Euponera tianzun ( Terayama, 2009 ), 2025

Chen, Chao, Yu, Yu & Yi, Chuanhui, 2025, Revision of the Chinese species of the genus Brachyponera Emery, 1900 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), with a key to the world species of the genus, ZooKeys 1230, pp. 247-286 : 247-286

Euponera tianzun ( Terayama, 2009) comb. nov.

Fig. 30 A – D

Pachycondyla tianzun Terayama, 2009: 106, figs 31–35, 38 (w.). Type locality: Taiwan.

Brachyponera tianzun ( Terayama, 2009): Schmidt and Shattuck 2014: 81.

Type material.

Holotype worker of E. tianzun was examined in online database of the NIAES (http://www.niaes.affrc.go.jp/inventory/insect/inssys/hymlst.htm HYM-182 , imaged by Hiraku Yoshitake & Takashi Kurihara) . Holotype (worker). Type locality: China: Taiwan Province, Nantou Pref., Nanfeng-Cun, Nanshanxi , 12. viii. 1980 (M. Terayama). Type-depository: NIAES (National Institute for Agro- Environmental Sciences) .

Diagnosis.

This species is separated from Euponera sharpi Forel, 1901 by the angulate posterodorsal corner and much steeply sloped posterior margin of propodeum. Rather it resembles E. sakishimensis (Terayama, 1999) from the Ryukyus, Japan, and E. pilosior (Wheeler, 1928) from Japan and Korea. However, it is separated from the latter two by the narrow dorsal surface of propodeum and triangular subpetiolar process ( Terayama 2009).

Measurements and indices.

Holotype: HL 1.18, HW 1.08, SL 0.80, WL 1.65, PL 0.40, PH 0.75, DPW 0.57, TL 4.7 CI 92, SI 74 ( Terayama 2009).

Redescription of worker

(Fig. 30 A – D ). In full-face view, head longer than broad, roughly rectangular, posterior margin weakly concave, posterolateral corners narrowly rounded, lateral margins moderately convex. Mandible triangular with ten teeth, and with a basal pit; masticatory margin meets with basal margin a right angle. Anterior margin of clypeus weakly convex, median clypeal ridge slightly raised. Frontal lobes well developed, covering antennal socket. Antennae 12 - segmented; scape slightly exceeding posterior margin of head; flagellum obviously incrassate toward apex. Eye small, consisting of six or seven ommatidia, 0.04 mm in diameter.

In lateral view, dorsal and ventral margins of head slightly convex. Promesonotal suture and metanotal groove impressed. Mesonotum slightly convex. Dorsal surface of propodeum nearly straight, posterodorsal corner narrowly rounded, declivity steeply sloping (almost vertical), about equal to length of dorsum. Spiracle circular and located at about midpoint of propodeal side. Metapleural bulla roughly elliptical. Petiolar node higher than long; in dorsal view anterior margin nearly straight and dorsal and posterior margins slightly convex; subpetiolar process triangular, with dully angulate ventral corner. Prora present on anterior margin of first gastral sternite. Gaster roughly elliptical, apex with sting.

With mesosoma in dorsal view, pronotum broadest, lateral margin moderately convex, humeral corner indistinct. Promesonotal suture and metanotal groove impressed. Mesonotum elliptical, its lateral margin moderately convex. Petiolar node broader than long, anterior and lateral margins slightly convex, posterior margin nearly straight.

Head and body surface weakly punctate. Clypeus, pronotum, petiolar node and gaster with sparse erect hairs, cranium, antennae, mesosoma and gaster with suberect hairs and pubescence. Body dark reddish brown to blackish brown; head darker than alitrunk; antenna, mandible, and legs reddish brown.

Comments.

The species was transferred to Euponera because it bears morphological traits typical for this genus, among them: head rectangular, longer than wide (CI = 91), with concave posterior margin in full-face view; mandible with 10 teeth, and with a basal mandibular pit; anterior margin of clypeus weakly convex; antennal scape slightly exceeding the posterior margin of head; SI = 74; eye small, consisting of six or seven facets, 0.04 mm in diameter; alitrunk with straight dorsal margin in profile; propodeum with angulate posterodorsal corner and steeply sloped posterior margin in profile, in dorsal view dorsal surface relatively wide; petiole higher than long in profile, subpetiolar process triangular, with dully angulate ventral corner ( Terayama 2009).

Figures

Figure 30. Euponera tianzun worker (holotype) A head in full-face view B labels C body in lateral view D body in dorsal view. Photographers Hiraku Yoshitake, Takashi Kurihara.