Myrmoteras chondrogastrum

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Moffett (1985) - Similar to Myrmoteras donisthorpei, but the granulate sculpture on the gaster is unique to this species.

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

Nomenclature

 *  chondrogastrum. Myrmoteras (Myagroteras) chondrogastrum Moffett, 1985b: 39, figs. 31, 34 (w.q.) BORNEO.

Worker
Holotype: TL 5.3 (est.), HW 0.94, HL 1.00 (CI 94), ML unknown (tips broken), SL 1.12 (SI 119), EL 0.66, HFL 1.20 (TWI 19), WL 1.45 mm. Frontal sulcus a wide trench, somewhat wider than in M. donisthorpei (wider midway between epistomal suture and ocelli than diameter of median ocellus); orbital furrows conspicuous. Frontal area clearly defined. Palpal segmentation 5,4. Mandibles with tips broken, probably originally with 12 teeth and 2 preapical denticles, as in queen; condition of apical denticles unknown (in the queen each mandible has a single stout apical denticle). Dorsum of mandibles with a medial groove as in Myrmoteras morowali, but groove more feeble and extending only as far as fourth or fifth tooth from base.

Pronotum low and evenly convex; propodeum somewhat flattened dorsad, although feebly evenly convex, and with summit virtually level with mesonotum. In profile node of petiole with anterior and posterior faces straight, anterior face steep but not vertical, posterior face not as steep, curving more gently into summit; summit narrow. Middle and hind tibiae less dilated than in M. donisthorpei.

Head finely granulo-rugose, rugae between 0.01 to 0.02 mm across; posterior to median ocellus and beneath head smooth; smooth laterally except for fine vertical rugae near eyes. Frontal area and clypeus feebly granulate. Pronotum granulate, smoother laterally and with transverse rugae near neck; mesonotum with a ruga extending forward from each tubercle, very feebly granulo-rugose dorsally and longitudinally rugose laterally; dorsally propodeum with fine and very feeble transverse rugae, declivity and sides virtually smooth. Gaster very finely and irregularly granulate dorsally; laterally more feebly sculptured and smooth ventrad. Hair density moderate, with 25 hairs breaking dorsal margin of trunk when viewed in profile. Hairs short, rising 0.08 mm on head and 0.10 mm on trunk and gaster; two to five hairs on or near each metathoracic tubercle and six on node of petiole. Head orange; trunk, petiole, and mandibles orange yellow; gaster brownish orange; antennae yellowish orange; legs very light yellow.

Queen
Paratype: TL 5.6, HW 1.00, HL 1.03 (CI 97), ML 1.45 (MI 141), SL 1.15 (SI 116), EL 0.66, HFL 1.23 (TWI 18), WL 1.48 mm. Trunk dorsally with feeble granulate sculpture, tending towards longitudinally granulo-rugose medially on mesonotum; smooth laterally. Propodeum transversely rugose dorsally and obliquely rugose on sides, rugae ca. 0.15 mm apart; declivity smooth.

Type Material
Holotype. Worker deposited in from Borneo: Sarawak: 4th Division, Gunung Mulu National Park, v-viii.l978, no. 49 (P. M. Hammond and J. E. Marshall B. M. 1978). Single dealate queen, same date and collection number as holotype.

Etymology
The specific name derived from Gr. chondros + gaster, referring to the granulate sculpture on the gaster.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Agosti D. 1992. Revision of the ant genus Myrmoteras of the Malay Archipelago (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Rev. Suisse Zool. 99: 405-429.
 * Agosti, D. 1992. Revision of the ant genus Myrmoteras of the Malay Archipelago (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Rev. Suisse Zool. 99: 405-429
 * Moffett M.W. 1985. Revision of the genus Myrmoteras. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 151: 1-53.
 * Pfeiffer M., and D. Mezger. 2012. Biodiversity Assessment in Incomplete Inventories: Leaf Litter Ant Communities in Several Types of Bornean Rain Forest. PLoS ONE 7(7): e40729. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0040868
 * Pfeiffer M.; Mezger, D.; Hosoishi, S.; Bakhtiar, E. Y.; Kohout, R. J. 2011. The Formicidae of Borneo (Insecta: Hymenoptera): a preliminary species list. Asian Myrmecology 4:9-58
 * Zettel H., and Sorger, D. M. 2011. New Myrmoteras ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from the southeastern Philippines. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 59:61-67.