Brachyponera obscurans (Walker, 1859)

Fig. 27 A – D

Formica obscurans Walker, 1859: 372 (q.) Sri Lanka.

Type material.

type worker, Primary type locality: Sri Lanka (Ceylon). (images of a syntype worker, CASENT 0902495 available on AntWeb were examined) .

Measurements and indices.

Worker (Fig. 26 A – D): HL 0.86, HLL 0.79, HLA 0.10, HW 0.80, ML 0.50, CML 0.14, CI 93, SL 0.80, SI 99, ED 0.16, PrL 0.62, PrH 0.52, PrW 0.56, WL 1.37, TL 4.1, PL 0.30, PH 0.48, DPW 0.48, LPI 159, PDPI 158.

Diagnosis.

The species can be separated from other Chinese members of the genus based on the combination of the following characters: smaller species, <4.5 mm in total body length; head width <0.9 mm; flagellar segments 1 and 2 each as long as broad, or broader than long; dorsum of propodeum nearly straight, longer than declivity, posterodorsal corner of propodeum broadly rounded; upper part of propodeum with densely sub-decumbent hairs; in dorsal view, petiolar node flat oval; body color usually yellowish brown to tan.

Brief description.

In full-face view, head longer than broad, roughly trapezoidal, posterolateral corners of head narrowly rounded. Mandible triangular with nine teeth. Antennae 12 - segmented, scape exceeds posterolateral corner, flagellar segments gradually increase in size toward the end. Eye medium in size and located in front of lateral margin of head. In lateral view, metanotal groove deeply impressed. Dorsum of propodeum nearly straight, longer than declivity; posterodorsal corner of propodeum broadly rounded. Petiolar node as high as propodeum, upright, nearly trapezoidal; subpetiolar process forms a wedge. In dorsal view, pronotum anterior and lateral margins broad and round, posterior margin concave. Petiolar node flat oval. Mandible densely punctate; head densely punctate; mesosoma, petiole and gaster finely punctate. Dorsum of body with abundant standing hairs and densely sub-decumbent hairs; upper part of propodeum with densely sub-decumbent hairs; body color dark brown, mandible, flagellar segments, and legs deep yellowish brown.