Ponera sinensis

Known from only two collections.

Identification
Taylor (1967) - The nominate species of the sinensis group, which also includes the similar and closely related Ponera oreas. P. sinensis may be distinguished from oreas by the following characters:

1. Larger size (head width 0.54 mm, opposed to 0.47-0. 5 1 mm in areas)

2. Narrower head (cephalic index 89 against 92-95).

3. Slightly higher scape index (83; 78-81 in areas)

4. Antennal club indistinctly 5-segmented, where it is 4-s.egmented in areas.

5. The 3 apical mandibular teeth occupy only the anterior 2/5 of masticatory border; no posterior denticles delimitated (this is possibly an artifact due to wear since the apical teeth look well worn on the holotype!).

6. Cephalic sculpturation consisting of a close cover of punctures about 0.006 mm in diameter, separated by distances of about 1/2 their average diameter. In areas the head is distinctly more dull, with sculpturation best described as ‘shagreening.’ It consists of similarly sized punctures, but they are almost contiguous, with very little exposed interpunctural surface. Remaining sculpturation similar in 2 species, except that most areas workers have a shining, almost apunctate, median posterior strip on the propodeal dorsum; this area is evenly punctate in sinensis.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: Taiwan. Palaearctic Region: China.

Biology
Pierce et al. (2019): To the best of our knowledge, the only confirmed specimen of P. sinensis from Hong Kong is the holotype, collected by Professor F. Silvestri from an unknown location, and described by Wheeler (1928). Despite numerous faunal studies in Hong Kong over recent years, no further specimens of P. sinensis have been identified. On the contrary, the vast majority of Ponera specimens collected from Hong Kong represent the newly recorded Ponera guangxiensis. Whether this represents an underlying ecological change or simply an artifact of sampling remains unclear, and future sampling in Hong Kong may yield new specimens of P. sinensis.

Nomenclature

 *  sinensis. Ponera sinensis Wheeler, W.M. 1928c: 6 (w.) CHINA (Hong Kong). See also: Taylor, 1967a: 53.

Worker
Taylor (1967) - My measurements of the holotype differ slightly from Wilson's: HL 0.61 mm; HW 0.54 mm; SL 0.45 mm; CI 89; SI 83; PW 0.41 mm; PNL 0.20 mm; PH 0.39 mm; DPW 0.35 mm; PNI 85. Note that certain characters given (see the identification section above) contradict those of Wheeler's description, which is inaccurate in places. The eyes of the holotype are not one-faceted as he claimed, but the visible left one, at least, has 4 fairly distinct facets. The oral palpi have not been dissected.