Opamyrma hungvuong, Yamane, S., Bui, T. V. & Eguchi, K., 2008

Yamane, S., Bui, T. V. & Eguchi, K., 2008, Opamyrma hungvuong, a new genus and species of ant related to Apomyrma (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Amblyoponinae), Zootaxa 1767, pp. 55-63 : 57

Opamyrma hungvuong sp. n.

(Figs. 1-12)

Type material. Holotype (worker): 21 Feb. 2000, Rao An, Son Kim II Commune (18°31'N; 105°27'E), Huong Son District, Ha Tinh Province, northern part of Central Vietnam, leg. T.V. Bui (IEBR). Paratype: 1 worker, same data as in the holotype ( KMNH).

Measurements and indices (holotype and paratype; those for paratype shown in parentheses). Head length (as measured from the anterior margin of clypeus to the posterior margin of head in full-face view) 0.73 mm (0.71); head width (maximum width of head in full-face view) 0.55 mm (0.55); cephalic index (head width/head length x 100) 75 (77); scape length (length of antennal scape excluding the basal condylar bulb) 0.38 mm (0.38); scape index (scape length/head width x 100) 69 (69); mesosomal length (as measured from the anterior margin of pronotum to the posterior margin of propodeum in profile) 1.12 mm (1.12); hind femur length (maximum length of hind femur) 0.50 mm (0.49); hind femur index (hind femur length/head width) 91 (89).

Worker description. Head long, almost rectangular, with slightly convex lateral margins and almost straight posterior margin in full-face view; in profile flattened dorsoventrally. Median part of clypeus with anterior margin weakly and broadly concave. Mandible slender, strongly curved at the apical end of trulleum (this can be clearly observed when the mandibles are opened); basal two-thirds almost parallel-sided in outer view (Fig. 5), with long but bluntly tapered apical tooth followed by a trapezoidal lobe (probably fusion of two preapical teeth: “mtl” in Fig. 3) and three inconspicuous teeth. Antennal scape (segment I) flattened dorsoventrally, narrowed toward base; segment II bead-like, in frontal view strongly narrowed at base (“as-II” in Fig. 2); segment III slightly longer than broad and narrowed basally; segments IV and V almost as long as broad; segments VI -XI broader than long; apical segment longer than broad and bluntly pointed at apex.

Pronotum longer than broad in dorsal view, with slightly convex dorsal face that merges into lateral face roundly; anterior slope short and steep. Remaining portion of mesosoma slightly narrower than pronotum and almost parallel-sided in dorsal view; nota and pleura roundly continuous; mesopleuron separated from metapleuron by a sulcus; lower portion of metapleuron defined posteriorly by a narrow furrow; propodeum with rather flat dorsum and steep posterior face.

Femur and tibia of fore leg broader than those of mid- and hind legs; relatively broad gap present between mid- and hind coxae.

Petiole seen from above much longer than broad, slightly narrowed posteriad, and laterally weakly convex, in profile much longer than high, weakly converging posteriad.

Gaster with a long and up-curved sting.

Whole body only weakly sculptured and moderately shining; mandible with sparse large punctures which generally bear setae; dorsum of head superficially punctate; clypeus with posterior portion almost unsculptured and shining; mesosoma more weakly sculptured than dorsum of head, with posteroventral portion of its side irregularly sculptured; petiole and gaster almost smooth and shining.

Head with dense short hairs that are erect or suberect; mandible when closed with lower margin bearing relatively long and sparse standing hairs; antennal scape with sparse erect hairs in addition to denser short pubescence; hairs on funiculus generally short, especially on apical segments; mesosoma and petiole dorsally with sparser standing hairs; erect hairs on tibiae and tarsi shorter than those on femora; gastral terga dorsally with standing hairs that are denser than those on mesosoma; gastral sterna each with isolated erect hairs.

Whole body light brown, with antennae and legs slightly yellowish.

Etymology. The genus name Opamyrma is an anagram of Apomyrma for the first three letters. The specific name (hungvuong) derives from the legendary king Hung Vuong who founded the first Vietnamese state Van Lang.