Hypoponera tristis

Only known from a few collections, nothing is known about the biology of Hypoponera tristis.

Identification
A member of the abeillei group. Very similar to Hypoponera segnis. See the nomenclature sections of segnis and Hypoponera dema for diagnostic characters.

Key to Afrotropical and West Palaearctic Hypoponera

Distribution
Known from Rwanda and Uganda.

This taxon was described from Rwanda.

Nomenclature

 *  tristis. Hypoponera tristis Bolton & Fisher, 2011: 110, figs. 124-126 (w.) RWANDA.

Worker
(holotype in parentheses). Measurements: HL 0.67–0.79 (0.79), HW 0.54–0.60 (0.59), HS 0.615–0.695 (0.690), SL 0.46–0.56 (0.55), PrW 0.42–0.46 (0.46), WL 0.95–1.08 (1.03), HFL 0.48–0.58 (0.58), PeNL 0.21–0.24 (0.22), PeH 0.44–0.49 (0.48), PeNW 0.34–0.38 (0.36), PeS 0.340–0.367 (0.353) (10 measured). Indices: CI 75–80 (75), SI 88–93 (93), PeNI 77–85 (78), LPeI 46–50 (46), DPeI 152–170 (164).

Answers the description of Hypoponera segnis in all respects except for relative size of petiole. In segnis the petiole node is absolutely and relatively shorter in profile, PeNL 0.17–0.20 and LPeI 35–43, and is distinctly broader in dorsal view, with DPeI 180–211.

Type Material
Holotype worker (top specimen of three on pin), Rwanda: Kayove, 2100 m., 15.v.1973 (P. Werner).

Paratypes. 8 workers with same data as holotype (MHNG,, ).