Brachyponera luteipes

Brachyponera luteipes (Mayr, 1862) Fig. 24 A-D Ponera luteipes Mayr, 1862: 722 (w. q.), India (Nicobar Is). Type material. Syntype workers and syntype queens (NHMW) from India, Nicobar Is, Milu I. (images of a syntype, CASENT 0915672, available on AntWeb were examined). Non-type material examined. • 13 workers, China: Yunnan Province, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Lvchun County, Banpo Township, Daguyan, 22.61094 ' N, 102.28100 ' E, 367 m Tropical seasonal rainforest, 9. x. 2023, Chao Chen leg., No. KIZ 20231066.1 - KIZ 20231066.13 (KIZ); • 20 workers, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Lvchun County, Sanmeng Township, Laobianduan, 22.92752 ' N, 102.28553 ' E, 1749 m montane mossy evergreen broad-leaf forest, 16. x. 2023, Chao Chen leg., No. KIZ 20232340.1 - KIZ 20232340.20 (KIZ); • 7 workers, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Lvchun County, Qimaba Township, 22.80584 ' N, 102.22848 ' E, 745 m mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forest, 13. x. 2023, Chao Chen leg., No. KIZ 20232464.1 - KIZ 20232464.7 (KIZ). Measurements and indices. worker (Fig. 24 A – D): HL 0.78, HLL 0.70, HLA 0.10, HW 0.71, ML 0.40, CML 0.08, CI 91, SL 0.65, SI 92, ED 0.11, PrL 0.45, PrH 0.32, PrW 0.50, WL 1.04, TL 3.0, PL 0.21, PH 0.44, DPW 0.39, LPI 211, PDPI 186. Diagnosis. The species can be separated from other Chinese members of the genus based on the combination of the following characters: smaller species, <4.5 mm in total body length; head width <0.9 mm; flagellar segments 1 and 2 each as long as broad, or broader than long; dorsum of propodeum convex, declivity convex, the length is nearly equal; in lateral view, propodeum smooth or only punctate; in dorsal view, gastral tergite 1 with sparsely sub-decumbent hairs or fewer standing hairs. Brief description. Head longer than wide, with broad rounded depression at posterior margin. Mandible triangular with nine teeth. Antennae 12 - segmented, scape exceeds posterolateral corner, flagellar segments 1 and 2 as long as broad, or broader than long. Dorsum of propodeum convex, declivity convex, the length is nearly equal Mandible smooth, finely punctate. Head and body densely and finely punctate; pronotum and mesonotum puncta are rough; side plates of mesosoma smooth and shiny; Petiolar node and gaster finely punctate. Dorsal surface of head and body sparsely erected with abundant sub-decumbent hairs; scape and hind tibiae are densely covered in sub-decumbent hairs, lacking erected hairs. Body black; mandible, antennae flagellum, tibiae, tarsus, and end of gaster reddish brown.