New synonym and new Japanese record of the ant genus Ponera (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Masashi Yoshimura, Shingo Hosoishi, Yuzuru Kuboki, Keiichi Onoyama, Kazuo Ogata

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A new synonym in the ant genus Ponera, and a new species-record from Japan are reported following faunal surveys of Yakushima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture. Morphological comparison of type specimens with material collected on Yakushima and mainland Kyushu and Honshu reveals that Ponera yakushimensis Tanaka is a junior synonym of Ponera scabra Wheeler. Analysis of intraspecific variation in P. scabra is reported. Morphological comparison reveals that a recent putative distribution record of P. scabra from Yakushima was based on a misidentification of Ponera alisana Terayama. This is the first Japanese record of P. alisana, which was originally described from Taiwan. Geographic variation between the P. alisana types and specimens collected on Yakushima is discussed. A revised key to Japanese Ponera species is presented.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)194-201
Number of pages8
JournalEntomological Science
Volume12
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2009

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Insect Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'New synonym and new Japanese record of the ant genus Ponera (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this