Ponera sikkimensis

Known only from the type material that was collected from leaf litter.

Identification
Bharti and Rilta (2015) - Ponera sikkimensis is somewhat similar to Ponera longlina described from China. It can be distinguished from the latter by the following combination of characters: head roughly oval in shape; mandible with five well-developed teeth, eyes with 3-4 indistinct facets; fenestra in subpetiolar process oval in shape; propodeum and petiole with stronger punctures; petiolar node relatively low and narrow. In Ponera longlina the head is roughly square in shape; mandibles each with three well-developed teeth at the apical margin followed by small denticles; eyes with single facet; fenestra in subpetiolar process circular in shape; propodeum and petiole smooth; petiolar node higher and relatively broad.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India.

Nomenclature

 *  sikkimensis. Ponera sikkimensis Bharti & Rilta, 2015: 11, figs. 1-3 (w.) INDIA.

Worker
HL 0.42; HW 0.39; HS 0.40; SL 0.30; PrW 0.25; WL 0.52; PH 0.23; PL 0.17; PW 0.18; CI 92.85; SI 76.92; PNI 72; LPI 74; DPI 105.89.

Head: roughly oval in shape, distinctly longer than broad, sides convex, occipital margin concave, occipital corners rounded. Mandibles each with five well-developed teeth, Eyes small, composed of 3-4 indistinct facets. Anterior margin of clypeus concave. Apex of scape does not reach the midpoint of the occipital margin when laid straight back from its insertion in full-face view; funiculus incrassate toward apex; antennal club with four segments.

Mesosoma and petiole: In lateral view dorsum of mesosoma weakly convex, in dorsal view promesonotal suture distinct; metanotal groove indistinct. Dorsum of propodeum about as long as declivity, declivity flat, posterodorsal corner rounded. Petiole broader than long in dorsal view, dorsal face convex, in profile view, anterior and posterior faces straight, in dorsal view node roughly semicircular, anterior and lateral borders forming a single arc, posterior border weakly concave. Subpetiolar process with oval fenestra, anteroventral corner blunt, posteroventrally with enlarged teeth.

Gaster: Cinctus of second gastral tergite with cross ribs.

Sculpture: Head, mesosoma and gaster sparsely punctate, Petiolar dorsum more strongly punctate; propodeal declivity, posterior face of petiole and gastral apex smooth and shining. Mandibles shining with scattered punctures.

Pilosity: Dorsum of head, mesosoma, petiole and gaster with dense decument pubescence. Erect hairs present on anterior portion of head and posterior half of gaster.

Colour: Head brownish and dull; rest of body light brown and shining; mandibles, antennae and legs yellow.

Type Material
India, Sikkim: Phadamchen, 27°12.75'N, 88°37.22'E, 1040 m, leaf litter, Winkler, 30 May 2012, Joginder Singh leg. Holotype worker and two paratype workers with same data as of holotype.

Etymology
This species is named after the state of Sikkim.