Proceratium japonicum

AntWiki: The Ants --- Online
Proceratium japonicum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Proceratiinae
Tribe: Proceratiini
Genus: Proceratium
Species: P. japonicum
Binomial name
Proceratium japonicum
Santschi, 1937

Proceratium japonicum P casent0281854.jpg

Proceratium japonicum D casent0281854.jpg

Specimen Label

Synonyms


Common Name
Yamato-kagibara-ari
Language: Japanese

Proceratium japonicum lives on the ground in evergreen forests (Japanese Ant Image Database).

At a Glance • Larval Hemolymph Feeding  

Identification

Staab et al. (2018) - Proceratium japonicum differs from the other east Asian members of the Proceratium silaceum clade by the following character combination: medium-sized species (WL 0.72–1.00); sides of head convex, broadest above the level of eyes; anterior clypeal margin not protruding and slightly notched; frontal carinae well developed and widely separated, with large lamellae that extend laterally above the antennal insertions and reach posteriorly almost to the level of eyes; frontal furrow strongly developed; petiole squamiform, in profile not or only weakly narrowing dorsally, the base as or almost as broad as the apex, in dorsal view relatively narrow (DPeI <150); subpetiolar process developed, subtriangular, directing backwards; sculpture not deeply impressed, on abdominal segment III granulate and relatively regular; in addition to dense pubescence, some suberect to erect hairs present on scapes and dorsal surface of body.

According to Baroni Urbani and de Andrade (2003) Proceratium japonicum is most similar to Proceratium numidicum which is, however, a geographically widely separated species occurring in the eastern Mediterranean and northern Africa. We were not able to examine Proceratium japonicum material from China. In Japan, specimens from the Ryukyu and Yaeyama islands are smaller than from the main islands (Onoyama and Yoshimura 2002, Baroni Urbani and de Andrade 2003), explaining the relatively large variation in body size.

From Proceratium longigaster, the only other Proceratium silaceum clade species in China and east Asia, Proceratium japonicum can be separated by the shape of the petiole in profile that not or only weakly narrows dorsally (clearly narrowing dorsally, broader on the base than on the apex in Proceratium longigaster). Also, the petiole in dorsal view is narrower in Proceratium japonicum (DPeI <150) than in Proceratium longigaster (DPeI ≥155). Furthermore, the frontal carinae in Proceratium japonicum reach posteriorly almost to the level of eyes (shorter and ending well below the level of eyes in Proceratium longigaster). Proceratium japonicum has only relatively few suberect to erect hairs that protrude from the dense pubescence on the dorsal body; those hairs are straight (never shaggy) and do not conspicuously project from LT3 over the constriction between LT3 and LT4 (many shaggy hairs projecting in Proceratium longigaster); if single longer hairs are present, then they are not shaggy.

Volumetric raw data (in DICOM format), a 3D rotation video (in .mp4 format, see Suppl. material 8: Video 6), still images of surface volume rendering, a 3D surface (in PLY format), and montage photos illustrating the head, profile and dorsal views of the body of a non-type specimen (CASENT0790834) were all generated as part of this study (Staab et al 2018). Data and images are freely available for download from a Dryad repository (there is a download link at the top right of the webpage) and a 3D surface model can be viewed online at Sketchfab.

Keys including this Species

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: 34.66666794° to 22.0587111°.

   
North
Temperate
North
Subtropical
Tropical South
Subtropical
South
Temperate

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Oriental Region: Taiwan.
Palaearctic Region: China, Japan (type locality).

Distribution based on AntMaps

AntMapLegend.png

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.
pChart

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.
pChart

Biology

Staab et al. (2018) - This species is common from Japan (except Hokkaido) to Taiwan and usually collected in forests of relatively low elevation. It has also been reported from Yunnan Province in China. Thus, it is not unlikely that more records from the southern and eastern Chinese mainland will appear in the future if sampling effort is increased. No direct biological observations from China are available. In Japan, nests are typically found in deadwood in evergreen broadleaved forest (Onoyama and Yoshimura 2002). Colony size can reach over 150 workers and larval haemolymph feeding has been observed (Masuko 1986).

Castes

Worker

ProceratiumEconomo-header (arilab.unit.oist.jp).png  X-ray micro-CT scan 3D model of Proceratium japonicum (worker) prepared by the Economo lab at OIST.

See on Sketchfab. See list of 3D images.

Staab et al. 2018. Figure 19. Still images from surface display volume renderings of 3D model of Proceratium japonicum nontype worker (CASENT0790834). A Body in profile B Body in dorsal view C Head in dorsal view D Head in anterodorsal view E Head in anterior view F Head in ventral view G Head in profile H Mesosoma in profile I Mesosoma in dorsal view J Propodeum in posterodorsal view K Abdominal segment II and parts of III in profile L Abdominal segment II and parts of III in dorsal view M Abdominal segments II–VII in profile N Abdominal segment III and parts of II and IV in dorsal view O Abdominal segments II–VII in ventral view.
Proceratium japonicum (as Proceratium formosicola) head (www.niaes.affrc.go.jp).jpgProceratium japonicum (as Proceratium formosicola) side (www.niaes.affrc.go.jp).jpgProceratium japonicum (as Proceratium formosicola) top (www.niaes.affrc.go.jp).jpgProceratium japonicum (as Proceratium formosicola) side-head (www.niaes.affrc.go.jp).jpgProceratium japonicum (as Proceratium formosicola) sting (www.niaes.affrc.go.jp).jpgProceratium japonicum (as Proceratium formosicola) labels (www.niaes.affrc.go.jp).jpg
.

Nomenclature

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

  • japonicum. Proceratium japonicum Santschi, 1937h: 362, fig. 1 (w.) JAPAN.
    • Type-material: 4 syntype workers.
    • Type-locality: Japan: Oshima, Iya, Hunshiu (= Honshu), 10.vii.1928, (692) (Kisato (= K. Sato?)).
    • Type-depositories: MHNG, NHMB.
    • Onoyama & Yoshimura, 2002: 38 (q.m.).
    • Status as species: Chapman & Capco, 1951: 77; Brown, 1958g: 247; Onoyama, 1980: 196; Morisita, et al. 1989: 15; Onoyama, 1991: 695; Bolton, 1995b: 366; Xu, 2000c: 435 (in key); Onoyama & Yoshimura, 2002: 38 (redescription); Imai, et al. 2003: 218; Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2003b: 368 (redescription); Lin & Wu, 2003: 67; Xu, 2006: 153 (in key); Terayama, 2009: 97; Zhou & Ran, 2010: 111; Staab, et al. 2018: 169 (redescription).
    • Senior synonym of formosicola: Onoyama, 1991: 695; Bolton, 1995b: 366; Onoyama & Yoshimura, 2002: 38; Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2003b: 368; Imai, et al. 2003: 218; Terayama, 2009: 97; Zhou & Ran, 2010: 111 (footnote); Guénard & Dunn, 2012: 62; Staab, et al. 2018: 169.
    • Distribution: China, Japan, Taiwan.
  • formosicola. Proceratium formosicola Terayama, 1985c: 406, figs. 1-4 (w.q.) TAIWAN.
    • Type-material: holotype worker, 3 paratype workers, 1 paratype queen.
    • Type-locality: holotype Taiwan: Nantou Hsien, Lushan (ca 1000 m.), 15.viii.1980 (M. Terayama); paratypes: 2 workers, 1 queen with same data, 1 worker Taiwan: Nantou Hsien, Puli (ca 600 m.), 4.viii.1981 (M. Terayama).
    • Type-depositories: NIAS (holotype); MTPC, TARI (paratypes).
    • Junior synonym of japonicum: Onoyama, 1991: 695; Bolton, 1995b: 366; Onoyama & Yoshimura, 2002: 38; Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2003b: 368; Imai, et al. 2003: 218; Terayama, 2009: 97; Zhou & Ran, 2010: 111 (footnote); Staab, et al. 2018: 169.

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

Description

Worker

Baroni Urbani and de Andrade (2003) - Head slightly longer than broad and with weakly convex sides. Vertex in full face view gently convex. Clypeus reduced, slightly surpassing the antennal sockets. Anterior border of the clypeus truncate. Frontal carinae far from each other, slightly covering the antennal insertions. Lateral expansions of the frontal carinae little raised, diverging on the two anterior fourths, converging on the third fourth, subparallel and carinate only on the last fourth. Frontal area gently concave on the three anterior fourths and with a central longitudinal carina starting from the last fourth and prolonging posteriorly. Head anterolaterally with a thick, short, longitudinal carina. Genal carinae distinct, each carina corresponding to the external border of a deep sulcus. Eyes visible as a dark dot below the integument, small and on the middle o l the head sides. First funicular joint slightly longer than broad. Funicular joints 2-10 broader than long. Last funicular joint as long as the sum of joints 7-10. Scapes short of the vertexal margin and gently thickening apically. Masticatory margin of the mandibles with 9-11 denticles before the pointed apical tooth. Palp formula 2,2.

Mesosoma in profile convex anteriorly, declivous posteriorly and shorter than the maximum head length (mandibles included). Pronotal and propodeal sutures absent. Basal face of the propodeum declivous posteriorly. Declivous face of the propodeum flat. Area between basal and declivous faces of the propodeum gently concave, less carinate dorsally than in numidicum and laterally angulate or denticulate. Sides of the declivous face of the propodeum carinate. Propodeal spiracle round and above mid height in lateral view.

Petiole subrectangular, broader than in numidicum. Anterior border of the petiole straight and anterolaterally carinate. Posterior broader of the petiolar node gently convex or subangulate. Ventral process of the petiole lamelliform and directed backwards. Postpetiolar sternite anteromedially with a marked subtriangular projection, gently convex posteriorly in side view. Constriction between postpetiole and gaster impressed. Gastral tergite I about 1/3 longer than the postpetiole and convex on the curvature. Remaining gastral tergites and sternites curved ventrally.

Legs not very short. All tibiae with a pectinate spur. Spurs of fore legs without basal spine. Fore basitarsi longer than the mid ones. Hind basitarsi about 1/4 shorter than hind tibiae. Second tarsomere of hind legs shorter than pretarsus. Pretarsal claws simple. Arolia absent.

Sculpture. Head reticulate-punctate and rugulose, the reticulation and the rugosities broader on the sides. Mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole punctate, the punctures smaller on the anterior half of the mesosoma. Posterior half of the mesosoma and sides of the postpetiole with additional, irregular reticulation. Gaster smooth and with minutely piligerous punctures, the punctures denser and mixed with superficial reticulation on the sides. Legs punctate.

Body covered by hairs of three main types: (1) short, dense, suberect or subdecumbent on the whole body, sparse on the funicular joints; (2) longer than type (1), erect on the whole body, absent on the funiculi; (3) shorter than hair type (1), dense and decumbent on the funicular joints only. In addition the funicular joints bear whitish, thick, appressed, sparse hairs, and the scapes with sparse hairs similar to type (2) but slightly shorter.

Colour. Yellow to brown with slightly lighter antennae and legs. Some specimens have the posterior half of the head dorsum darker.

Measurements in mm and Indices: TL 2.84-3.32; HL 0.63-0.75; HW 0.59-0.71; EL 0.03-0.07; SL 0.42-0.49; WL 0.78-0.91; PeL 0.19-0.24; PeW 0.30-0.35; HFeL 0.47-0.56; HTiL 0.38-0.46; HBaL 0.29-0.34; LS4 0.33-0.41; LT4 0.65-0.75; CI 93.6-94.7; SI 64.6-66.6; IGR 0.51-0.55.

Queen

Baroni Urbani and de Andrade (2003) - Differing from the worker in the following details: eyes large, ¼ of the head length, composed by many facets and with ocular pilosity. Ocelli well developed.

Mesosoma robust and convex in side view. Parapsidal furrows masked. Scutellum with the sides gently converging posteriorly and with the posterior border round. Dorsum of the scutellum with a longitudinal carina prolonging to the posterior half of the mesonotum. Metanotum with a pointed tooth. Basal face of the propodeum medially concave. Area between basal and declivous faces of the propodeum carinate and with a small tooth on each side.

Fore wings of our type 4, hind wings of our type 2 and 3 as defined in the description of the genus.

Measurements in mm and Indices: TL 3.48-3.75; HL 0.69-0.73; HW 0.67-0.72; EL 0.19-0.24; SL 0.47-0.49; WL 0.98-1.10; PeL 0.24-0.26; PeW 0.38-0.40; HFeL 0.58-0.60; HTiL 0.47-0.48; HBaL 0.38-0.39; LS4 0.46; LT4 0.84-0.86; CI 97.1-98.6; SI 67.1-68.1; IGR 0.53-0.55.

Male

Baroni Urbani and de Andrade (2003) - Head as broad as long or slightly broader than long. Vertex in full face view convex. Vertexal margin carinate. Clypeus dorsally variably convex and with subround or straight anterior border. Frontal carinae thin, low and parallel. Frontal area concave; postero-lateral borders of the concavity variably marginate, the margins converging posteriorly and connected to a longitudinal carina. Ocelli large. Compound eyes large and situated mostly on the anterior part of the head sides. Scapes not reaching the anterior ocellus. First funicular joint about as broad as long and 1/3 shorter than the second joint. Joints 2-12 longer than broad. Last funicular joint slightly longer than the sum of joints 10-11. Mandibles edentate and only with a pointed apical tooth. Palp formula 5,2.

Mesosoma robust. Pronotum and anterior third of mesonotum almost perpendicular to the posterior two thirds of the mesonotum. Posterior two thirds of mesonotum almost flat. Parapsidal furrows marked. Scutellum as high as the mesonotum; sides of the scutellum converging into a round posterior border. Basal and declivous propodeal faces slightly convex in side view. Basal face of the propodeum slightly declivous posteriorly. Declivous face of the propodeum flat. Area between basal and declivous faces of the propodeum gently concave and laterally subangulate. Declivous face of propodeum laterally superficially carinate. Metalloturn with a median lamellaceous tooth. Propodeal lobes round and lamellaceous. Propodeal spiracles small.

Petiole in side view sloping anteriorly in the two anterior fourths, subconvex in the third fourth and sloping in the posterior fourth. Sides of the petiole in dorsal view weakly convex. Anterior border of the petiole straight and laterally carinate. Subpetiolar process very small and subtriangular. Postpetiole anteriorly broader than the petiole; postpetiolar sides diverging posteriorly. Anterior border of the postpetiolar sternite with a superficial triangular "lip". Gastral tergite I in side view convex. Gastral sternite I large. Remaining gastral tergites and sternites slightly curved ventrally.

Legs as in the worker but more elongate. Hind basitarsi slightly shorter than hind tibiae.

Fore wings of our type 4, hind wings of our type 2 and 3 as defined in the description of the genus.

Sculpture. Head and mesosoma punctate, reticulorugose, the reticulation large on the mesonotum and larger than on mesonotum on the basal face of the propodeum and metapleurae. Petiole, postpetiole, gaster and legs smooth and with minute piligerous punctures slightly denser on the postpetiole. Body covered by hairs of three main types: (1) short, dense, suberect or subdecumbent, suberect, sparse and slightly shorter on the funicular joints; (2) longer than type (1), erect or subdecumbent, slightly longer on the gaster, absent on the antennae; (3) shorter than hair type (1), dense and decumbent on the funicular joints. In addition the funicular joints bear whitish, thick, appressed, sparse hairs, and the scapes with sparse hairs similar to type (2) but slightly shorter.

Colour. Dark brown-black with lighter mandibles, antennae and legs.

Measurements in mm and Indices: TL 2.52-3.19; HL 0.48-0.58; HW 0.50-0.58; EL 0.26-0.28; SL 0.23-0.28; WL 0.84-1.08; PeL 0.19-0.21; PeW 0.21-0.25; HFeL 0.48-0.62; HTiL 0.38-0.48; HBaL 0.32-0.46; LS4 0.32-0.44; LT4 0.58-0.72; CI 100.0- 104.2; SI 47.9-49.1; IGR 0.55-0.59.

Type Material

Baroni Urbani and de Andrade (2003) - Type locality: Honshu, Japan. Type material: 3 syntype workers labelled: "Japon, Oshima, Iya, Honshiu, 10.VI.28, Kisato, Proceratium japonicum Sant., Dr. Santschi F. 1937", in Naturhistorisches Museum, Basel, examined.

Proceratium formosicola Type locality: Taiwan. Type material: 1 paratype worker labelled: 15.VIII.1980, Lushan (ca. 1000 m Alt.), Nantou Hsien, Taiwan, M. Terayama leg., Paratype, Proceratium formosicola, Terayama, 1985, in Maromu Terayama Collection, examined.

References

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

  • Abe T. 1977. A preliminary study on the ant fauna of the Tokara Islands and Amami-Oshima. Ecol. Stud. Nat. Cons. Ryukyu Isl. 3: 93-102.
  • Azuma, S. and M. Kinjo. 1987. Family Formicidae, In Checklist of the insects of Okinawa. The Biological Society of Okinawa, Nishihara. Pages 310-312.
  • Baroni Urbani C., and M.L de Andrade. 2003. The ant genus Proceratium in the extant and fossil record (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali, Monografie 36: 1-480.
  • CSIRO Collection
  • Choi B.M., K. Ogata, and M. Terayama. 1993. Comparative studies of ant faunas of Korea and Japan. 1. Faunal comparison among islands of Southern Korean and northern Kyushu, Japan. Bull. Biogeogr. Soc. Japan 48(1): 37-49.
  • Eto S., and K. Ogata. 1983. Ants of Hirado Island, Kyushu. Bulletin of the Nagasaki Prefecture Biological Group 25: 7-11.
  • Guénard B., and R. R. Dunn. 2012. A checklist of the ants of China. Zootaxa 3558: 1-77.
  • Harada Y., M. Enomoto, N. Nishimata, and K. Nishimuta. 2014. Ants of the Tokara Islands, northern Ryukyus, Japan. Nature of Kagoshima 40: 111–121.
  • Hosoichi S., M. Yoshimura, Y. Kuboki, and K. Ogata. 2007. Ants from Yakushima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture. Ari 30: 47-54.
  • Hosoishi S., M. Yoshimura, Y. Kuboki, and K. Ogata. 2007. Ants from Yakushima Island , Kagoshima Prefecture. Ari 30: 47-54.
  • Li Z.h. 2006. List of Chinese Insects. Volume 4. Sun Yat-sen University Press
  • Minato M., and F. Ito. 1997. A supplementary note on ant fauna in Kagawa Pref. Ari 21: 8.
  • Onoyama K. 1976. A premilinary study on the ant fauna of Okinawa-ken, with taxonomic notes (Japan; Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Ecol. Stud. Nat. Cons. Ryukyu Isl. II: 121-141.
  • Onoyama K., and M. Yoshimura. 2002. The ants of the genus Proceratium (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Japan. Entomological Science 5(1): 29-49.
  • Onoyama, K. 1991. A new synonym of the ant Proceratium japonicum (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Jpn. . Entomol. 59: 695-696
  • Terayama M. 1985. Descriptions of a new species of the genus Proceratium Roger from Taiwan (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Kontyû 53: 406-408.
  • Terayama M. 1992. Structure of ant communities in East Asia. A. Regional differences and species richness. Bulletin of the Bio-geographical Society of Japan 47: 1-31.
  • Terayama M. 1992. Structure of ant communities in east Asia. 1. Regional differences and species richness. Bull. Biogeogr. Soc. Japan 47(1): 1-31.
  • Terayama M. 2001. Ants of the Institute for Nature study in Minato-ku, Tokyo: species composition, relative nest abundance, and nest density. Rept. Inst. Nat. Stu. 33: 289-300.
  • Terayama M. 2009. A synopsis of the family Formicidae of Taiwan (Insecta: Hymenoptera). Research Bulletin of Kanto Gakuen University. Liberal Arts 17:81-266.
  • Terayama M., K. Ogata, and B.M. Choi. 1994. Distribution records of ants in 47 prefectures of Japan. Ari (report of the Myrmecologists Society of Japan) 18: 5-17.
  • Terayama M., S. Kubota, and K. Eguchi. 2014. Encyclopedia of Japanese ants. Asakura Shoten: Tokyo, 278 pp.
  • Terayama M., and K. Murata. 1990. Effects of area and fragmentation of forests for nature conservation: Analysis by ant communities. Bull. Biogeogr. Soc. Japan 45(2): 11-17.
  • Terayama M., and S. Kubota. 2002. Ants of Tokyo, Japan. ARI 26: 1-32.
  • Terayama, M. 2009. A synopsis of the family Formicidae of Taiwan (Insecta; Hymenoptera). The Research Bulletin of Kanto Gakuen University 17: 81-266.
  • Terayama. M. and Inoue. N. 1988. Ants collected by the members of the Soil Zoological Expedition to Taiwan. ARI Reports of the Myrmecologists Society (Japan) 18: 25-28
  • Teruyama. M. 1994. Ant fauna of Saitama Prefecture, Japan (Supplement). ARI Reports of the Myrmecologists Society (Japan) 18: 30
  • Xu Z. H. 2000. A systematic study of the ant genus Proceratium Roger from China (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Acta Zootaxonomica Sinica 25(4): 434-437.
  • Xu Z., Zeng G., Liu T.-Y. and He Y.-F. 1999. [A study on communities of Formicidae ants in different subtypes of vegetation in Xishuangbanna District of China.] Zoological Research 20: 118-125
  • Xu Z. 2000. A systematic study of the ant genus Proceratium Roger from China (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Acta Zootaxonomica Sinica 25(4): 434-437.
  • Yamane S. 2016. How many species of Ants in Amami Islands? (in Japanese). Part 2, chapter 1 in How many species of Ants in Amami Islands? Pp. 92-132.
  • Yamane S., S. Ikudome, and M. Terayama. 1999. Identification guide to the Aculeata of the Nansei Islands, Japan. Sapporo: Hokkaido University Press, xii + 831 pp. pp, 138-317.
  • Yamane S., Y. Harada, and K. Eguchi. 2013. Classification and ecology of ants. Natural history of ants in Southern Kyushu. 200 pages
  • Yamane S.; Ikudome, S.; Terayama, M. 1999. Identification guide to the Aculeata of the Nansei Islands, Japan. Sapporo: Hokkaido University Press, xii + 831 pp. pp138-317.
  • Yamane, S.; Iwai, T.; Watanabe, H.; Yamanouchi, Y. 1994. Ant fauna of the Tokara Islands, northern Ryukyus, Japan (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). WWF (Worldwide Fund for Nature) Japan Science Report 2(2):311-327.