Hypoponera schmidti

A tropical species that has been collected from leaf litter.

Identification
Bharti et al. (2015) - H. schmidti is the largest known Indian species and is similar to the endemic Sri Lankan species Hypoponera taprobanae. The two species however can be easily separated. H. taprobanae is a smaller, bright yellow coloured species, predominately smooth and shining without much pilosity and sculpture, the occipital margin is straight, the clypeus has a blunt triangular protruding front edge, and the ventral side of the petiolar node has two small denticles. In contrast H. schmidti is a larger, brown coloured species with prominent sculpture and pilosity, the occipital margin concave in middle, the clypeus is rounded and without a protruding front edge and the ventral side of the petiolar node is angulated and without two small denticles.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India.

Nomenclature

 *  schmidti. Hypoponera schmidti Bharti, Akbar, Wachkoo & Singh, 2015: 48, figs. 34-39 (w.q.) INDIA.

Worker
(holotype in brackets): HL 0.69- (0.72), HW 0.57-(0.59), HS 0.97-(1.01), SL 0.49- (0.51), PrW 0.41-(0.43), WL 0.83-(0.86), HFL 0.55-0.56, PeNL 0.16-(0.17), PeH 0.40-(0.41), PeNW 0.29-(0.31), PeS 0.28-(0.29), CI (81)-82, SI 85-(86), PeNI 70-(72), LPeI 0.40-(0.41), DPeI 181-182 (3 measured).

Eyes prominent, of 4-7 ommatidia that are irregular in size and may be partially fused. Dorsal impression extends back along midline of head from the frontal lobes, reaching at least the midlength of the vertex or further. Apex of scape, when laid straight back from its insertion in full-face view, touches or slightly exceeds the midpoint of the posterior margin; SI 85- (86). Reticulate-punctulate sculpture of cephalic dorsum fine and dense. Mesonotal-mesopleural conspicuous. In profile pro-mesonotum strongly convex, discontinuous at the deep metanotal groove; dorsum of propodeum oblique and lower than pro-mesonotum. Mesopleuron unsculptured. Metanotal groove conspicuous on dorsum of mesosoma; mesonotum with a well-defined posterior margin. Sides of propodeal declivity weakly marginate. Petiole in profile with the anterior and posterior faces of the node convergent dorsally. Subpetiolar process in profile bluntly rounded without sharp angles anteriorly or posteriorly. In dorsal view the petiole node distinctly broader than long. Maximum width of first gastral tergite in dorsal view equal to the width of the second tergite at its midlength. Base of cinctus of second gastral tergite crowded with cross-ribs. Post-tergite of second gastral segment, from posterior margin of cinctus to apex, slightly broader than long. Disc of second gastral tergite finely and densely superficially punctulate. Full adult colour brown.

Queen
HL 0.72, HW 0.57, HS 0.65, SL 0.51, PrW 0.45, WL 1.03, HFL 0.58, PeNL 0.16, PeH 0.37, PeNW 0.31, PeS 0.28, CI 79, SI 89, PeNI 68, LPeI 43, DPeI 193 (1 measured).

Characters as in worker, with modifications expected for caste and the following differences: Eyes with short setae projecting between the ommatidia. Impression on dorsum of head reaches the median ocellus. Punctulate sculpture more pronounced than her workers.

Type Material
Holotype. Worker. India: Karnataka, Gundlupet 11.8°N, 76.68°E, 800m a.s.l., 27.ix.2010, hand picking method (coll. Shahid A. Akbar). Paratypes: 2 workers and 1 gyne, same data as holotype; 3 workers, India, Arunachal Pradesh, Lumla, 2800m, 27.31°N, 91.43°E, 12.vi. 2012 (coll. Shahid A. Akbar). Holotype in and paratype in.

Etymology
The species is named after Dr. Chris A. Schmidt for his contributions to the subfamily Ponerinae.