Ponera takaminei

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Terayama (1996) - Easily separated from the other congeners in having the characteristic shape of petiolar node.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Japan, Republic of Korea.

Nomenclature

 *  takaminei. Ponera takaminei Terayama, 1996: 11, figs. 7-9 (w.) JAPAN.

Worker
Holotype. Worker. HL 0.76mm; HW 0.65mm; SL 0.51 mm; CI 85; SI 79; WL 1.03 mm; PW 0.49 mm; PH 0.50 mm; PNL 0.30 mm; DPW 0.43 mm; PNI 88; TL 3.0 mm.

Head 1.17 x as long as wide, with gently convex sides and concave posterior margin in frontal view. Mandibles with 3 acute teeth occupying apical 1/3 of masticatory margin; remainder with very minute indistinct denticles. Clypeus with a distinct blunt median tooth. Eyes small, ca. 0.04 mm in diameter, each consisting of 4 or 5 indistinct facets. Antennae with 12 segments; scape not reaching the posterior margin of head; club not differentiated; terminal segment 1.6x as long as wide.

General form of alitrunk and petiole as in Fig; promesonotal suture distinctly incised; dorsal mesonotal-propodeal suture relatively weakly incised; posterolateral comers of propodeum dully angulate. Petiolar node thick and broad, with almost straight dorsal margin; dorsal length larger than that of basal length in profile; in dorsal view, disc 0.57 x as long as wide, with dully angulate posterolateral margins and concave posterior margin. Subpetiolar process with acute posterolateral teeth; fenestra oval.

Head and antennal scapes coarsely microreticulate; mandibles smooth and shining. Alitrunk, petiole and gaster coarsely microreticulate and punctate, excepting declivitous face of propodeum shining with scattered shallow punctures. Pubescence moderately abundant; erect or suberect hairs present on head, dorsa of alitrunk and petiolar node, and entire gaster.

Body reddish brown; clypeus yellowish; mandibles, antennae, legs and tip of gaster yellowish brown.

Type Material
Holotype. Worker, Miyako-jima, Okinawa Pref., 24.VII.1978, H. Takamine leg. Paratypes. 1 worker, same data as holotype; 4 workers, same locality, 10.11.1985, Y. Hashimoto leg.

Etymology
This species is named after the collector, MR. H. Takamine.