Myrmoteras donisthorpei

Specimens have been collected from various forest habitats.

Identification
Moffett (1985) - With the distinguishing characteristics of the donisthorpei group and a smooth and shining gaster, and with summit of propodeum not higher than the mesonotum.

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

Nomenclature

 *  donisthorpei. Myrmoteras donisthorpei Wheeler, W.M. 1916b: 14, fig. 3 (q.) BORNEO. Moffett, 1985b: 42 (w.m.). Combination in M. (Myagroteras): Moffett, 1985b: 42.

Moffett (1985):

Worker
Described for the first time from several series from Borneo. TL 4.5 to 4.8, HW 0.83 to 0.90, HL 0.82 to 0.91 (CI 97 to 101), ML 1.20 to 1.38 (Ml 146 to 154), SL 0.84 to 0.98 (SI 102 to 109), EL 0.56 to 0.61, HFL 0.83 to 0.95 (TWI 24 to 27), WL 1.19 to 1.28 mm. Frontal sulcus a narrow groove; orbital furrow moderately conspicuous. Frontal area present but poorly demarcated. Palpal segmentation 5,4 in two workers from Sarawak and 5,3 in the worker from Sabah. Workers from Sarawak and Sabah with 12 to 13 teeth and 2 to 4 preapical denticles (usually 2 to 3); single worker from Kalimantan with 10 teeth and 3 preapical denticles on both mandibles. Apical denticle pair small in size, the smallest very tiny and closely applied to the slender, more apical denticle.

Trunk as described for Myrmoteras chondrogastrum except in side view with a wide, shallow concavity between metathoracic tubercles and propodeum (but metanotal groove not visible as a conspicuously impressed notch in profile). Petiole also very similar, but with anterior face of node closer to vertical; summit broader. Tibiae strongly dilated.

Head (including frontal area and clypeus) longitudinally granulo-rugose, with sculpture extending back to about as far as median ocellus, rugae ca. 0.01 mm across; smooth on occiput, laterally beneath eyes (except for feeble vertical rugae near eyes) and under head. Pronotum transversely granulo-rugose, sculptured more feebly on sides; mesothorax longitudinally granulo-rugose dorsad, laterally with three to five narrow longitudinal rugae on smooth surface; propodeum feebly granulate, declivity very feebly transversely granulo-rugose to smooth. Hair density moderate, with 17 to 26 hairs breaking dorsal margin of trunk when viewed in profile. Hairs short, rising 0.06 to 0.08 mm on head and 0.10 mm on trunk and gaster; two to three hairs on or near each metathoracic tubercle and five to seven on node of petiole. Mostly orange red to reddish orange, with head slightly lighter colored and legs reddish orange with femora, trochanters, and sometimes the coxae virtually white; antennae and mandibles orange yellow. Sabah specimen very dark orange red, including legs.

Queen
Holotype: TL 4.5, HW 0.85, HL 0.88 (CI 97), ML 1.26 (MI 144), SL 0.91 (SI 107), EL 0.58, HFL 0.88 (TWI 24), WL 1.20 mm. Both mandibles with 12 teeth and two preapical denticles (Sarawak queen with 11 to 12 teeth). Less strongly sculptured than described for Sarawak workers, with sculpture on head rugulose, rugae ca. 0.01 mm in width; clypeus more feebly and irregularly rugulose; trunk virtually smooth, very feebly granulate on mesonotum; propodeum transversely rugose dorsally (rugae 0.02 to 0.03 mm apart), obliquely rugose on sides, and with declivity virtually smooth. Coloration similar to workers but femora not as pale.

Male
Described for the first time from a Sarawak specimen: HW 0.59, HL 0.65 (CI 91), SL 0.78 (SI 132), EL 0.34, WL 0.98 mm. Frontal sulcus a feebly impressed medial line. Papal segmentation 6,4. Head smooth except for a trace of granulate sculpture low on face; clypeus feebly granulate. Trunk granulate; propodeum with a denser network of rugae than in Myrmoteras williamsi; these continue onto declivity. Traces of granulate sculpture on petiole.

Type Material
Borneo: West Sarawak: Mt. Matang, 16.1.1914, 1 alate queen, G. E. Bryant, [examined].

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

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 * Pfeiffer M.; Mezger, D.; Hosoishi, S.; Bakhtiar, E. Y.; Kohout, R. J. 2011. The Formicidae of Borneo (Insecta: Hymenoptera): a preliminary species list. Asian Myrmecology 4:9-58
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 * Wheeler W. M. 1916. Four new and interesting ants from the mountains of Borneo and Luzon. Proceedings of the New England Zoological Club 6: 9-18.
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