Stictoponera gastrodeia

The biology of this species is unknown.

Identification
Lattke (2004) - This striking species could be confused with Gnamptogenys palamala because of the bulge on the fourth abdominal tergite, but G. palamala can be recognized by its mostly smooth mandibular dorsum with its diverging basal and masticatory margins. G. palamala also has longitudinal costae on the posterior half of the fourth abdominal dorsum, in contrast with the areolae of G. gastrodeia. The standing hairs on the mesosoma of G. gastrodeia are longer than in most other species of Gnamptogenys examined.

Distribution
Only known from Indonesia.

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

Castes
Males are unknown.

Nomenclature

 *  gastrodeia. Gnamptogenys gastrodeia Lattke, 2004: 114, fig. 24 (w.q.) INDONESIA (Sumatra).

Cephalic vertex posteriorly bound by prominent thick lamella, visible in full-face view and merging with occipital lamella. Propodeal spiracle lighter in color than surrounding cuticle; dorsum of abdominal segment 4 bulging into prominent convexity that extends to halfway point, mostly foveolate with foveolae on bulge becoming very elongate.

Worker
Metrics. Holotype: HL 2.06, HW 1.58, ML 1.05, SL 1.92, ED 0.32, WL 2.98 mm. CI 0.77, SI 1.22, MI 0.66, OI 0.20. Head with broadly convex lateral margins in frontal view, posterior margin concave, anterior margin of clypeal lamella evenly convex; frons densely foveolate; clypeus longitudinally strigulose-punctate, with fine longitudinal sulcus extending posterad from frontal triangle almost to anterior level of eye in frontal view; vertex posteriorly bound by prominent thick lamella, visible in full-face view, merges with occipital lamella; mandibular dorsum longitudinally costulate, with large gap separating internal mandibular margin from clypeus. Scape mostly smooth, with scattered longitudinal strigulae-carinae, especially apically; occipital lamella prominent, with transverse ridges.

Mesosoma densely foveolate in lateral view, foveolae ranging from rounded to irregularly oval; anepisterum narrow; mesosomal dorsum densely foveolate, mesonotum with longitudinal strigulae; promesonotal suture and metanotal sulcus present as fine transverse impressed lines; propodeal spiracle lighter in color than surrounding cuticle, propodeal declivity foveolate anteriorly, smooth posteriorly. Petiolar dorsum foveolate, ventral process forming small anteriorly placed denticle in lateral view; postpetiolar dorsum with mostly oval foveolae, posterior margin drops sharply forming distinct, but narrow scrobiculate-strigose posterior face; postpetiolar sternum with V-shaped anterior process, discal area mostly smooth with lateral foveolae; postpetiole with round foveolae anteriorly and elongate foveolae posteriorly in lateral view; dorsum of abdominal segment 4 with narrow transverse anterior smooth patch, afterward bulging into prominent convexity that extends posteriorly halfway, foveolate with foveolae on bulge very elongate. Fore coxae strigulose in lateral view, fore tarsus opposite strigil with row of stout setae. Dorsum of thorax and abdominal segments 1-4 with relatively long, erect to subdecumbent hairs. Head, mesosoma, petiole, and gaster dark brown to black; mandibles, antennae, legs brown.

Queen
Metrics (MBBJ specimen): HL 1.82, HW 1.45, ML 0.92, SL 1.57, ED 0.32, WL 2.78 mm. CI 0.80, SI 1.08, MI 0.63, OI 0.24. Pronotum and mesonotum mostly areolate; mesonotum with longitudinal strigulae; anepisterum partly areolate, partly striate; katepisternum with foveolae; metanotum smooth; propodeum areolate dorsally and laterally. Postpetiolar dorsum with elongate oval to pyriform depressions, with smooth intervening cuticle, posterior margin strigose; postpetiolar sternum mostly smooth with some lateral areolae, anterior process V-shaped, two longitudinal carinae form low median keel. Dorsum of abdominal segment 4 areolate and with prominent anteromedian tumosity.

Type Material
Holotype worker. Indonesia, Sumatera Barat, Sukarami, 1/5-i-1992, F. Ito FI. Deposited in MBBJ. Paratype. One queen in from Indonesia, C. Java, res. Kedoe, Mt. Tamojo, 1200ft, 29-x-1939, M.A. Lieftinck.

Etymology
The species name is derived from the Greek term for “potbellied”, gastrodes.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Lattke J. E. 2004. A taxonomic revision and phylogenetic analysis of the ant genus Gnamptogenys Roger in Southeast Asia and Australasia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ponerinae). University of California Publications in Entomology 122: 1-266.