Tetraponera modesta

Collections with habitat information include foraging workers from lowland rainforest vegetation (New Guinea, Sarawak, Singapore), fogging samples from Dryobalanops beccarri in mixed dipterocarp forest (Brunei), and fogging samples from Aporusa sp. in lower montane dipterocarp forest (Sabah). The localities from which this species has been collected cover a much wider range of habitats, however. (Ward 2001)

Identification
A member of the Tetraponera allaborans species-group.

Ward (2001) - Tetraponera modesta can be recognised by the combination of small size (HW <0.65, LHT <0.58), yellow to orange-brown coloration of the head and mesosoma, and relatively slender petiole (PLI <0.60). Throughout its rather wide range this species shows a substantial amount of variation in color and body form.

As one proceeds south there is a gradual trend towards darkening of the gaster, this being most pronounced in samples from Bali, Lombok and New Guinea where the gaster is uniformly dark brown. In intervening regions one finds workers with intermediate (and variable) maculation on the gaster. More puzzling are a few samples of modesta-like specimens from Borneo (Sabah: Poring Spring) and the Philippines (Dumaguete) that show a tendency towards darkening of the head, posterior mesosoma and femora. These specimens thus show contrasts in body color similar to those of Tetraponera extenuata, and the distinction between the two becomes difficult to sustain. It is possible that there is some genetic introgression between the two forms in these localities, but additional studies are needed to address this question.

Distribution
Widely distributed from eastern India to southern China south through Malaysia and Indonesia to Papua New Guinea.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Borneo, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore. Oriental Region: India, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam. Palaearctic Region: China, Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea.

Nomenclature

 *  modesta. Pseudomyrma modesta Smith, F. 1860b: 106 (w.) INDONESIA (Batjan I.). Combination in Sima: Dalla Torre, 1893: 54; in S. (Tetraponera): Emery, 1921f: 26; in Tetraponera: Donisthorpe, 1932c: 462. Senior synonym of fulva, pisarskii: Ward, 2001: 616.
 * fulva. Sima (Tetraponera) fulva Viehmeyer, 1916a: 117, fig. 2 (w.q.) SINGAPORE. Combination in Tetraponera: Chapman & Capco, 1951: 80. Junior synonym of modesta: Ward, 2001: 616.
 * pisarskii. Tetraponera pisarskii Radchenko, 1997g: 480, figs. 1, 2 (w.) KOREA. Junior synonym of modesta: Ward, 2001: 616.

Worker
Ward (2001) - HW 0.49-0.64, HL 0.63-0.77, LHT 0.43-0.58, CI 0.71-0.84, FCI 0.08-0.12, REL 0.34-0.41, REL2 0.43-0.52, SI 0.58-0.68, SI3 1.17-1.48, FI 0.36-0.43, PLI 0.45-0.59, PWI 0.38-0.44, PDI 1.03-1.29, LHT/HW 0.82-0.92, CSC 1-2, MSC 2-4.

Small species (HW <0.65); median clypeal lobe narrow, furnished with 2-3 small denticles (often effaced), and usually extending anteriorly beyond the reach of the anterolateral clypeal margins (but shorter than the anterolateral margins in some specimens); profemur relatively slender; lateral margins of pronotum soft-edged, convex in dorsal view, and corresponding to the maximum width of pronotum; mesopropodeal impression well developed, longitudinally rugulate, and lacking metanotal plate; propodeum relatively high and narrow, PDI usually > 1.10, less than this in some northern samples; petiole relatively slender (see PLI and PWI values). Integument smooth and shiny, with scattered fine punctures (c. 0.01 mm diameter) and fine irregular lineations; lower malar area longitudinally carinate; a few weak longitudinal carinulae may be present on the mesopleuron, metapleuron and side of propodeum. Standing pilosity sparse; long standing hairs (>0.05 mm) present on gaster and apex of head and as follows: one supraocular pair, 1-2 pairs (usually two) on pronotum, 0-1 pair on petiole and 0-1 pair on postpetiole; shorter, mostly appressed hairs scattered over body, inconspicuous. Body color varying from light yellow to medium orange-brown, the gaster either concolorous, partially infuscated, or wholly dark brown; appendages usually somewhat lighter than body.

Type Material
Ward (2001) - Holotype (by monotypy), worker, Bachian [as 'Bac.'], Indonesia.