Manica yessensis

This species nests in gravelly sites, volcanic mountains, and dry river beds. Japanese name: Tsuya-kushike-ari

Identification
Workers 5-7 mm.

Head and gaster black, other parts brown, yellowish brown, or reddish brown. Mandibles armed with two large apical teeth and 10 or 11 denticles. Anterior clypeal margin slightly concave in the middle. Antennal scapes just reaching posterior border of the head; abruptly bent at the base. Dorsal margin of promesonotum in lateral view smoothly connected with the metanotal groove. Metanotal groove deeply impressed both dorsally and laterally. Both sides of the transition area between the dorsal and declivitous faces of the propodeum slightly raised and obtusely angulate in lateral view. Dorsal faces of head, mesosoma and petiole longitudinally rugose. Standing hairs abundant on body. Tibial spurs of middle and hind legs simple (they are more or less pectinate in the other Manica species).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Japan.

Biology
The larvae of this species were described under the name Manica sp. by Wheeler & Wheeler (1977). M. yessensis nest in the soil of volcanic mountains at gravelly sites with patchy vegetation, or under stones in dry river-beds. Dietary items include insects and honey dew. Winged reproductives emerge in August. Manica yessensis is sporadically distributed, perhaps in relation to its particular habitat preferences.

Castes
Only the worker caste has been described.

Nomenclature

 *  yessensis. Manica yessensis Azuma, 1955: 80 (footnote) (w.) JAPAN.

Description
Workers 5-7 mm.

Head and gaster black, other parts brown, yellowish brown, or reddish brown. Mandibles armed with two large apical teeth and 10 or 11 denticles. Anterior clypeal margin slightly concave in the middle. Antennal scapes just reaching posterior border of the head; abruptly bent at the base. Dorsal margin of promesonotum in lateral view smoothly connected with the metanotal groove. Metanotal groove deeply impressed both dorsally and laterally. Both sides of the transition area between the dorsal and declivitous faces of the propodeum slightly raised and obtusely angulate in lateral view. Dorsal faces of head, mesosoma and petiole longitudinally rugose. Standing hairs abundant on body. Tibial spurs of middle and hind legs simple (they are more or less pectinate in the other Manica species).

Tokochidake 1200-1300 m 17-VIII-1954 4508
 * Paratype

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Azuma M. 1955. A list of ants (Formicidae) from Hokkaido Is. Hyogo Biology 3:79-80.
 * Sakai H. 2002. Reproductive flight season of Japanese ants. Ari 26: 33-39.
 * Terayama M. 1992. Structure of ant communities in East Asia. A. Regional differences and species richness. Bulletin of the Bio-geographical Society of Japan 47: 1-31.
 * Terayama M., K. Ogata, and B.M. Choi. 1994. Distribution records of ants in 47 prefectures of Japan. Ari (report of the Myrmecologists Society of Japan) 18: 5-17.