Ponera bishamon Terayama, 1996

(Fig. 36: worker; Fig. 37: dealate queen)

Ponera bishamon Terayama, 1996: 13 (w.). Type locality: Japan, Okinawa Pref., Iriomote-Jima .

Non-type material examined: JAPAN . 3 workers and 1 dealate queen, Okinawa Pref., Yaeyama Is., Yonaguni- Jima, VIII 1989, H Takamine leg (MTC: LCM_MT-Ponera-06), identified by Dr. Mamoru Terayama.

Measurements (mm) and indices. Workers (n=3): HL 0.47–0.49; HW 0.38–0.39; SL 0.30–0.31; A06L 0.02; A07L 0.02; A08L 0.03; A09L 0.05; A10L 0.06; PrW 0.29–0.30; WL 0.64–0.65; PeH 0.30–0.32; PeNL 0.17–0.18; PeW 0.24–0.25; ATL 0.39–0.41; ATW 0.37–0.38; CI 77–84, SI 79, PeI 82–85, LPeI 54–58, DPeI 135–149, ATI 105–109.

Queen (n=1): HL 0.52; HW 0.42; SL 0.31; A06L 0.02; A07L 0.02; A08L 0.04; A09L 0.05; A10L 0.07; PrW 0.36; WL 0.73; PeH 0.34; PeNL 0.17; PeW 0.28; ATL 0.46; ATW 0.44; CI 82, SI 73, PeI 77, LPeI 50, DPeI 163, ATI 105.

Diagnosis (worker). This species is characterized by a short antennal scape; a clypeal margin with a blunt tooth; the third abdominal tergum longer than broad; and a petiolar node subtrapezoidal with slightly convex posterior margin. Ponera bishamon is similar to P. yuhuang, P. taiyangshen, P. japonica, P. pianmana, and P. terayamai sp. n., but can be distinguished from P. yuhuang, P. taiyangshen, P. japonica, and P. pianmana by its third abdominal tergum longer than broad. In dorsal view, the petiolar node is narrower in P. bishamon than in P. terayamai sp. n., and the medial tooth on the clypeal margin is blunt.

Description of worker. Head. In full-face view, head subrectangular and distinctly longer than broad (CI: 77–84), with slightly convex posterior margin, slightly convex lateral margins and broadly rounded posterolateral corners (Fig. 36C). Eye small; composed of a total of 3–4 indistinct facets. Anterior clypeal margin with blunt medial tooth. Masticatory margin of mandible with a series of about 13 indistinct denticles, and three large teeth on the apical part. Antennal scape, when laid backward, with a remaining distance of about 10% of the scape length to the posterolateral corner; average ratio of the length of antennomeres = 1.16: 1.97: 3.19: 3.84 (n=3).

Mesosoma. Mesosomal dorsum in lateral view convex (Fig. 36A). Pronotum in dorsal view with acutely convex anterior margin and moderately convex lateral margins (Fig. 36B). Metanotal groove distinctly and finely incised. Lateral mesopleural suture superficially incised. Propodeal dorsum in dorsal view broad, with straight lateral margins. Propodeal corner in lateral view angular, propodeal dorsum and declivity forming approximatively a 120 degree angle.

Metasoma. Petiolar node in dorsal view arched, with well convex anterior margin, slightly concave posterior margin, and convex lateral margins (Fig. 36B). Petiolar node in lateral view moderately thick and subtrapezoid, with straight anterior margin, slightly convex posterior margin, and convex dorsal margin; posterodorsal corner lower than anterodorsal corner (Fig. 36A). Subpetiolar process with medium and circular fenestra, anteroventral corner blunt, straight ventral margin, and posteroventral corner concave with a pair of small teeth. Third abdominal tergum slightly longer than broad (ATI: 105–109), with moderately convex anterior margin and well convex lateral margins.

Sculpture. Head densely punctate. Mandible sparsely punctate. Pronotum and mesonotum evenly punctate. Mesopleuron evenly striate. Metapleuron with weakly striate lower portion and smooth upper portion. Propodeum with smooth lower portion and evenly punctate upper portion. Propodeal declivity smooth. Lateral face of petiole evenly punctate, posterior face smooth, dorsum sparsely punctate. The third and fourth abdominal segments densely punctate, other segments smooth and shining with few punctures.

Pubescence. Head, antennae, mesosoma, petiole, and gaster with evenly distributed short hairs. Mesopleuron, metapleuron, propodeum and lateral face of petiole with scattered short hairs, but glabrous in the lower portion of propodeum. Dorsal and ventral faces of head, anterior margin of clypeus, sides of mandibles, dorsum of petiolar node and gaster with many long erect hairs. Subpetiolar process with a few long erect hairs.

Color. Body color dark brown. Mandible, clypeus, antennae, legs, and apex of gaster yellowish orange.

Description of queen. Head. (Fig. 37C) Similar to worker caste, but with large and oval Eye, maximum diameter of each eye about 0.09 mm with 7 ommatidia along the maximum diameter. Three ocelli present, and forming an equilateral triangle. Antennal scape similar to worker; average ratio of the length of antennomeres = 1.20: 2.47: 3.27: 4.40 (n=1).

Mesosoma. Mesosomal dorsum in lateral view broadly convex (Fig. 37A). Pronotum in dorsal view with acutely convex anterior margin, and broadly convex lateral margins (Fig. 37B). Scutum subtrapezoidal, narrow posteriad, with moderately convex anterior margin and straight posterior margin. Transcutal suture distinct and broad. Scutellum suboval. Anapleural sulcus weakly incised. Propodeal-metapleural suture indistinct. Propodeum broad with straight lateral margins. Propodeal corner in lateral view angular; propodeal dorsum and declivity forming approximatively a 115 degree angle.

Metasoma. Petiolar node in dorsal view very thin, broader than long, with broadly convex anterior margin, slightly concave posterior margin (Fig. 37B). Petiolar node in lateral view subtrapezoidal and thin, with straight anterior margin, and slightly convex posterior margin (Fig. 37A). Subpetiolar process with small and circular fenestra, anteroventral corner blunt, straight ventral margin, and posteroventral corner concave with a pair of small teeth. The third abdominal segment similar to worker caste (ATI: 105).

Sculpture. Similar to worker caste; except metapleuron and lateral propodeum with increased puncture and striation.

Pubescence. Similar to worker caste; except metapleuron and lateral propodeum with increased short decumbent hairs.

Color. Similar to worker caste.

Description of male. Unknown.

Distribution. Japan (Iriomote-Jima and Yonaguni-Jima).