Tetraponera pilosa

Habitats from which it has been recorded include second-growth rainforest, rainforest edge, “lower montane mixed dipterocarp forest”, and “rainforest along creek beds”. Colonies have been collected in dead twigs of Hevea brasiliensis, Vitex pubescens, Piper sp., and unidentifed vines and trees. (Ward 2001)

Identification
Ward (2001) - Tetraponera pilosa can be easily recognised by the features listed in the species-group diagnosis (next paragraph) and in the keys. In comparison with other Asian Tetraponera species, it shows relatively little variation in morphology.

The pilosa group contains a single, taxonomically isolated species whose workers are characterised by the presence of ocelli, large eyes (REL >0.40), subangulate humeri, shallow mesopropodeal impression, and dense punctate sculpture. The anteromedial lobe of the clypeus is poorly developed and standing pilosity is relatively sparse. Queens show the same traits (although the presence of ocelli is not discriminating since these are present in all Tetraponera queens). Males have very distinctive terminalia: the hypopygium is subrectangular in shape; the paramere bears a pair of digitiform lobes at its posterior end; and the aedeagus is subtriangular, with a row of fine teeth on the posteroventral margin.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Borneo, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines. Oriental Region: India, Nicobar Island, Thailand, Vietnam.

Nomenclature

 *  pilosa. Pseudomyrma pilosa Smith, F. 1858b: 160 (w.) BORNEO. Forel, 1915a: 23 (q.); Viehmeyer, 1916a: 117 (m.). Combination in Sima: Emery, 1887b: 449; in Tetraponera: Wheeler, W.M. 1919e: 65. Senior synonym of nicobarensis: Ward, 2001: 648.
 * nicobarensis. Sima nicobarensis Forel, 1903d: 402 (w.) INDIA (Nicobar Is). Combination in Tetraponera: Chapman & Capco, 1951: 80. Junior synonym of pilosa: Ward, 2001: 648.

Worker
Ward (2001) - HW 1.14-1.51, HL 1.28-1.70, LHT 0.93-1.31, CI 0.86-0.93, FCI 0.09-0.13, REL 0.43-0.49, REL2 0.49-0.56, SI 0.56-0.59, SI3 1.02-1.18, FI 0.43-0.49, PLI 0.48-0.53, PWI 0.45-0.52, PDI 1.01-1.08, LHT/HW 0.81-0.87, CSC 5-9, MSC 3-6.

Relatively large species, with broad head (CI >0.85); clypeus short, the anteromedial lobe broad, flat, and weakly developed; distance between frontal carinae less than or equal to maximum scape width; eyes large and prominent; ocelli present; profemur relatively robust (see FI values); pronotum with lateral margins well developed, and with humeri subangulate, when seen in dorsal view; mesopropodeal impression consisting of a short, transverse furrow, only moderately incised; propodeum slightly higher than wide, the dorsal face broad and flattened, and rounding gradually into the declivitous face; petiole as illustrated, long and low, with gently sloping anterodorsal and posterodorsal faces, and with prominent recurved anteroventral tooth; petiole about twice as long as broad; postpetiole as long as or slightly longer than broad; metabasitarsal sulcus present, lying in a thin strip of slightly darkened cuticle, occupying about 0.5-0.6x the length of the basitarsus. Head, mesosoma and petiole densely punctate to reticulopunctate, and subopaque; punctures becoming finer on postpetiole and gaster. Standing pilosity relatively sparse (see CSC and MSC values), absent from propodeum; short, appressed pubescence common on body, becoming denser posteriorly, and forming a thick mat on abdominal tergite IV Body dark brown, mandibles, antennae and apices of legs tending to be lighter medium-brown.

Type Material
Ward (2001) - Syntype (unique?), worker, “Borneo”.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

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