Anochetus werneri

Identification
Zettel (2012) - Large and slender species, TL 9.4 mm. Head slender, with deeply emarginated vertex; striation restricted to frons, medially and (here very weak) laterally of frontal carinae. Eye large, glabrous. Mandible very long, MdI = 82; shaft medianly with two weak edges, ventral one serrate, dorsal one smooth; intercalary tooth small, but distinct, located at distal third of ventral apical tooth. Antenna very long, SI 114. Pronotum and metanotum with longitudinal costulae; propodeum with transverse costulae. Petiole with very broad node in lateral aspect, its dorsal margin rounded in anterior aspect; peduncle short. Gaster tergite 1 with sparse, fine punctures. Whole dorsum with sparsely distributed, erect setae; setae on legs comparatively long.

Anochetus werneri belongs to the A. risii species group as defined by Brown (1978) where it is outstanding by large size (TL 9.4 mm), a very broad node of the petiole (lateral aspect) and a comparatively large intercalary tooth.

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

Nomenclature

 *  werneri. Anochetus werneri Zettel, 2012: 162, figs. 5, 20-23 (w.) PHILIPPINES (Mindanao I.).

Worker
Measurements of holotype: TL 9.40; HL 2.05; HW 1.83; CI 89; MdL 1.68; MdI 81; SL 2.09; SI 114; MsL 3.23; PnW 1.09; PtH 0.68; PtL 0.78; PtW 0.36.

Colour: Specimen having been stored in alcohol till 2010; light colour possibly being partly or entirely result of fading. Mesosoma dark brown, distinctly darker than other body parts. Head and mandibles reddish brown, centre of dorsum slightly darker. Petiole and gaster light reddish brown. Antennae and legs pale orange.

Structures: Head with strong ocular prominences and deeply emarginated vertex; striation restricted to frons, chiefly between frontal carinae, but reduced along midline. Eye large, almost reaching head sides laterally. Mandible very long, shaft slender, medial plane terminating in a small tooth, ventral edge of plane weakly serrate; intercalary tooth distinct, located at distal third of ventral apical tooth, and slightly larger than in related species. Antenna long and slender; scape strongly curved, distal part strongly narrowed; flagellum very slender, antennomeres 2 - 4 of subequal length, following antennomeres steadily but weakly increasing in length.

Mesosoma slender. Disc of pronotum with coarse costae, chiefly longitudinally orientated, but anteriorly circular, posteriorly slightly diverging. Mesonotum smooth, metanotum with longitudinal costae. Propodeum with 15 transverse costae, counted along midline. Sides of thorax almost entirely smooth and shiny, except for some weakly developed rugae near meso- and metacoxa.

Petiole with almost triangular node in lateral aspect, narrowly rounded apex, and short peduncle; sides of node with some weak rugae; in anterior aspect node distinctly compressed and its apex narrowly rounded. Gaster smooth and shiny except for sparse setae-bearing punctures.

Type Material
Holotype (worker, ) from the south of Mindanao Island, Davao Province, east slope of Mt. McKinley, ca. 1000 m a.s.l. (3,300 ft.), 29.VIII.1946, leg. F.G. Werner (# 31)

Etymology
This species is named for the memory of Dr. Floyd G. Werner, dedicated participant of the Philippine Zoological Expedition 1946 - 1947, who collected the type.