Holcoponera epinotalis

E.O. Wilson collected this species from irregular soil galleries under a stone.

Identification
Lattke (2004) - Gnamptogenys epinotalis and Gnamptogenys luzonensis are both among the smallest Gnamptogenys, but G. epinotalis has a metanotal sulcus that is lacking in G. luzonensis. The propodeum of G. luzonensis may have partially effaced sculpture, but longitudinal strigulae and foveolae are usually present. Sutures around the katepisternum in G. luzonenis, and most other species of the epinotalis group, tend to be wider and deeper compared with other Old World Gnamptogenys clades and with a slight elevation of the katepisternum over the anepisternum and metapleuron. The petiolar node in G. epinotalis seems to be more bluntly convex in shape than in other species of the epinotalis group. The dense layer of short hairs on the body is rare for Old World Gnamptogenys, though Gnamptogenys sila almost approaches the condition in G. epinotalis.

Distribution
Only known from New Guinea

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Papua New Guinea.

Castes
Males are unknown.

Nomenclature

 *  epinotalis. Rhopalopone epinotalis Emery, 1897d: 550 (w.q.) NEW GUINEA. [Also described as new by Emery, 1900c: 311.] Combination in Gnamptogenys: Brown, 1958g: 228. See also: Lattke, 2004: 167.

Lattke (2004) - General color yellowish brown. Mesosoma with abundant short, erect standing hairs in lateral view; metanotal sulcus present; sutures surrounding katepisternum narrow and fine; katepisternum, lateral propodeal face, and most of metapleuron with fine, longitudinal, parallel carinulae; metapleuron mostly longitudinally striate to costulate; propodeal declivity mostly smooth with sparse punctae and posterolateral low rounded lobes. Petiolar node with bluntly convex dorsal margin in lateral view.

Worker
Lattke (2004) - Metrics (n = 3): HL 0.50-0.58, HW 0.41-0.45, ML 0.24-0.25, SL 0.33-0.41, ED 0.04-0.04, WL 0.62-0.76 mm. CI 0.78-0.82, SI 0.80-0.91, MI 0.54-0.59, OI 0.09-0.09. Head with subparallel lateral margins in frontal view, anterior margin of clypeus generally convex, lamella bluntly angular laterally with slight median convex projection; clypeus longitudinally strigulose with median longitudinal smooth area. Pronotum densely punctate along dorsal half in lateral view, ventral half mostly smooth with sparse punctae and brief longitudinal strigulae present along posterior margin; pronotal dorsum with rugulae arching around anterior margin, medially longitudinal; anepisternum longitudinally strigulose anterad, posterad mostly smooth; katepisternum strigulose, not significantly elevated over surrounding cuticle, circumscribing sutures very fine; metapleuron mostly longitudinally striate to costulate; mesosoma with very broadly convex to almost flat dorsal margin in lateral view, metanotal sulcus well impressed and scrobiculate; mesosomal dorsum posterad of mesonotum medially mostly smooth, laterally and toward posterior propodeum strigulose-punctate; dorsal propodeal margin meeting declivitous margin through convexity, becoming relatively straight afterward at spiracular height; lateral propodeal face strigulose-punctate, propodeal declivity mostly smooth with sparse punctae and posterolateral low rounded lobes. Petiolar node with flat dorsal margin in lateral view; postpetiole laterally densely punctate, sternite strigulose-punctate, posteriorly thinning out somewhat; abdominal tergite 4 laterally punctulate, punctulae becoming less dense posterad, sternite smooth with some punctae. Dorsum of thorax, and abdominal segments 1-4 with dense mat of short, erect standing hairs, besides longer, scattered erect to subdecumbent hairs. Coloration yellowish brown.

Queen
Lattke (2004) - Metrics (n = 1): HL 0.60, HW 0.48, ML 0.26, SL 0.42, ED 0.13, WL 0.83 mm. CI 0.79, SI 0.88, MI 0.56, OI 0.28. Pronotum laterally punctate, mostly smooth posterad; mesometapleuron longitudinally strigulose; mesoscutum with longitudinal, parallel strigulae and rows of punctae especially laterally; scutellum mostly smooth medially, laterally strigulose, axillae strigulose-punctate; lateral propodeal face strigulose-punctate; propodeal declivity mostly smooth with some transverse strigulae medially.

Type Material
Lattke (2004) - Syntype workers, queen: New Guinea, Paumomu River (Loria) (MCSN) [Examined].