Meranoplus biliran

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Schödl (1998) - This easternmost species in the treated area is different from all other congeners by the very distinct shape of the dorsal alitrunk in addition to the micro-sculpturation of the gastral surface.

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

Nomenclature

 *  biliran. Meranoplus biliran Schödl, 1998: 374, figs. 14, 28, 31 (w.) PHILIPPINES.

Worker
Holotype: TL: 3.25, HL: 0.85, HW: 0.88, CI: 104 SL" 063 SI- 72. PML: 0.73, PW: 1.1, PMI: 152, AL: 0.83.

Paratypes: TL: 3.0 - 3.38, HL: 0.83 - 0.88, HW: 0.85 - 0.9, CI- 100 - 106 SL- 0.63 - 0.65, SI: 71 - 76, PML: 0.7 - 0.75, PW: 1.1 - 1.13, PMI: 147 - 155, AL: 0.83 - 0.88 (7 measured).

Mandibles striate, armed with four teeth. Mid-portion of clypeus distinctly rugulose- reticulate; anterior clypeal margin rather serrate than provided with a row of denticles. Frontal triangle reduced to a narrow, striate, arcuate furrow between posterior clypeal margin and anterior frontal margin. Sometimes a small triangle may be visible. Head above the antennal scrobes rectangular; posterior 4/5 almost parallel-sided, sides of head only anteriorly narrowed towards clypeus. Head ventrally to the antennal scrobes of similar shape, genae not protruding below the distinctly overhung antennal scrobes. Antennal scrobes shagreened throughout and posteriorly transversally striate, anterior- most glossy. Genae reticulate-rugulose. Compound eyes situated well behind middle of lateral sides of head. Maximum diameter of eye 0.17-0.19, with 14-15 ommatidia in the longest row.

Promesonotum rectangular, distinctly wider than long. Lateral margins of the promeso- notal shield foliaceous, distinctly overhanging sides of alitrunk; propodeum overhung by hind margin of mesonotum. Anterior corners of pronotum acutely retangular; the sides of the shield somewhat parallel-sided, sinuate and slightly constricted at about the level of the (invisible) promesonotal suture; at the same level with a small translucent fenestra on each side. Lateral mesonotal margins produced into acute, stout, posteriorly directed projections. Posterior corners of mesonotum with a blunt, stout spine on each side, pointing in a ca. 45 angle from the shield. Posterior margin of mesonotum sinuate, with paramedian blunt teeth. Lateral margins partly lamellate and translucent in that area. Declivity of propodeum shiny, with a faint shagreening, lateral sides above some- what reticulate; lateral, acute propodeal spines situated at about middle of propodeal length. A suture between dorsal alitrunk and propodeum is apparent on the declivity beneath posterior mesonotal margin, when viewed from behind.

Petiole tapered from base to crest, its anterior face without structure, the posterior face carinulate. Postpetiole nodiform. Caster dull, entire dorsum of first gastral tergite (and remainder of gaster) shagreened, if examined with higher magnification seen as a minute reticulum.

Dorsum of head, promesonotum and postpetiole evenly and rather densely reticulate- rugulose, width of meshes ca. 50 - 80 urn. Dorsal surfaces and appendages covered with whitish, stiff, erect (head) to suberect (alitrunk and gaster) pubescence. Pilosity consisting of shorter (ca. 150-200 urn) hairs, and longer, surpassing hairs (ca. 300 - 400 urn). Colour uniformly dark brown to piceous; translucent areas on sides of promesonotal shield brighter. Antennal scapes and tibiae markedly striate.

Differential diagnosis: This easternmost species in the treated area is different from all other congeners by the very distinct shape of the dorsal alitrunk in addition to the micro-sculpturation of the gastral surface.

Type Material
Holotype worker. "Biliran Is PI \ CF Baker collection 1927" ; paratypes: 8 workers: "Isl. Biliran Philippines Baker" (USNM,, , ). type locality: Biliran Island, Philippines.