Tetraponera nodosa

Tetraponera nodosa is known from three disparate locations, in Thailand, Sarawak (Malaysia) and Sumatra (Indonesia). The type material from Bako Nat. Pk, Sarawak was collected in mangrove. (Ward 2001)

Identification
Ward (2001) - This species is similar to Tetraponera nitida but differs from that species by the larger size, better developed median clypeal lobe, more widely separated frontal carinae, more globose petiolar node, denser body sculpture, and presence of a thick mat of appressed pubescence on the postpetiole and gaster.

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

Nomenclature

 *  nodosa. Tetraponera nodosa Ward, 2001: 639, figs. 75, 83 (w.) BORNEO.

Worker
HW 0.83-0.94, HL 0.98-1.14, LHT 0.64-0.70, CI 0.83-0.85, FCI 0.15-0.16, REL 0.44-0.47, REL2 0.54-0.56, SI 0.49-0.53, SI3 0.91-0.94, FI 0.49-0.53, PLI 0.60-0.71, PWI 0.48-0.54, PDI 1.01-1.05, LHT/HW 0.74-0.77, CSC 4, MSC2.

Medium-sized species, with relatively broad head (CI >0.80); anterior clypeal margin broadly convex, its medial portion in a more anterior position than the anterolateral margins; frontal carinae well separated, the distance between them notably greater than maximum scape width; eye large, its length greater than that of the scape; profemur relatively short and robust; lateral pronotal margins well developed; mesopropodeal impression very short, consisting of a transverse, pit-shaped depression, with longitudinal carinulae or rugulae; propodeum about as high as wide, with a somewhat flattened dorsal face that rounds rather suddenly into the declivitous face; petiole as illustrated, with a short anterior peduncle and prominent posteroventral teeth; petiolar node rounded and approximately symmetrical in profile (anterior and posterior faces meeting the summit at about the same angle); metabasitarsal sulcus associated with a darkened ridge and occupying about three-fifths the length of the segment. Integument essentially smooth and shiny, overlain by numerous fine punctures; punctures on upper half of head mostly ≤0.010 mm in diameter, and separated by several diameters; punctures larger and denser on anterior quarter of pronotum, on mesonotum and on dorsal face of propodeum; lower malar area also with coarser punctures, intermixed with weak longitudinal rugulae. Standing pilosity sparse, scattered on gaster, venter and apex of head, and on following dorsal surfaces: two pairs on posterior third of head (near inner margin of eye), one pair on the pronotum, 4-6 short hairs on petiole, and 8-10 short hairs on postpetiole; 2-3 standing hairs also present on scape and on posterior face of profemur; shorter appressed pubescence present but inconspicuous on head and most of mesosoma, moderately common on petiole, and forming a dense mat on postpetiole and gaster, which obscures the sheen of the integument. Black, with mandibles, antennae, tarsi and tibiae dark brown to medium brown (protibia and protarsus lightest).

Type Material
Holotype. Worker, Bako Nat! Pk, Sarawak, Malaysia, 21-22.iv.l993 (S. Yamane). Paratype. 1 worker, same data as holotype (KUES).