Hypoponera juxta 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 : 65-66

Hypoponera juxta Bolton & Fisher sp. n.

HOLOTYPE WORKER. Measurements: HL 0.56, HW 0.43, HS 0.495, SL 0.36, PrW 0.31, WL 0.71, HFL 0.34, PeNL 0.14, PeH 0.33, PeNW 0.24, PeS 0.237. Indices: CI 77, SI 84, PeNI 77, LPeI 42, DPeI 171.

Matching the description of fatiga and with indices in the same range, but size slightly larger (compare measurements). H. juxta is immediately distinguished from fatiga by the condition of the cross-ribs at the base of the cinctus of the second gastral tergite. In fatiga (and also in lassa ) the cross-ribs are short, fine, delicately constructed and densely packed. In contrast, the cross-ribs of juxta are long and thick, coarse and very conspicuous, and are distinctly separated by broad, longitudinal spaces. In addition, in juxta the anterior and posterior faces of the petiole node in profile are almost parallel, only minutely convergent dorsally, and the maximum width of the first gastral tergite in dorsal view is equal to the width of the second tergite at its midlength (ca 0.38).

Holotype worker. Ethiopia: Welega Region, Nekemte, between Nekemte & Gimbi (1350 m.) c/o Kolobo, 26.vii.2002, Museo Zoologico “ La Specola ”, num. MAG. 2484 (A. Sforzi & L. Bartolozzi) (MSNF).

H. juxta is known from just a single specimen but is obviously closely related to fatiga (and lassa ); the contrast between their fine, superficial, closely packed, short cross-ribs and the long, strong, widely spaced, coarse cross-ribs of juxta , is striking. See also the note under jocosa , above.