Stictoponera hyalina

The types were collected in degraded coastal hill forest on granite. One label states the specimens were from a small colony in dry bracket fungus on a log.

Identification
Lattke (2004) - Other species that could be confused with G. hyalina because of the smooth mandibles and clypeus are Gnamptogenys leiolabia and Gnamptogenys biloba. The three species share the same clypeal configuation (two elevated clypeal ridges that define a median depression with effaced sculpturing) and may constitute a small monophyletic group. The other two species have some rugosity on the clypeus in contrast to the strikingly smooth and polished surface of G. hyalina. G. leiolabia is smaller (HL < 0.70; WL < 1.00 mm) than G. hyalina and G. biloba has the lateral clypeal ridges more protuberant and the metacoxal tooth shaped as a peg and not triangular.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Singapore.

Castes
Queen and male unknown.

Nomenclature

 *  hyalina. Gnamptogenys hyalina Lattke, 2004: 196, fig. 54 (w.) SINGAPORE.

Head in lateral view with compound eye small and occipital lamella gradually curving from cuticular surface along its anterior edge and abruptly ending at the posterior angle. The clypeus with median glabrous area delimited on each side by longitudinal ridges, mandible mostly smooth with sparse punctulae.

Worker
Metrics. [Holotype] Paratype: HL [1.06] 1.03, HW [0.75] 0.71, ML [0.42] 0.42, SL [0.77] 0.74, ED [0.18] 0.18, WL [1.51] 1.47 mm. CI [0.70] 0.69, SI [1.03] 1.05, MI [0.56] 0.59, OI [0.25] 0.25. Head with subparallel sides in frontal view; foveolae on head with intermediate areas larger than their diameters, foveolae become denser laterally; anterior margin of clypeal lamella convex; anteromedially glabrous, laterally bound by two ridges that project anterad from frontal carina and form sides of lamella; head with occipital lamella gradually rising from cuticular surface anterad but abruptly angular posteriorly in lateral view. Pronotum laterally with round to oval, irregularly spaced foveolae; mesopleuron mostly smooth (sometimes slightly undulate) with few foveolae; metapleuron smooth and shining anterad with transverse strigulae posterad; mesosomal dorsum mostly smooth and shining with widely spaced punctae, usually separated by more than their diameters, propodeal declivity with arching smooth lateral strip in oblique frontal view and brief longitudinal depressions surrounding foramen.

Petiolar node mostly smooth with sparse foveolae; subpetiolar process triangular and anteriorly projecting; postpetiolar dorsum mostly smooth with sparse foveolae, their diameters less than those on petiolar node, anterolaterally with deep foveolae that fade out and decrease in diameter posterad; fourth abdominal sternite very broadly convex, almost straight, in lateral view; abdominal tergite 4 mostly smooth with sparse punctulae. Fore coxae smooth and shining in lateral view. Dorsum of thorax and abdominal segments 1-4 with scattered erect to subdecumbent hairs. Body brown; legs, antennae, and mandibles ferruginous brown.

Type Material
Holotype worker. Singapore, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, 15-ii-1967, D.H. Murphy, Ab2-10. ants vial 32.16. Deposited in ANIC. Paratype. One paratype on the same pin as the holotype, also in ANIC.

Etymology
The species name is derived from the Greek adjective, hyalinos, meaning “of glass,” and alludes to the polished clypeal and mandibular sculpturing.