. In the tropical areas specimens are rarely encountered away from rain forest. In temperate areas, however, species may occur in relatively lightly forested areas. This appears to be the case with Ponera japonica, Ponera pennsylvanica and especially with Ponera coarctata. The Australian Ponera leae is essentially limited to rain forest in the northern parts of its range, but further south it may be found in dry, lightly forested areas.

Foraging is probably cryptobiotic, though some New Guinea species have been taken straying on the ground surface. Little information is available concerning feeding. However, most species are probably insectivorous. I have conducted feeding experiments with some of the New Guinea and Samoan species, including Ponera xenagos, Ponera elegantula, Ponera tenuis, Ponera incerta and Ponera woodwardi. These were unsuccessful with the larger species, except elegantula, which accepted moderately large (8-12 mm) campodeid and japygid Diplura. Tenuis and incerta accepted smaller (4-6 mm) campodeids, isotomid and sminthurid Collembola, and small newly hatched spiders (2 mm long). Negative feeding response was obtained with eggs and larvae of various ants, small crushed insects of various orders, and small myriapods. Stray workers were never observed carrying prey, and distinct middens of insect or other remains were not located near nests.

Colonies usually contain about 30 workers. Larvae and pupae are not segregated in most cases, but occasionally aggregations of pupae were observed. These may have included the total brood of the colonies involved. Larvae are attached to the floor or walls of the nest galleries by the glutinous abdominal tubercles described above, and the ants move them high up on the walls or ceilings of artificial nests, if they are flooded. Details of nuptial behavior of pennsylvanica were given by Wheeler (1900), and Haskins & Enzmann (1938). The flights appear to be of a pattern typical for ants, with the alates meeting in the air and mating there or on the ground. Colony foundation is non-claustral and independent in pennsylvanica (Kannowski 1959); judging from my observations this is typical for the genus. ‎

Castes

Nomenclature

The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.

indica. Ponera indica Bharti & Wachkoo, 2012: 218, figs. 1-6 (w.q.) INDIA.

Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description.

Description

Worker

Morphometric data of the holotype: HL 440; HW 410; HS 425; SL 330; PrW 290; WL 590; PL 100; PW 230; PH 290. Indices: CI 0.932; SI 0.805; PNI 0.793; LPI 0.345; DPI 2.300.

Head: Head slightly longer than broad, sides convex, frontovertextal margin concave. Mandible with 3 developed teeth occupying approximately apical 3/5th of masticatory margin, remainder without any fairly discernible denticle. One of the paratypes possesses only a single blunt tooth at the middle of the masticatory margin. Eyes small, composed of 3–4 indistinct facets. Median portion of anterior clypeal margin shallowly convex. Apex of scape, when laid straight back from its insertion in full-face view just touches the midpoint of the posterior margin; funiculus incrassate towards apex; antennal club not differentiated.

Mesosoma and petiole: In lateral view mesosoma with dorsal margin gently convex; in dorsal view pro-mesonotal suture distinct with concentric horizontal striations; meso-metanotal suture feeble. Propodeal dorsum, diverging basally; in lateral view sloping gently behind, passes into an oblique declivity. Seen from above petiole twice broad as long; its anterior margin convex while posterior margin is concave. Subpetiolar process cuneiform; fenestra oval; posteroventral teeth of subpetiolar process acute and divergent.

Gaster: base of cinctus of second gastral tergite with cross ribs; sting exerted.

Sculpture: Cephalic dorsum opaque and sharply reticulate punctate, mesosoma and most of gaster with same, but slighter sculpture. Petiole dorsum superficially sculptured; propodeal declivity, posterior face of petiole and apical gastral tergites smooth and shining. Mandible shining with scattered punctures.

Pilosity: Moderate; reclinate, suberect.

Colour: Head blackish; rest of the body medium reddish brown. Mandible, antenna, legs and apical gastral tergites yellow.

Queen

Morphometric data: HL 440; HW 400; HS 420; PrW 310; WL 590; PL 130; PW 240; PH 300; SL 300. Indices: CI 0.909; SI 0.75; PNI 0.774; LPI 0.433; DPI 1.846; OI 0.23 (n = 1).

As in worker, with modifications expected for caste and the following differences: overall sculpture and colour lighter; frontovertextal margin shallowly concave and antenna more slender than in workers. Mandible with 6 teeth. Posteroventral teeth of subpetiolar process reduced and parallel.

Distribution and habitat – This species seems to be widespread in Shivalik range of Northwest Himalaya although infrequent in collections. In non-forested habitats the species was found under small stones and soil core samples; although in forested habitat this species was found in leaf litter samples.

Type Material

Holotype worker. – India, Himachal Pradesh, Terrace, 31.9234°N 75.9294°E, 430 m, 12 October, 2008, Winkler. Paratypes: 5 workers, same data; 1 worker and 1 gyne, India, Himachal Pradesh, Andretta, 32.0744°N 76.5856°E, 940 m, 11 June, 2010, hand picking; 5 workers, India, Himachal Pradesh, Mandi, 31.7080°N 76.9318°E?, 800 m, 27 June, 2010, soil core (coll. Aijaz A. Wachkoo).

Holotype and paratypes of both the species have been deposited in PUPAC, Punjabi University Patiala Ant Collection, Patiala. One paratype of both species will be deposited in BMNH, Natural History Museum, London, U.K. and California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, United States of America.

Etymology

The species epithet is Latin for India.

References

Aswaj, P., Sahanashree, R., Udayakantha, W.S., Aniruddha, M., Priyadarsanan, D.R. 2021. Two new species of doryline ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) with 11-segmented antennae from India. ZooKeys 1056, 59–72 (doi:10.3897/zookeys.1056.68722).
Bharti, H. & Wachkoo, A.A. 2012. First verified record of genus Ponera (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from India, with description of two new species. Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae, 58, 217–224.
Bharti, H., Rilta, J.S. 2015. Taxonomic studies on the ant genus Ponera Latreille, 1804 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), with the description of a new species from India. ZooKeys 526: 9–18 (doi: 10.3897/zookeys.526.5971).
Imai, H.T., Kihara, A., Kondoh, M., Kubota, M., Kuribayashi, S., Ogata, K., Onoyama, K., Taylor, R.W., Terayama, M., Yoshimura, M., Ugawa, Y. 2003. Ants of Japan. 224 pp, Gakken, Japan.
Taylor, R. W. (1967). A monographic revision of the ant genus Ponera Latreille (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Pacific Insects Monograph, 13: 1–112. PDF
Salata, S., Borowiec, L., Trichas, A. 2020. Review of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Crete, with keys to species determination and zoogeographical remarks. Monographs of the Upper Silesian Museum No 12: 5–296 (doi:10.5281/ZENODO.3738001).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

Bharti B., and A. A. Wachkoo. 2012. First verified record of genus Ponera (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from India, with description of two new species. Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 58 (3): 217-224.
Dad J. M., S. A. Akbar, H. Bharti, and A. A. Wachkoo. 2019. Community structure and ant species diversity across select sites ofWestern Ghats, India. Acta Ecologica Sinica 39: 219–228.