Mesoponera manni

The type specimens were collected by Mann from a colony nesting in a rotting log in lowland rain forest. Wilson collected this species under a rock in a partial clearing in midmountain rainforest of Bandong, New Guinea (Wilson, 1958).

Identification
Wilson (1958): This form is closely related to, and possibly conspecific with, the Indo-Malayan species M. rubra (Fr. Smith). More material from over the ranges of both species is needed before their relationship can be exactly determined. M. manni differs from the sympatric M. papuana as follows. (1) The petiolar node of manni resembles that of melanaria and australis as opposed to that of papuana (see also under papuana). (2) Manni differs from papuana, and also melanaria and australis, by its notably smaller eye size (eye length 0.13 mm as opposed to 0.15 mm). M. rubra, however, has an almost exactly intermediate eye size. (3) The body color of manni is light to medium reddish brown, that of papuana and melanaria always blackish brown. Australis is usually blackish brown but occasional specimens are as light as manni.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: New Guinea, Solomon Islands. Oriental Region: India.

Nomenclature

 * . Euponera (Mesoponera) melanaria subsp. manni Viehmeyer, 1924a: 228 (w.) SOLOMON IS (San Cristoval I., Isabel I.).
 * Type-material: syntype workers (number not stated).
 * Type-localities: Solomon Is: San Cristoval I., Wai-ai (W.M. Mann), and Isabel I., Fulakora (W.M. Mann).
 * [Note: taxon based on papuana Viehmeyer, sensu Mann, 1919: 290.]
 * Type-depository: MCZC.
 * Combination in Mesoponera: Wilson, 1958d: 349;
 * combination in Pachycondyla: Brown, in Bolton, 1995b: 307;
 * combination in Mesoponera: Schmidt, C.A. & Shattuck, 2014: 111.
 * Status as species: Wilson, 1958d: 349; Bolton, 1995b: 307; Sarnat, et al. 2013: 73; Bharti, Guénard, et al. 2016: 52.
 * Senior synonym of robiginosa: Wilson, 1958d: 349; Bolton, 1995b: 307.
 * Distribution: India, Indonesia (Irian Jaya), Papua New Guinea, Solomon Is.
 * robiginosa. Euponera (Mesoponera) robiginosa Donisthorpe, 1941c: 131 (w.) NEW GUINEA (Indonesia).
 * Type-material: holotype worker.
 * Type-locality: Indonesia: Irian Jaya (“Dutch New Guinea”), Cyclops Mts, Sabron, 2000 ft, vi.1936, no. 221, in dead leaves (L.E. Cheesman).
 * Type-depository: BMNH.
 * [Misspelled as rubiginosa by Chapman & Capco, 1951: 65.]
 * Status as species: Chapman & Capco, 1951: 65.
 * Junior synonym of manni: Wilson, 1958d: 349; Bolton, 1995b: 308.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Chapman, J. W., and Capco, S. R. 1951. Check list of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Asia. Monogr. Inst. Sci. Technol. Manila 1: 1-327
 * Donisthorpe H. 1941. Descriptions of new species of ants from New Guinea. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (11)7: 129-144.
 * Janda M., G. D. Alpert, M. L. Borowiec, E. P. Economo, P. Klimes, E. Sarnat, and S. O. Shattuck. 2011. Cheklist of ants described and recorded from New Guinea and associated islands. Available on http://www.newguineants.org/. Accessed on 24th Feb. 2011.
 * Wilson E. O. 1958. Studies on the ant fauna of Melanesia III. Rhytidoponera in western Melanesia and the Moluccas. IV. The tribe Ponerini. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 119: 303-371.
 * Wilson Edward O. 1959. Adaptive Shift and Dispersal in a Tropical Ant Fauna. Evolution 13(1): 122-144