Brachyponera paraarcuata Chen, Yu & Yi, 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

Brachyponera paraarcuata Chen, Yu & Yi sp. nov.

Fig. 28 A – C

Type material.

Holotype. worker, China: • Yunnan Province, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Lvchun County, Banpo Township, Bayanhongdong , 24.63598 ' N, 102.34737 ' E, 1258 m above sea level, from soil in a monsoon evergreen broadleaf forest, 10. X. 2023, Bolun Li leg., No. KIZ 20231657 ( KIZ) . Paratypes: • 4 workers, same data as holotype ( KIZ 20231657 A , KIZ 20231657 B deposited in SWFU, KIZ 20231657 C , KIZ 20231657 D deposited in GXNU) .

Non-type material examined.

1 worker, China: Yunnan Province, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Lvchun County, Banpo Township , mohelongtang, 22.61721 ' N, 102.33585 ' E, 1263 m above sea level, from mixed coniferous-broad forest, 13. iv. 2023, Chao Chen leg., No. KIZ 20230173 ( KIZ) ; 2 workers, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Lvchun County, Banpo Township, Bayanhongdong , 24.63598 ' N, 102.34737 ' E, 1258 m above sea level, monsoon evergreen broadleaf forest, 10. X. 2023, Bolun Li leg., No. KIZ 20230527.1 - KIZ 20230527.2 ( KIZ) ; 2 workers, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Lvchun County, Qimaba Township , dongma village, 22.68607 ' N, 102.30688 ' E, 1267 m monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest, 18. iv. 2023, Chao Chen leg., No. KIZ 20230625.1 - KIZ 20230625.2 ( KIZ) .

Measurements and indices.

Holotype: (Fig. 28 A – C ): HL 1.01, HLL 0.93, HLA 0.15, HW 0.91, ML 0.55, CML 0.13, CI 90, SL 0.98, SI 107, ED 0.13, PrL 0.65, PrH 0.54, PrW 0.67, WL 1.51, TL 5.1, PL 0.36, PH 0.68, DPW 0.42, LPI 188, PDPI 117. Paratypes (n = 4): HL 0.98–1.09, HLL 0.92–0.97, HLA 0.14–0.15, HW 0.90–0.95, ML 0.55–0.57, CML 0.12–0.13, CI 87–92, SL 0.95–0.98, SI 103–105, ED 0.13, PrL 0.60–0.66, PrH 0.54–0.55, PrW 0.61–0.67, WL 1.46–1.51, TL 5.0–5.4, PL 0.34–0.37, PH 0.66–0.68, DPW 0.42–0.43, LPI 184–194, PDPI 116–124.

Diagnosis.

The new species is similar to Brachyponera arcuata ( Karavaiev, 1925) , but it differs in lateral margins of head from mandible base to anterior edge of eye nearly straight (Fig. 12 C ), propodeal declivity smooth at the margin (Fig. 12 D ), body color black to brownish black. In B. arcuata , lateral margins of head between mandible base and anterior edge of eye are strongly convex (Fig. 12 A ), propodeal declivity is rugose at margin (Fig. 12 B ), and body color is brownish yellow.

Description.

In full-face view, head longer than broad, roughly rectangular, posterior margin nearly straight, posterolateral corners narrowly rounded, lateral margins moderately convex. Mandible triangular with nine teeth, end tooth largest, and with a basal mandibular pit. Clypeus transverse, center of anterior margin weakly concave. Frontal carina short, frontal lobes well developed, covering antennal socket, frontal region with central longitudinal ridge. Antennae 12 - segmented, scape exceeds posterolateral corner of head by 1 / 5 of its length, flagellar segments gradually increase in size toward the end. Eye medium to small and maximum diameter consists of eight ommatidia (ED 0.13 mm).

In lateral view, anterior margin of pronotum forms a cervical shield extending forward. Pronotum and mesonotum significantly higher than propodeum. Promesonotal suture seams evident, metanotal groove deeply impressed. Dorsal surface of propodeum continuously connected with declivity, forming a complete circular arc. Propodeal spiracle rounded, groove between spiracle and metanotal groove inconspicuous or absent. Metapleural bulla small, roughly elliptical. Petiolar node as high as propodeum, upright, nearly trapezoidal; anterior and posterior margin nearly straight, dorsum moderately convex; subpetiolar process triangular. Prora absent. Gaster subconical, basal two intersegments contracted, apex with sting.

In dorsal view, pronotum broadest, lateral margins moderately convex, humeral corners indistinct. Promesonotal suture and metanotal groove form an ellipse. propodeum rectangular, wide at the lower part and narrow at the upper part. Petiolar node broader than long, lateral and anterior margins convex, posterior margin flat.

Head, pronotum, mesonotum, and gaster with largely densely punctate. Mesopleuron, propodeum, petiolar node and legs with hairy punctations. Clypeus, mandible, coxa, propodeum, petiolar node and gaster with sparse erect or suberect hairs, dorsal surface of body with densely sub-decumbent hairs. Body color black to brownish black, funiculus, mandible, and legs yellowish brown.

Ecological notes.

The new species was collected in the Huanglianshan National Nature Reserve in Yunnan. The type series was collected from the same soil nest in a monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest at an altitude of 1250 m and 14 were collected foraging on the ground surface. One worker was collected in the soil of mixed coniferous and broadleaf forest at an altitude of 1000 m. Two workers were collected on the ground surface of the monsoon evergreen broadleaf forest at an altitude of 1250 m (Suppl. material 1: fig. S 18).

Etymology.

The specific epithet paraarcuata is a compound word meaning “ similar to arcuata ”.

Figures

Figure 12. A, C head in full-face view B, D mesosoma in lateral view A, B Brachyponera arcuate (non-type from Java) C, D B. paraarcuata sp. nov. Photographer Chao Chen (A – D).

Figure 28. Brachyponera paraarcuata sp. nov. worker (holotype, No. KIZ 20231657) A head in full-face view B body in lateral view C body in dorsal view. Photographer Chao Chen.