Tetraponera apiculata

The type specimens were collected at a forested site in the Danum Valley, Sabah.

Identification
A member of the Tetraponera allaborans species-group

Ward (2001) - Tetraponera apiculata is at once recognised by the distinctive shape of the median clypeal lobe. It belongs to a group of species in which the pronotum is broadly rounded (not marginate) laterally, the mesosoma dorsum has a metanotal welt, and the pro femur is short and broad. It differs from the other species with these characteristics (Tetraponera avia, Tetraponera bita, Tetraponera brevis) by the protruding pointed clypeus, narrower petiole, and perhaps by the slightly smaller eyes (EL/LHT 0.51-0.53, compared with 0.56-0.58 in the other three species; n = 3 and 7 workers, respectively).

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

Nomenclature

 *  apiculata. Tetraponera apiculata Ward, 2001: 608, figs. 9, 20, 46 (w.) BORNEO.

Worker
HW 0.80-0.82, HL 0.95-1.01, LHT 0.68-0.71, CI 0.82-0.84, FCI 0.10-0.11, REL 0.36-0.37, REL2 0.44-0.45, SI 0.60-0.61, SI3 1.34-1.37, FI 0.46-0.47, PLI 0.51-0.53, PWI 0.40-0.43, PDI 0.97-1.02, LHT/HW 0.84-0.88, CSC 2, MSC 3--4.

Median clypeal lobe narrow and triangular, the slightly crenulate sides converging to a blunt point, the apex of which exceeds the reach of the anterolateral margins of the clypeus, when head is in full-face, dorsal view; eyes of modest size (see indices); profemur short and broad (FI >0.45); pronotal dorsum rounding broadly into the sides; mesopropodeal impression with irregular longitudinal rugulation, interrupted in the middle by a small, raised, transverse welt (apparent metanotum); propodeum relatively low and broad (see PDI values), in profile its dorsal face rounding gradually into the declivitous face; in posterior view outline of propodeum approximating an equilateral triangle, with rounded apex; petiole relatively long and narrow (PWI 0.40-0.43; DPW/MTW 0.61-0.64). Integument smooth and shining, with scattered punctulae and fine, irregular lineations; lower malar area longitudinally carinate; metapleuron with a few weak, longitudinal carinulae. Standing pilosity (>0.07 mm in length) sparse, scattered on gaster and apex of head, also one supraocular pair, two pairs on the pronotum, and one pair on the postpetiole; a much shorter ( <0.05 mm), less conspicuous, subdecumbent pilosity scattered over the body, becoming suberect to erect in places, especially on the petiole and postpetiole; these shorter hairs usually separated by their lengths or more, and not obscuring the sheen of the integument. Black, with the scapes, frontoclypeal complex, mandibles and legs dark brown to medium brown.

Type Material
Holotype. Worker, Danum Valley, Sabah, Malaysia, xi.l986 (P. Eggleton). Paratypes. 2 workers, same data as holotype.