Hypoponera kashmirensis

This species is more hypogaeic, having been collected underneath a 6 cm deep soil cover. It marks the first record of Hypoponera from the Kashmir valley. (Bharti et al. 2015)

Identification
Bharti et al. (2015) - H. kashmirensis resembles Hypoponera assmuthi, but differs noticeably because the latter lacks the metanotal groove and mesonotal-mesopleural suture, characters present in H. kashmirensis.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India.

Nomenclature

 *  kashmirensis. Hypoponera kashmirensis Bharti, Akbar, Wachkoo & Singh, 2015: 44, figs. 22-24 (w.) INDIA.

Worker
(holotype in brackets): HL 0.56-(0.62), HW 0.45-(0.51), HS 0.51-(0.54), SL 0.37-(0.42), PrW 0.31-(0.35), WL 0.70-(0.82), HFL 0.34-(0.40), PeNL 0.17-(0.21), PeH 0.24- (0.28), PeNW 0.20-(0.25), PeS 0.20-(0.24), CI 80-(82), SI 77-(82), PeNI 64-(71), LPeI 70-(75), DPeI 117-(119) (5 measured).

Eyes absent. Apex of scape, when laid straight back from its insertion, distinctly fails to reach the midpoint of the posterior margin in full-face view; SI 77-82. Cephalic dorsum finely but distinctly reticulate-punctate. Mid-dorsal longitudinal impression on head terminates immediately behind the frontal lobes and does not extend to the midlength of the vertex or beyond. Pronotal dorsum almost smooth, with spaced minute, superficial punctures; obviously much less strongly and densely sculptured than cephalic dorsum. Latroventral surfaces of head with spaced minute punctures. Metanotal groove present on dorsum of mesosoma. Mesonotal-mesopleural suture present. Propodeal declivity rounds into the sides, without sharp marginations or carinae. Node of petiole in profile with the anterior and posterior faces distinctly convergent dorsally so that the node is broader just above the tubercle than at its apex. Subpetiolar process absent or a reduced elongate low lobe that terminates in a short ascending angle at about the midlength of the sternite with an acute ventral angle. Maximum width of first gastral tergite in dorsal view distinctly greater than the width of the second gastral tergite at its midlength. Base of cinctus of second gastral tergite glossy and polished, without trace of cross-ribs. Midline width of second gastral post-tergite, from posterior margin of cinctus to apex, is roughly 2x greater than the length of the segment at its midlength. Disc of second gastral tergite with superficial small punctures. First and second gastral tergites dorsally pubescent and with a number of short standing setae that project above the level of the pubescence in profile. Full adult colour light brownish yellow.

Type Material
Holotype. Worker. India: Jammu and Kashmir, Natipora Srinagar, 34.04°N, 74.81°E, 1585m a.s.l., 28.vi.2010, soil core (coll. Shahid A. Akbar). Paratypes: 1 worker, with same data as holotype; 4 workers, 21.v.2011 with same data as holotype. Holotype in and paratype in.

Etymology
The species is named after Kashmir valley.