Myrmoteras karnyi

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Moffett (1985) - Similar to Myrmoteras donisthorpei, but with pronotum and propodeum relatively very high and convex: summit of propodeum higher than mesonotum, and as high as summit of pronotum.

Can be assigned to Myagroteras from examination of figure in Gregg (1954), which is relatively detailed and is assumed to be accurate. The figure shows a conspicuous frontal sulcus, mandibles only very feebly curving ventrad near tips, and the lack of trigger hairs and projecting triangular labrum. I tentatively place M. karnyi in the donisthorpei group because of the strong convex curvature of the sternum of the petiole, as judged by the illustration of Gregg (1954). Also the sculpture, although apparently not granulate as in the other species in this group, is much better developed than in species of the Myrmoteras bakeri group. However, the conformation of the trunk apparently bears a resemblance to Myrmoteras williamsi, and it is possible that karnyi belongs in the williamsi group.

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

Nomenclature

 *  karnyi. Myrmoteras karnyi Gregg, 1954b: 23, fig. 1 (w.) INDONESIA (Mentawei I.) Combination in M. (Myagroteras): Moffett, 1985b: 43.

Description
Moffett (1985) - The following is based on the description of Gregg and the figure which accompanies it: frontal furrow a narrow, conspicuous groove; orbital furrows narrow, moderately conspicuous (in drawing appearing much as in Myrmoteras donisthorpei). Mandibles with 10 teeth and two apical denticles, but apparently lacking preapical denticles. Head dorsally with narrow longitudinal "striations or rugulae" from margin of clypeus to well above antennal bases, behind this apparently smooth; rugae straight except where they curve around the antennal insertions. Pronotum higher and more strongly convex than in M. donisthorpei and Myrmoteras chondrogastrum; mesothorax with "strong longitudinal rugae," and strongly depressed relative to pronotum and propodeum, "recalling the condition in Myrmoteras williamsi”; propodeum as high as the pronotum and strongly convex, and from drawing apparently longitudinally rugose. Pilosity on trunk apparently at least moderately dense. Petiole strongly convex beneath node; node apparently narrower than in donisthorpei or chondrogastrum. Middle and hind tibiae relatively slender, with the drawing comparing favorably with chondrogastrum, and unlike the strongly dilated condition in donisthorpei. Color unknown.

Length in original description given as 3.6 mm. However, judging from the value Gregg gives for the length of the Myrmoteras ceylonicum holotype (Gregg, 1956), his measure of total length does not include ML; TL therefore estimated as 4.5 to 4.6 mm. "Head index" given as 0.92, but the value of this index given by Gregg (1956) for ceylonicum holotype is much lower than that calculated given the definition of cephalic index used here; calculation based on Gregg's illustration of karnyi yields a CI of 97. These estimates of the TL and CI values compare very favorably to the values for M. donisthorpei.

Type Material
Moffett (1985) - Indonesia: Mentawai Archipelago: Sipora Island, 22G, 31 October 1924 H. H. Karny. Deposited in Zoologisch Museum en Laboratorium, Bogor; holotype not found.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Gregg R. E. 1954. Geographical distribution of the genus Myrmoteras, including the description of a new species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Psyche (Cambridge) 61: 20-30.
 * Moffett M.W. 1985. Revision of the genus Myrmoteras. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 151: 1-53.