Hypoponera molesta Bolton & Fisher, 2011

Bolton, B. & Fisher, B. L., 2011, Taxonomy of Afrotropical and West Palaearctic ants of the ponerine genus Hypoponera Santschi (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)., Zootaxa 2843, pp. 1-118 : 73

Hypoponera molesta Bolton & Fisher sp. n. (Figs 79 – 81)

WORKER (holotype in parentheses). Measurements: HL 0.60 – 0.64 (0.60), HW 0.46 – 0.48 (0.48), HS 0.530 – 0.555 (0.540), SL 0.40 – 0.43 (0.40), PrW 0.36 – 0.38 (0.37), WL 0.80 – 0.84 (0.80), HFL 0.44 – 0.45 (0.44), PeNL 0.19 – 0.20 (0.20), PeH 0.39 – 0.42 (0.40), PeNW 0.34 – 0.36 (0.34), PeS 0.307 – 0.320 (0.313) (6 measured). Indices: CI 75 – 80 (80), SI 83 – 90 (83), PeNI 89 – 94 (92), LPeI 48 – 50 (50), DPeI 170 – 180 (170).

Eyes of 1 – 2 small, usually depigmented, ommatidia. Apex of scape, when laid straight back from its insertion, conspicuously fails to reach the midpoint of the posterior margin in full-face view; SL/HL 0.64 – 0.69. Pronotal dorsum superficially punctate, less densely sculptured than the finely reticulate-punctate cephalic dorsum. Metanotal groove absent from dorsum of mesosoma. Propodeum weakly marginate between declivity and side. Petiole in profile relatively stout, the node quite thick from front to back and with an almost flat to shallowly convex dorsum. In dorsal view the petiole node very broad and relatively long from front to back. Posterior surface of petiole node without cuticular ridges that radiate upward from the peduncle. Subpetiolar process with a blunt ventral angle. Maximum width of first gastral tergite in dorsal view greater than width of second gastral tergite at its midlength. Cross-ribs at base of cinctus of second gastral tergite distinct. Midline length of second gastral posttergite, from posterior margin of cinctus to apex, slightly less than the width of the segment at its midlength. Disc of second gastral tergite with sharply incised, small punctures that are separated by areas of glossy cuticle; the diameters of the punctures are distinctly less than the distances that separate them. First gastral tergite dorsally pubescent, and with numerous conspicuous standing setae that are clearly longer and more erect than the pubescence.

Holotype worker, Gabon: Prov. Woleu-Ntem, 31.3 km. 108° ESE Minvoul, 2°04.8 ’ N, 12°24.4 ’ E, 600 m., 11.ii.1998, #1684(47)-4, sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood) rainforest (B.L. Fisher) (CASC). Paratypes. 6 workers with same data as holotype but coded #1684(7)-3, #1684(9)-4, #1684(21)-4, #1684(23)-5, #1684(27)-6, #1684(28)-5; 1 dealate queen with same data but coded #1648(49)-7 (CASC, BMNH).

A discernible small eye is present in all the material examined, but given the variation elsewhere in the group it is possible that specimens without eyes may also occur. See the notes under dema .

Non-paratypic material examined. Democratic Republic of Congo: Epulu (S.D. Torti).