Lioponera neocaledonica

This species was collected on the forest soil at an elevation of 441 m, which corresponds to a mixed humid forest supporting abundant shrubs of the remarkable, endemic basal angiosperm species Amborella trichopoda Baill. (Amborellaceae) as well as ferns of the Marattiaceae, namely Ptisana rolandiprincipis (Rosenst.) Christenh.

Identification
Lioponera neocaledonica is mostly characterized by the combination of the following features: mesosoma dorsolaterally conspicuously marginate, propodeal declivity without dorsal margin; posterolateral corners of petiole not projected into spines. The two latter features easily serve to distinguish L. neocaledonica from the other New Caledonian species Lioponera cohici and Lioponera dumbletoni.



Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: New Caledonia.

Nomenclature

 *  neocaledonica. Lioponera neocaledonica Jouault, Ramage & Perrichot, in Ramage et al., 2019: 7, figs. 4, 5B (w.) NEW CALEDONIA.

Type Material


The potential presence of ergatogynes in Lioponera (Wilson 1957; Borowiec 2016) prevents assignment of the present specimens to workers or ergatogynes. However, given that the holotype and 2 paratypes were collected together foraging outside the nest, it is likely they are workers rather than reproductives.