Hypoponera hawkesi 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 : 54-55

Hypoponera hawkesi Bolton & Fisher sp. n.

(Figs 46 – 48)

WORKER (holotype in parentheses). Measurements: HL 0.57 – 0.58 (0.58), HW 0.47 – 0.48 (0.48), HS 0.520 – 0.530 (0.530), SL 0.42 – 0.45 (0.45), PrW 0.34 – 0.37 (0.37), WL 0.76 – 0.80 (0.78), HFL 0.43 – 0.46 (0.45), PeNL 0.14 – 0.15 (0.15), PeH 0.32 – 0.35 (0.35), PeNW 0.20 – 0.21 (0.21), PeS 0.217 – 0.237 (0.237) (4 measured). Indices: CI 82 – 83 (83), SI 90 – 94 (94), PeNI 56 – 59 (57), LPeI 43 – 45 (43), DPeI 140 – 150 (140).

Eyes absent. Apex of scape, when laid straight back from its insertion, projects slightly beyond the midpoint of the posterior margin in full-face view; SL/HL 0.74 – 0.78. Funiculus with 5 enlarging apical segments. Metanotal groove absent from dorsum of mesosoma but its former track marked by a change of slope between mesonotum and propodeum. Mesonotal-mesopleural suture weakly indicated on side of mesosoma. In profile dorsum of mesonotum slopes down posteriorly, its anterior portion highest and distinctly higher than the propodeal dorsum. Posterior surface of petiole node without short cuticular ridges that radiate from just above the peduncle. Node of petiole in profile tall and slender, the anterior and posterior faces distinctly convergent dorsally; the length of the dorsum is markedly less than the length just above the tubercle. In dorsal view the petiole node relatively very narrow in relation to the width of the pronotum (PeNI 56 – 59). Subpetiolar process in profile with a low but distinct ventral angle. Maximum width of first gastral tergite of holotype in dorsal view (0.40) is noticeably less than width of second gastral tergite at its midlength (0.44). Sides of second gastral tergite shallowly convex in dorsal view. Midline length of second gastral posttergite, from posterior margin of cinctus to apex, is less than the maximum width of the segment. Cross-ribs at base of cinctus of second gastral tergite short but distinctly present. Disc of second gastral tergite with densely crowded, small, superficial punctures so that the surface appears microreticulate at lower magnifications. First and second gastral tergites dorsally pubescent and with a few inconspicuous short standing setae that are sparse, minute and difficult to see, resembling isolated erect pubescence rather than real setae. Full adult colour yellow.

Holotype worker, Ta n z a ni a: Morogoro Region, Sali Forest Reserve, 1150 m., 17-20.x.2007, CEPF-TZ-9.4-F25, 8.94497S, 36.67261E, AFRC-TZ-04, primary forest, hand collected (P. Hawkes, M. Bhoke, U. Richard) (SAMC). All legs on the right side of the holotype are damaged: front leg missing beyond femur, midleg missing beyond trochanter, hind leg missing beyond femur.

This very distinctive species is known only from the holotype and three workers from Uganda. It is a member of section 1 of the abeillei group but is rendered quite distinct by its high, short but dorsally very narrow petiole node, gracile appearance and relatively long scapes. The dentition is unusual for an African Hypoponera as there are 5 teeth, with just a single denticle between tooth 3 and 4, and teeth 4 and 5 are easily as large as tooth 3. It is impossible to say if this dentition is stable and characteristic of the species as a whole because so few workers are known.

Non-paratypic material examined. Uganda: Kalinzu NP (M. Kiyono).