Hypoponera aitkenii

This is a widespread and dominant species of Hypoponera restricted to South India. This species is allopatric to the related, more northerly Hypoponera wroughtonii.

Identification
Bharti et al. (2015) - H. aitkenii can be easily distinguished from Hypoponera confinis by the absence of cross-ribs at the base of the cinctus of the second gastral tergite.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India.

Nomenclature

 *  aitkenii. Ponera confinis var. aitkenii Forel, 1900d: 325 (diagnosis in key) (w.) INDIA. Forel, 1900d: 327 (q.). Combination in Hypoponera: Bolton, 1995b: 213. Raised to species: Bharti et al., 2015: 38.

Worker
Bharti et al. (2015) - HL 0.52-0.55, HW 0.41-0.43, HS 0.46-0.49, SL 0.37-0.41, PrW 0.31-0.33, WL 0.62-0.68, HFL 0.37-0.40, PeNL 0.09-0.11, PeH 0.31-0.35, PeNW 0.23-0.26, PeS 0.21-0.24, CI 76-81, SI 90-96, PeNI 73-81, LPeI 27-30, DPeI 259-275 (21 measured).

Eyes present, small but distinct with 2-4 small ommatidia. The individual ommatidia are sometimes poorly defined or even partially fused. Impression that extends back along midline of head from the frontal lobes fails to reach the midlength of the vertex. Apex of scape, when laid straight back from its insertion in full-face view, fails to reach the midpoint of the posterior margin; SI 90-96. Reticulate-punctate sculpture on cephalic dorsum very fine and denser than on the dorsal pronotum, which is almost smooth with only very widely spaced minute superficial punctulae present. Mesonotal-mesopleural suture distinct on side of mesosoma. Metanotal groove distinctly incised across dorsum of mesosoma; mesonotum with a defined posterior margin. Mesopleuron mostly to entirely smooth and shining, unsculptured except for a few scattered minute pits. Propodeum weakly marginate between declivity and side. Petiole squamiform; node in profile tall and narrow, with the anterior and posterior faces converging dorsally to a short and narrowly rounded dorsum. Subpetiolar process in profile a rounded lobe, without angles anteriorly or posteriorly. In dorsal view the petiole node much broader than long, the dorsal surface very short from front to back. Maximum width of first gastral tergite in dorsal view equal or slightly greater than width of the second tergite at its midlength. Base of cinctus of second gastral tergite smooth and shining in dorsal view, without cross-ribs. Post-tergite of second gastral segment, from posterior margin of cinctus to apex, slightly broader than long. Full adult colour varies from dull yellow to dark brown.

Queen
Bharti et al. (2015) - HL 0.57-0.60, HW 0.47-0.48, HS 0.52-0.54, SL 0.42-0.44, PrW 0.38-0.43, WL 0.78-0.83, HFL 0.45-0.46, PeNL 0.10-0.11, PeH 0.37-0.42, PeNW 0.28-0.31, PeS 0.26-0.28,CI 78-82, SI 89-93, PeNI 71-75, LPeI 26-27, DPeI 259-304 (7 measured).

Characters as in worker, with modifications expected for caste and the following differences: Sculpture feebler and antennae slender than in workers. Eyes with short setae present between the ommatidia.