Technomyrmex modiglianii

T. modiglianii is most frequently collected from tree trunks and canopy although some records of workers on rotten logs are known. Worker-queen intercastes have not been recorded in this species. (Bolton 2007) Heterick & Kitching (2022) collected this species in the canopy of a lowland dipterocarp forest in Brunei.

Identification
Bolton (2007) - A member of the T. modiglianii complex in the Technomyrmex albipes group. This size-variable species is close to Technomyrmex elatior but in that species the dorsum of the head does not have any setae present between the level of the posterior margin of the eye and the posterior margin of the head. Also, the setae on the first gastral tergite are always much shorter than the maximum diameter of the eye in elatior series from Laos has gastral setae that are shorter than usual for modiglianii, but even here they are distinctly longer than in elatior.

Another close relative is the poorly known Technomyrmex yamanei, from North Thailand and Vietnam, but this is easily separated from both modiglianii and elatior by its presence of setae at the posterior margin of the head, deeply U-shaped median clypeal incision that meets the anterior clypeal margin in a sharp angle on each side and extremely short and sparse gastral setae.

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

Nomenclature

 *  modiglianii. Technomyrmex modiglianii Emery, 1900d: 696, fig. 12 (w.) INDONESIA (Sumatra). Senior synonym of javanus: Bolton, 2007a: 92.
 * javanus. Technomyrmex modiglianii r. javanus Forel, 1905c: 23 (w.) INDONESIA (Java). [Unresolved junior secondary homonym of javanum Forel, above.] Junior synonym of modiglianii: Bolton, 2007a: 92.

Worker
Bolton (2007) - TL 2.5 - 3.8, HL 0.67 - 0.96, HW 0.65 - 0.96, SL 0.60 - 0.74, PW 0.38 - 0.57, WL 0.82 -1.08 (20 measured). Indices: CI 95 - 103, SI 77 - 95, OI 19 - 24, EPI 54 - 66, DTI 116 -133.

Frontal carina with 2 (very rarely 3) setae: in profile the posteriormost at about the level of the anterior margin of the eye. Dorsum of head above the eye with 0 - 2 pairs of setae; if present (usually only in largest workers) these setae are much shorter than those on the frontal carinae. Behind level of posterior margin of eye a single pair of dorsal setae present, in profile located about two-thirds the distance to the posterior margin of the head. With head in full-face view the anterior clypeal margin with a conspicuous median notch; inner margin of notch rounds into the anterior clypeal margin without an acute angle or tooth. Posterior margin of head broadly and strongly emarginate. As worker size Increases the sides of the head become more strongly convex, the clypeal notch becomes more pronounced and the posterior emargination becomes deeper and more extensive. Eyes small and locate well in front of the midlength, the outer margins of the eyes are set well in from the outline of the sides in full-face view. With mesosoma in profile the mesonotal outline is evenly curved, without a distinct step or angle in the outline that defines conspicuous dorsal and declivitous faces. Propodeal dorsum short, in profile the straight-line length of the dorsum less than the depth of the declivity to the spiracle; dorsum and declivity meet in an angle. Number of setal pairs on mesosoma: pronotum 2 - 5; mesonotum 1 - 4; propodeal dorsum 0; lateral margins of propodeal declivity 2 - 3. Gastral tergites 1 – 4 each with numerous setae all over the sclerites, the longest of which on the first gastral tergite are equal to, or only fractionally shorter than, the maximum diameter of the eye. Head, mesosoma, petiole and gaster brown to dark brown; leg segments approximately the same shade of brown or slightly lighter, except for the trochanters and tarsi which are dull yellow to yellowish brown.

Type Material
Bolton (2007) - Syntype workers, Indonesia, Sumatra, D. Tolong and Balighe (E. Modigliani) [examined].

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

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