Stictoponera fistulosa

This species is only known from type specimens.

Identification
This species can be confused with Stictoponera chapmani because of the similar size, subquadrate subpetiolar process, convex anterior margin of the clypeal lamella, and a blunt angle formed by the anterior and ventral pronotal margins in lateral view. The propodeal spiracle in S. chapmani is not elevated, as in S. fistulosa, and this can also be used to separate these two species.

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

Castes
Queens are males are unknown.

Nomenclature

 * . Gnamptogenys fistulosa Lattke, 2004: 193, fig. 53 (w.) PHILIPPINES (Luzon I.).
 * Type-material: holotype worker, 2 paratype workers.
 * Type-locality: holotype Philippines: Luzon, Lagunas, Mt Makiling, 250 m., 28.x.1966 (L.D. Uhler); paratypes with same data.
 * Type-depository: MCZC.
 * Combination in Stictoponera: Camacho, Franco, Branstetter, et al. 2022: 12.
 * Status as species: Camacho, Franco, Branstetter, et al. 2022: 12.
 * Distribution: Philippines (Luzon).

Description
Clypeus posteriorly with lateral irregular depressions, posteriorly mostly smooth with thin, longitudinal extension of relatively smooth cuticle; mesometapleuron and lateral propodeal surfaces mostly smooth, propodeal spiracle on rounded prominence above surrounding cuticle; petiolar dorsal margin evenly convex in lateral view.

Worker
Metrics: [Holotype] Paratypes (n = 2): HL [0.75] 0.81, 0.81; HW [0.59] 0.61, 0.60; ML [0.40] 0.35, 0.35; SL [0.51] 0.51, 0.51; ED [0.18] 0.20, 0.18; WL [1.09] 1.08, 1.05 mm. CI [0.79] 0.75, 0.74; SI [0.86] 0.83, 0.86; MI [0.67] 0.58, 0.59; OI [0.31] 0.33, 0.31. Head with broadly convex, semiparallel sides in frontal view, anterior clypeal margin convex; clypeus posteromedially mostly smooth, laterally enclosed by irregular depressions, smooth area tapering posteriorly, sometimes extending to frons, lamella with brief longitudinal strigulae; frons with foveolae arranged in irregular longitudinal rows; fine, longitudinal impressed line extends from posterior clypeal margin to just beyond frontal lobes; frontal lobe smooth and flat; mandible sharply convex basally, dorsally with elongate punctae; occipital lamella evenly convex in lateral view.

Pronotum with anterior and ventral margins meeting through blunt, obtuse angle in lateral view, ventral margin slightly sinuate, with sparse foveolae present on upper two-thirds, bottom third mostly smooth, brief longitudinal strigulae present on posterior margin; promesonotal suture vestigial; mesopleuron mostly smooth, anteroventral sulcus of katepisternum broad and deep, posteroventrally with several tightly grouped foveolae; mesopleural suture with transverse ridges; metapleuron and lateral propodeum mostly smooth, with few depressions or strigulae present; propodeal spiracular opening elevated on rounded prominence, dorsal propodeal margin meets declivity through blunt angle in lateral view, declivitous margin broadly convex.

Mesosomal and petiolar dorsum mostly smooth, sparsely foveolate, most foveolae situated laterally and along anterior pronotal margin; petiolar node with evenly convex dorsal margin in lateral view, ventral process subquadrate; postpetiolar sternite mostly broadly convex to almost straight in lateral view, convex ventrad of anterior process, abruptly convex at posterior margin; postpetiolar dorsum mostly smooth with sparse foveolae, most foveolae anterolaterally situated. Abdominal tergite 4 with sparse punctae anterolaterally, dorsum mostly smooth with few punctulae. Fore coxa laterally mostly smooth. Dorsum of thorax and abdominal segments 1-4 with scattered erect to subdecumbent hairs. Body light brown, extremities ferruginous.

Type Material
Holotype worker. Philippines, Luzon, Lagunas, Mt. Makiling, 250m, 28-x-1966, L.D. Uhler. Deposited in. Paratypes. Two workers from the same nest series as the holotype, deposited in.

Etymology
The species name is derived from the Latin adjective, fistulosus, “full of holes,” and alludes to the foveolate sculpturing.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Lattke J. E. 2004. A taxonomic revision and phylogenetic analysis of the ant genus Gnamptogenys Roger in Southeast Asia and Australasia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ponerinae). University of California Publications in Entomology 122: 1-266.
 * Lattke, J.E. 2004. A taxonomic revision and phylogenetic analysis of the ant Gnamptogenys Roger in Southeast Asia and Australasia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ponerinae). University of California Publications in Entomology 122: 1-266