Dolichoderus gordoni, Shattuck, Steven O. & Marsden, Sharon, 2013

Shattuck, Steven O. & Marsden, Sharon, 2013, Australian species of the ant genus Dolichoderus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Zootaxa 3716 (2), pp. 101-143 : 120

Dolichoderus gordoni sp. n.

( Fig. 12 )

Types. Holotype worker from Fletcher, 28°46'S 151°51'E, Queensland, E. Sutton (ANIC, ANIC32-066637); 18 paratype workers, same data as holotype except ANIC32- 061389 (15 in ANIC, 3 in MCZC).

Diagnosis. Pronotum and propodeum with elongate spines; the short pronotal spines are directed anteriorly and approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body, in dorsal view a line drawn between their tips intersects the pronotal collar; the first gastral tergite generally lacking hairs, but with a few scattered, very small appressed hairs.

This species is most similar to D. etus and D. doriae . They differ in that D. gordoni lacks fine pubescence on the first gastral tergite but has a few scattered, very small appressed hairs. In addition, the overall colour of the body is a lighter red-brown, rather than a dark brown-black. Additionally, variation in pronotal spine length is displayed between D. gordoni and D. etus . Dolichoderus gordoni appears to have shorter, straighter pronotal spines, whereas D. etus has long spines with a distinct curve near the base of the spine. Spine length between D. gordoni and D. doriae appear similar.

Worker description. See Fig. 12 . All available material is similar to the figured individual.

Measurements (n=5). CI 99–100; EI 17–19; EL 0.27–0.31; HL 1.60–1.66; HW 1.59–1.64; ML 2.46–2.61; MTL –1.75–1.71; PronI 67.30–71.06; PronW 1.07–1.15; SI 103–108; SL 1.64–1.77.

Comments. This species is known from a single collection from a forested area of extreme south-eastern Queensland. Nothing is known concerning its biology.

Figures

FIGURE 12. Dolichoderus gordoni, worker from Fletcher, Queensland (ANIC 32 - 061389). A. Front of head; B. Side of body; C. Top of body; D. Distribution of material examined.