Stictoponera taivanensis

Identification
Lattke (2004) - The only known Gnamptogenys from Taiwan, G. taivanensis could be confused with the following mainland species: Gnamptogenys panda, although this species has very distinctly angular occipital lobes, and Gnamptogenys sichuanensis, whose distinct occipital lobes form a convex, translucent lamella and whose postpetiolar dorsum has arching strigulae. Neither of these two species have propodeal denticles. Additional specimens of G. taivanensis were generously made available by Dr. Wu Wen-jer and Dr. C. Lien.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: Taiwan.

Castes
Queen and male are unknown.

Nomenclature

 *  taivanensis. Stictoponera taivanensis Wheeler, W.M. 1929g: 32 (w.) TAIWAN. Combination in Gnamptogenys: Brown, 1958g: 229. See also: Lattke, 2004: 224.

Lattke (2004) - Head lacking occipital lamella. Propodeal denticle present; postpetiolar dorsum with anterior strigae, fading posterad to mostly smooth punctate surface with scalloped ridges anterad of each puncture. Dorsum of second gastric segment mostly smooth, with punctae and occasional traces of longitudinal striae.

Worker
Lattke (2004) - Metrics (n = 4): HL 1.25-1.32, HW 1.05-1.12, ML 0.60-0.63, SL 0.98-1.08, ED 0.11-0.17, WL 1.67-1.80 mm. CI 0.81-0.84, SI 0.93-0.99, MI 0.56-0.60, OI 0.10-0.15. Head with anterior clypeal margin bluntly angular medially in frontal view, frons rugose-punctate, except for median longitudinal strigulae; clypeus longitudinally carinulate, with median shallow sulcus. Pronotum laterally strigose, humeral area angular, without raised crest; mesosomal dorsum mostly rugosepunctate, with longitudinal strigulae on median promesonotum; promesonotal suture distinct; meso- and metapleuron longitudinally strigose; propodeum laterally rugose-punctate; with short triangular denticles, propodeal declivity with transverse strigulae. Mesosoma in lateral view with convex dorsal margin, pronotum slightly higher than rest of mesosoma.

Petiole rugose-punctate; subpetiolar process triangular, broad; postpetiolar dorsum anteriorly strigose, fading posterad to mostly smooth, surface punctate with ridges around anterior edge of punctae, scalloped aspect, laterally reticulate-rugose; postpetiolar process forms two contiguous blunt angles with brief median carina that extends posteriorly in ventral view; postpetiolar sternite punctate, with low rugosity; fourth abdominal segment dorsum mostly smooth, punctate, with occasional traces of longitudinal striae. Fore coxa transversely strigulose in lateral view; metacoxal tooth triangular, low; base of fore tarsus with row of stout setae. Dorsum of thorax and abdominal segments 1-4 with abundant erect to subdecumbent golden hairs. Body mostly ferruginous brown; antennae, legs, mandible lighter.

Type Material
Lattke (2004) - Holotype worker by monotypy: Taiwan, Funkiko (Silvestri) [Examined].

The examined type specimen bears a MCZ Cotype 20419 label, even though Wheeler (1929) explicitly stated the description was based on a single specimen. The original description fails to mention Silvestri as the collector. The type is a bit tattered, with many broken and appressed hairs, lacking a foreleg, several tarsi, and part of an antenna. The locality that figures on the type specimen label, Funkiko, is a Japanese name for Fen-chi-hu, which may also be spelled Fen-ch'i-hu. Unfortunately there are ten records for this name from Taiwan in the GEONet database.