Stictoponera posteropsis

Labels from some of the specimens examined indicated that some came from leaf-mold berlesate and rainforest or were taken while foraging on vegetation.

Identification
Lattke (2004) - This striking species cannot be mistaken for any other Gnamptogenys. The posteriorly placed eyes, the keel on the gaster, and the deep transverse sulcus on the anterior margin of the fourth abdominal sternite suggest specialized predatory habits.

Distribution
This taxon was described from Indonesia (Sumatra). It is also found in Philippines, Malaysia, Borneo and Sumatra.

Castes
Male is unknown.

Nomenclature

 *  posteropsis. Stictoponera posteropsis Gregg, 1951: 77, figs. 1, 3 (q.) INDONESIA (Sumatra). Lattke, 2004: 146 (w.). Combination in Gnamptogenys: Brown, 1958g: 229.

Lattke (2004) - Eye subglobulose and situated one-half its diameter or less from the vertex in lateral view; postpetiolar sternum with V-shaped anterior process and longitudinal median keel extending from process to just beyond posterior sternal margin, forming angular lamellate projection.

Worker
Lattke (2004) - Metrics. (n = 3): HL 1.09-1.74, HW 0.92-1.35, ML 0.54-0.90, SL 0.89-1.51, ED 0.17-0.26, WL 1.53-2.49 mm. CI 0.78-0.88, SI 0.97-1.12, MI 0.59-0.67, OI 0.19-0.20. Head with straight lateral margins in frontal view, posterior margin concave with posterolateral projecting occipital lobes, anterior margin of clypeal lamella slightly sinuate with convex median projection; clypeus usually longitudinally strigulose with shallow median sulcus, occasionally transversely strigulose or mostly smooth with scattered punctae; frons mostly with round to oval foveolae; vertex posteriorly bordered by transverse carina that joins occipital lobes; eye situated one-half its diameter or less from vertex; scape longitudinally strigulose; mandibular dorsum mostly longitudinally strigose with scattered prominent costae, masticatory margin slightly denticulate; occipital lobe projects posteroventrad in lateral view.

Mesosomal dorsum with uniformly distributed round to oval foveolae, intervening cuticle smooth; humeral angle lamellate; promesonotal suture weakly impressed, discernible only medially; anepisternum relatively narrow; metanotal sulcus vaguely impressed; mesosoma with very broadly convex dorsal margin in lateral view, mostly foveolate, especially propodeum; propodeal declivity bordered by triangular lamella that surrounds declivity, declivity mostly smooth except for median raised area. Petiolar dorsum densely foveolate, ventral process subquadrate in lateral view; postpetiolar dorsum with round to slightly oval foveolae, not as dense as on mesonotum, posterior margin scrobiculate; sternum with V-shaped anterior process and longitudinal median keel extending from process to just beyond posterior sternal margin, keel occasionally medially effaced, posteriorly forming angular projection; dorsum of abdominal segment 4 longitudinally costate, laterally foveolate; presternite of fourth abdominal sternite with bluntly pointed posteromedian directed lobe that hangs over broad, deep transverse sulcus with smooth cuticle on 3/4 anterior part of sternite, posterior fourth longitudinally strigulose; presternal lobe hook shaped in lateral view. Fore coxa strigose laterally; fore tarsus opposite strigil with row of setae, basal seta stoutest. Dorsum of thorax and abdominal segments 1-4 with abundant erect hairs. Head, mesosoma, petiole, and gaster reddish to dark brown; mandibles, antennae, legs light brown to brown.

Queen
Lattke (2004) - Metrics (n = 1): HL 1.80, HW 1.42, ML 0.87, SL 1.52, ED 0.32, WL 2.73 mm. CI 0.79, SI 1.07, MI 0.61, OI 0.23. Pronotum densely foveolate laterally, medially either foveolate or mostly smooth; mesonotum longitudinally rugulose-punctate; anepisternum foveolate to longitudinally rugulose with scattered foveolae; propodeum densely foveolate.

Type Material
Lattke (2004) - Holotype queen: [Indonesia], Sumatra, Lampong, Wai Lima (Karny) [Examined].

Additional References

 * [[Media:Gregg 1951.pdf|Gregg, R. E. 1951. Two new species of exotic ants. Psyche (Camb.) 58: 77-84 PDF]]