Ponera oreas

Little is known about the biology of Ponera oreas.

Identification
Similar to Ponera sinensis (see sinensis identification section for distinguishing characteristics).

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

Nomenclature

 *  oreas. Selenopone oreas Wheeler, W.M. 1933g: 20, fig. 8 (w.) PHILIPPINES. Taylor, 1967a: 52 (q.m.). Combination in Ponera: Wilson, 1957b: 381.

Descriptions below based on the syntype series (4 workers and a male) plus 29 workers and 2 dealate queens from the J. W. Chapman collection (MCZ). All material is from the vicinity of Dumaguete, Negros.

Worker
Taylor (1967) - 1. HL 0.50-0.54 mm; HW 0.47-0.51 mm; SL 0.38-0.41 mm; CI 92-95; SI 78-81; PW 0.35 -0.39 mm; PNL 0.15-0.19 mm; PH 0.35-0.37 mm; DPW 0.29-0.33 mm; PNI 82-85.

2. Mandibles with 3 large teeth occupying apical 1/2 of masticatory border, followed by an irregular series of 7 or 8 minute indistinct denticles. Palpal formula: Maxillary 2: Labial 2 (2 specimens dissected). Clypeus completely lacking a median tooth. Eyes small, with 3 to 6 indistinct facets, situated about 0.89 X the distance from the lateral occipital border to the midpoint of the anterior genal border. Scapes reaching, or very slightly exceeding, median occipital border. Antennal club rather indistinctly 4-segmented, apparently undifferentiated in some specimens. (It was described as 5-segmented by Wheeler, but see Wilson's (1957) notes.) Terminal antennomere slightly longer than the 2 preceding together.

3. Mesometanotal and lateral mesonotal sutures clearly defined. Posterolateral edges of propodeum slightly raised, forming angles of about 80° in dorsal view.

Other characters are discussed under Ponera sinensis.

Queen
Taylor (1967) - Two worker-associated dealates have the following dimensions: HL 0.54 mm, 0.57 mm; HW 0.52 mm, 0.54 mm; SL 0.41 mm, 0.43 mm; CI 96, 94; SI 89; PW 0.43 mm, 0.46 mm; PNL 0.20 mm, 0.21 mm; PH 0.40 mm, 0.42 mm; DPW 0.36 mm, 0.38 mm; PNI 84, 83; maximum diameter of eye 0.13 mm, 0.14 mm; ocular index 25, 26; palpal formula not determined. Differing from the worker in the usual features. Scapes extending posteriorly as in worker, parapsidal lines distinctly impressed, mesosomal structure complete, node not very markedly narrowed above relative to that of worker. The diagnostic characters of the sinensis complex workers are probably generally applicable to the queens; namely medium size, broad head, and feebly differentiated antennal club.

Male
Taylor (1967) - A single specimen originally mounted with the syntype workers has the following dimensions: HL 0.46 mm; HW across eyes 0.50 mm; CI 109; WL 0.89 mm; PNL 0.19 mm; PH 0.25 mm; DPW 0.19 mm; maximum diameter of eye 0.23 mm; ocular index 46; palpal formula (dissected): Maxillary 3: Labial 2. General structure of head, mesosoma, antennae, legs and node, as in P. pennsylvanica. Terminal abdominal sclerites and genitalia conforming to general plan for the genus. Pygidial spine somewhat longer than in pennsyivanica; basal ring of genital capsule with plane of genital foramen almost oblique to its longitudinal axis, so that the ring is nearly as long ventrally as it is dorsally. Dorsal process of paramere almost as long as ventral one, digitate in side view, with its lower edge thickened. This process in dorsal view is thin and arcuate, inclined mesally. Volsellae and penis valves as in pennsyivanica, the posterodorsal angle of the latter almost right angled. Wing venation of "caarctata type." Color medium dark brown.

Type Material
Guernos Mts, 1300 m, near Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippine Is. (Syntypes examined - coll.).

The types and most of the other specimens are deposited in the MCZ collection, and duplicates of the additional material are in, , (including queen) and.