Hypoponera wroughtonii

H. wroughtonii is restricted Northern India. This species is allopatric to the related, southerly Hypoponera aitkenii and was collected chiefly from forested habitats with good leaf litter. (Bharti et al. 2015)

Identification
Bharti et al. (2015) - Described by Forel (1900) as an infraspecific form, confinis var. wroughtonii. It is an independent species and removed from its association with Hypoponera confinis from which it can be easily distinguished by absence of cross-ribs at base of cinctus of second gastral tergite. However, it most closely resembles Hypoponera aitkenii from which it can be distinguished by relatively large size, HW 0.44-0.48, and longer petiole node in profile, PeNL 0.12-0.15, compared to aitkenii, HW 0.41-0.43, PeNL 0.09-0.11.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India.

Nomenclature

 *  wroughtonii. Ponera confinis var. wroughtonii Forel, 1900d: 325 (diagnosis in key) (w.) INDIA. Combination in Hypoponera: Bolton, 1995b: 217. Raised to species: Bharti et al., 2015: 49.

Worker
Bharti et al. (2015) - HL 0.55-0.59, HW 0.44-0.48, HS 0.50-0.53, SL 0.39-0.44, PrW 0.32-0.39, WL 0.68-0.76, HFL 0.39-0.44, PeNL 0.12-0.15, PeH 0.33-0.37, PeNW 0.24-0.28, PeS 0.23-0.27, CI 78-83, SI 88-95, PeNI 72-80, LPeI 36-40, DPeI 196-221(25 measured).

Eyes small but conspicuous, of 2-6 ommatidia that are irregular in size and may be partially fused. Dorsum of head with a fine impressed line that barely reaches the midlength of the vertex. Apex of scape, when laid straight back from its insertion in full-face view, fails to touch the midpoint of the posterior margin; SI 88- 95. Reticulate-punctulate sculpture of cephalic dorsum fine and dense. Mesonotal-mesopleural suture present. Mesopleuron unsculptured. Metanotal groove conspicuous on dorsum of mesosoma; mesonotum with a well-defined posterior margin. Propodeum bluntly marginate between declivity and sides. Petiole squamiform; in profile with the anterior and posterior faces of the node distinctly convergent dorsally so that the node is broader just above the tubercle than at its apex. Subpetiolar process in profile without sharp angles anteriorly or posteriorly. In dorsal view the petiole node distinctly broader than long. Maximum width of first gastral tergite in dorsal view equal to or slightly more than the width of the second tergite at its midlength. Base of cinctus of second gastral tergite smooth in dorsal view, without cross-ribs dorsally. Post-tergite of second gastral segment, from posterior margin of cinctus to apex, broader than long. Disc of second gastral tergite finely superficially punctulate. Full adult colour dark brown.

Queen
Bharti et al. (2015) - HL 0.60-0.63, HW 0.49- 0.51, HS 0.55-0.57, SL 0.45-0.47, PrW 0.39-0.44, WL 0.85-0.90, HFL 0.46-0.49, PeNL 0.14-0.16, PeH 0.42-0.44, PeNW 0.29-0.32, PeS 0.28-0.31, CI 79-82, SI 90-94, PeNI 73-74, LPeI 33-36, DPeI 204-209 (5 measured).

Characters as in worker, with modifications expected for caste and the following differences: Eyes with short setae projecting between the ommatidia. Impression on dorsum of head reaches the median ocellus. Punctulate sculpture more pronounced, subpetiolar process low and elongate than her workers.

Male
Bharti et al. (2015) - HL 0.46, HW 0.45, HS 0.46, SL 0.11, WL 0.82, HFL 0.53, PeNL 0.14, PeH 0.25, PeNW 0.18, PeS 0.19, CI 98, SI 24, LPeI 56, DPeI 128 (1 measured).

Head almost as broad as long, including the large compound eyes. Eyes with short setae present between the ommatidia. Mid-dorsal longitudinal impression on head reaches the median ocellus. Ocelli spaced about 2x their diameter. Mandibles reduced, narrow, converging apically, apex simple and acute; basal cavity visible in full-face view. Antenna filiform. Clypeus entire and convex. Sculpture feebler than in corresponding workers. Colour light brown.