Ponera taipingensis

Known only from the type material, which was collected from a "rotting branch."

Identification
Taylor (1967) - The nominate species of the taipingensis group. Workers differ from those of the related Ponera syscena and Ponera colaensis in possessing a distinct median clypeal tooth. Additionally colaensis has a narrower head (cephalic index 81-83 as opposed to 84-86 in taipingensis), and wider petiolar node (petiolar node index 88-91 against 84-85); and syscena has a much narrower node (PNI 79-82). The 4th member of its complex, Ponera loi, has a distinct clypeal tooth, but the cephalic and petiolar node indices have quite different ranges from those of taipingensis (CI 79-83, PNI 78-82), and the ranges of petiole height measurements differ between the 2 species (PH 0.39-0.44 mm in loi, 0.45-0.47 mm in taipingensis).

This species is distinguished from the only other known Malayan Ponera (Ponera japonica) by its larger size (HW 0.52-0.54 mm against 0.43 mm), longer scapes - those of Malayan japonica specimens clearly fail to attain the occipital border which is reached by the scapes in taipingensis - and thicker petiolar node, forming an almost exact half-circle in dorsal view.

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

Biology
Little is known about the biology of Ponera taipingensis.

Castes
Immature stages and sexuals unknown.

Nomenclature

 *  taipingensis. Ponera taipingensis Forel, 1913k: 12 (w.) WEST MALAYSIA. See also: Taylor, 1967a: 56.

Worker
Taylor (1967) - Syntypes. The following notes are based on 2 syntype workers kindly loaned from the Forel collection by Dr C. Besuchet. One of these is here designated as lectotype and has been so labeled. Dimensions (lectotype cited first): HL 0.64 mm, 0.60 mm; HW 0.54 mm, 0.52 mm; SL 0.47 mm, 0.45 mm; CI 84, 86; SI 87; PW 0.45 mm, 0.41 mm; PNL 0.23 mm, 0.21 mm; PH 0.47 mm, 0.45 mm; DPW 0.38 mm, 0.35 mm; PNI 84, 85. General features as in fig. 43-45. Mandibles with 3 large teeth occupying slightly less than apical 1 /2 of masticatory border, followed by a series of 5 to 7 small regular denticles. Median clypeal tooth well developed. Eyes apparently 1-faceted, situated about 0.77 x distance from lateral occipital border to midpoint of anterior genal border. Scapes almost exactly reaching median occipital border when laid back along head. Funiculus incrassate but lacking a segmentally differentiated club; apical antennomere about as long as 2 preceding together. General form of mesosoma much as in Ponera scabra, mesometanotal suture not distinctly incised dorsally, but represented by a shallow broad transverse convexity. Lateral mesonotal suture almost obliterated. Posterolateral angles of propodeum each marked by a slightly raised carina, forming angles of a little less than 90° when viewed from above. Lateral and declivitous faces of propodeum, viewed from same aspect, almost straight, sides converging slightly anteriorly. Petiolar node as in figs. 44 and 45. Dorsal face, viewed from above forming an almost exact half-circle; posterior border very slightly sinuate, feebly convex in middle, and weakly concave at sides.

Mandibles smooth and shining, clypeus irregularly shagreened, moderately shining. Head opaque, closely covered with moderately large, almost contiguous, punctae, about 0.01 mm in diameter. Occipital area shining, with scattered small punctures. Pronotum moderately shining, finely and closely punctate. Mesonotum with puncturation similar to that of head, but a little more scattered; dorsum of propodeum similarly, but more sparsely punctate — the inter-punctural intervals slightly more than average diameter of punctae. Sides of mesosoma moderately punctate and feebly shining, a little more so on middle of lateral faces of pronotum and propodeum. A somewhat effaced longitudinal striate-rugosity on lower 1/2 of mesepisternum and on mete pi sternal area. Declivitous face of propodeum shining, with traces of an effaced transverse rugosity, much as described above for Ponera chapmani. Sculpture of node and gaster as in chapmani, the almost vertical striation of the posteroventral parts of the sides of the node less distinct, and the punctae of the 1st 2 gastric tergites smaller.

Pilosity sparse, limited to a few fine erect to suberect hairs on mandibles, clypeus, frontal lobes, dorsa of mesosoma and node and entire gaster, where they are relatively very sparse. Pubescence everywhere moderately abundant. Color as described above for P. chapmani.

Type Material
Taylor (1967) - MALAYA: Maxwell's Hill, near Taiping, 1200 m, 2 workers collected from a rotting branch (Buttle-Reepen) Forel collection. (Syntypes examined - Forel coll., ).