Stenamma wilsoni

The type material was collected from a rotten log from an open woodland on the slope of a hill.

Identification
Bharti et al. (2012) - This species has a very distinct sculpture of head and mesosoma, differs from others in the genus by the shape and size of propodeal plates, in propodeal spines and petiole. Due to petiolar node as long as its anterior peduncle and scape not reaching to the occipital corners, this species can be easily separated from Stenamma kashmirense (the only species reported from Indian Himalaya hitherto). However Stenamma wilsoni is somewhat allied to Stenamma jeriorum and Stenamma lippulum but can be easily separated from former by parallel sides of head and propodeal spines as long as are the propodeal plates, whereas lateral sides of head are strongly convex in Stenamma jeriorum and propodeal spines shorter than propodeal plates. From Stenamma lippulum this new species is considerably distinct on the basis of the sculpture of head, where the rugae make concentric loop like structures above eyes, whereas in this new species sculpture of head is retirugose.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India, India.

Nomenclature

 *  wilsoni. Stenamma wilsoni Bharti, Gul & Sharma, 2012: 6, figs. 4-6 (w.) INDIA.

Worker
TL 3.58-3.72(3.61); HL 0.78-0.83(0.78); HW 0.66-0.71(0.66); SL 0.58-0.62(0.58); PW 0.42-0.46(0.42); ML 0.98-1.04(0.98); ED 0.07-0.08(0.07); PL 0.40(0.40); PH 0.21-0.22(0.22); DPW 0.14-0.15(0.14); PPL 0.27-0.30(0.27); PPH 0.21-0.22(0.21); PPW 0.21- 0.23(0.21); GL 1.11-1.18(1.18); CI 84.62-86.25(84.62); SI 86.96-87.9(87.9); PI 181.82-190.5(190.5); PPI 73.33-77.78(77.78) (4 individuals measured)

Head: Head distinctly rectangular, longer than broad in full face view; occipital margin straight; occipital corners less distinct, moderately round; lateral sides almost parallel; anterior clypeal margin convex, slightly concave in the middle; eyes small, with 5 facets in their greatest diameters, located below the mid points of the lateral sides of head; mandibles triangular, the masticatory border with 3 prominent apical teeth, and 5 less distinct basal teeth; antennae short, 12-segmented, scape stout, falling short by about 1/6 of its length to reach the occipital corners, club 4-segemented.

Mesosoma, Petiole and Postpetiole: In profile view promesonotum high and convex nearly arched, promesonotal suture less distinct; mesometanotum suture well marked making a wide groove; propodeum distinctly lower than promesonotum, convex from side to side, forms a gentle slope towards apex; propodeal spines short, as long as 1/3 the range of their bases; propodeal plates broad, as long as is the length of propodeal spines, posterodorsal corner bluntly angled, posteroventral corner rounded; petiole long, petiolar node approximately as long as anterior peduncle, anteroventral face slightly convex, posterioventral face slightly depressed, anteroventral corner of petiole bluntly angled; postpetiolar dorsum round, ventral face weakly concave, anteroventral corner slightly extruding, tooth like.

Gaster: Gaster ovate, smooth and shining all over.

Sculpture: Head retirugose, except longitudinal irregular rugae below eyes and rugae in between the frontal carinae which run to the occiput; mandibles with less distinct striations; clypeus smooth; promesonotal dorsum rugose, rugae sparse, the central rugae longitudinal, sides of pronotum with indistinct rugae; propodeum and sides of mesonotum retirugose; propodeal declivity smooth; dorsum of petiolar peduncle smooth without longitudinal carina; petiole and postpetiole interweaved with fine, less distinct longitudinal rugae; gaster smooth and shining except a few short rugae at base.

Pilosity: Body clothed with suberect to erect hairs, more abundant on head and gaster; on mesosomal surface hairs erect, sparse and scattered; shorter subdecumbent hairs on antennae and legs; decumbent pubescence on antennae and legs, more dense on antennal funiculus.

Color: Head, mesosoma, petiole, postpetiole and middle of gaster reddish brown; mandibles, antennae, legs, and remaining part of gaster yellowish brown; eyes black; pilosity yellowish white.

Type Material
Holotype worker: India, Himachal Pradesh, Reckongpeo, 31.540432N, 78.272352E, 2050m above msl, 02.ix.2008, hand picking. Paratypes; 3 workers, same data as holotype (coll. Irfan Gul and Yash Paul Sharma). Depository:, Punjabi University Patiala Ant Collection, Patiala, India.

Etymology
The species is named in the honour of Prof. E. O. Wilson.