Brachyponera chinensis ( Emery, 1895 )

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 chinensis ( Emery, 1895)

Fig. 23 A-D

Ponera nigrita subsp. chinensis Emery, 1895 m: 460 (in text) (w.). Type locality: China (Shanghai). Indomalaya.

Type material.

Holotype worker, from China, • Shanghai, date and collector unknown (images of the holotype, CASENT 0903937 available on AntWeb were examined).

Measurements and indices.

Worker (Fig. 23 A – D ): HL 1.26, HLL 1.15, HLA 0.14, HW 1.16, ML 0.69, CML 0.19, CI 92, SL 0.99, SI 86, ED 0.23, PrL 0.71, PrH 0.57, PrW 0.77, WL 1.67, TL 5.0, PL 0.40, PH 0.60, DPW 0.58, LPI 150, PDPI 145.

Diagnosis.

The species can be separated from other Chinese members of the genus based on the combination of the following characters: mandible base rough with fine puncta, tip smooth; antennae 12 - segmented, scape slightly exceeds posterolateral corner; eye medium in size and located in front of lateral margin of head; in lateral view, propodeum densely transversely rugose; smooth area if any much restricted; dorsal of propodeum straight, declivity convex, the length is nearly equal.

Brief description.

In full-face view, head longer than broad, roughly trapezoidal, posterolateral corners narrowly rounded. Mandible triangular with nine teeth. Antennae 12 - segmented, scape slightly exceeds posterolateral corner, flagellar segments gradually become thicker and rod-shaped towards 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 straight, declivity convex, the length is nearly equal. Petiolar node nearly trapezoidal; subpetiolar process wedge-shaped. In dorsal view, pronotum anterior and lateral margins broad and round, posterior margin concave. Petiolar node crescent-shaped. Mandible base rough with fine puncta, tip smooth. Head and body densely and finely punctate; pronotum, petiolar node and gaster with fine, shiny puncta. Side plates of mesosoma smooth and shiny. Propodeum rough with dense, coarse puncta. Body black; mandible, antennae flagellum, legs, and end of gaster yellow brown.

Figures

Figure 23. Brachyponera chinensis worker (CASENT 0903937, type) A head in full-face view B label C body in lateral view D body in dorsal view. Photographer Will Ericson.