Tetraponera avia

The holotype was collected on twigs at 12-15 m height. A putative queen from Ulu Gombak was collected in a twig internode of Gigantochloa scortechinii.

Identification
A member of the Tetraponera allaborans species-group

Ward (2001) - This appears to be a taxonomically isolated species in the allaborans-group, easily distinguished from Tetraponera allaborans and relatives by the weakly convex and non-protruding median portion of the clypeus, by the laterally rounded pronotum, and by the presence of a metanotal welt. Among species possessing the last two characteristics, T. avia can be recognised by its broad head, large eyes, edentate clypeus, slender petiole, and carinulate sculpture on the mesopleuron and metapleuron.

Distribution
Known definitely only from Pasoh Forest Reserve, Malaysia, a lowland rainforest site.

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

Nomenclature

 *  avia. Tetraponera avia Ward, 2001: 608, figs. 10, 21, 44, 45 (w.q.) WEST MALAYSIA.

An isolated alate queen from Ulu Gombak, Selangor, Malaysia (A. Schellerich #17.3.3) (PSWC) might belong to this species. It is a member of the allaborans-group, with a large and relatively broad head (HW 1.07, CI 0.83), edentate and medially retracted clypeus, laterally rounded pronotum, and carinulate pleura.

Worker
HW 0.82, HL 0.89, LHT 0.66, CI 0.92, FCI 0.10, REL 0.42, REL2 0.45, SI 0.60, SI3 1.32, FI 0.44, PLI 0.51, PWI 0.43, PDI 1.04, LHT/HW 0.81, CSC 3, MSC 2.

Anterior clypeal margin weakly convex medially, edentate, and non-protruding, the anterior-most point of the clypeus occurring at the lateral corners, not medially; head broad (CI 0.92), with large eyes; profemur moderately robust; pronotum not laterally margined, and in posterior view the dorsal surface of the pronotum rounding very broadly into the sides; a small but distinct, raised metanotal welt present, followed by a longitudinally rugulate metanotal groove and also preceded by a similar transverse groove or impression; propodeum relatively low and broad, in profile the dorsal face rounding insensibly into the declivitous face; petiole slender (see petiolar indices). Integument mostly smooth and shining, with fine, irregular lineations; lower malar area longitudinally carinate; mesopleuron and metapleuron covered with fine, longitudinal carinulae. Excepting hairs on the clypeal margin, mandibles, and gastric apex, long (>0.1 0 mm) erect setae sparse, distributed as follows: one pair on the frontal carinae, one supraocular pair plus one extra seta on left side, one pair on the pronotal humeri, and about 6-8 setae on abdominal segments 4 and 5; a less conspicuous subdecumbent to suberect pilosity (with most hairs <0.05 mm long) scattered over the body. Black, mandibles and other appendages dark to medium brown.

Type Material
Holotype. Worker, Pasoh Forest Reserve, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, 16.ii.l992 (Rosciszewski FN 1442).