Heteroponera ecarinata, Taylor, Robert W., 2015

Taylor, Robert W., 2015, Australasian ants of the subfamily Heteroponerinae (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): (2) the species-group of Heteroponera relicta (Wheeler), with descriptions of nine new species and observations on morphology, biogeography and phylogeny of the genus, Zootaxa 3947 (2), pp. 151-180 : 176

9. Heteroponera ecarinata sp. n.

( Figs 46–49).

Type locality. AUSTRALIA: QUEENSLAND: Bellenden Ker Range : 1 km S of cable tower 6 (17°16S, 145°53'E).

Type deposition. Holotype ANIC. Paratypes ANIC, QMBA.

Distribution, material examined. EA8 (Walsh/Hugh Nelson Range): Mt Fisher, -17 33, 145.33, 3 workers, QMBA berlesates 577, 578, 1000 m (GBM & GKY, 3.v.1981). EA10 ( Bellenden Ker ): Bellenden Ker Range, Cable Tower 3 , -17 16, 145 53, pitfall trap, 1054 m (Earthwatch/Qld Museum, 25–31.x.1981)—worker paratypes. 1 km S of cable tower 6, QMBA berlesate 312, 314, 500 m (Earthwatch/Qld Museum, 17–24.x.1981)—Holotype, worker paratype. 1/2 km S of cable tower 7, yellow pan trap, rainforest, 500 m (Earthwatch/Qld Museum, 17– 24.x.1981). EA12 (Walter Hill Range): Mt Father Clancy, -17 35, 145 38, QMBA berlesate 581, 840 m (GKY & GBM, 4.v.1983). Crawfords Lookout (-17 37, 145 48), 2 workers ex ANIC Berlesate 361 (RWT & JDF, 5.vii.1971, c 320 m). Upper Boulder Creek (11 km NW of Tully), -17 50, 145 45, QMBA berlesate 675, 1000 m (GBM, Davies & GIT, 16.vii.1984). Mt Tyson, (2 km W of Tully), -17 55, 145 54, 3 workers, QMBA berlesate 586, 588, 650m (DKY, 7.v.1983). Paratype designation restricted to Bellenden Ker specimens.

Worker diagnosis. General features, conformation, color and major sculpturation as illustrated and in appropriate key couplets above. Characterized in the H. ecarinata species complex by relatively heavy sculpturation, dark blackish-brown color, with dark reddish-brown legs and antennae, and distinguished from the somewhat similar H. pendergrasti by differences in sculpturation (particularly of the frons and second gastral tergite), coloration and structure of petiolar node. Fore-coxae, propodeal declivity and posterior surface of node superficially microsculptured; propodeal declivity laterally distinctly, but not strongly, sculpturally bordered: the posterolateral edges in profile more-or-less regular and even, not serrate as a result of minutely extended cuticular points along the sculptural border. Most specimens apart from the Bellenden Ker series have the petiolar summit weakly pointed posterodorsally, and some appear not to be fully colored, possibly sub-callow. The gaster in these is lighter brown than the remaining body (and also the mesosoma in two cases). The propodeal declivity is unsculptured in most specimens, but microsculptured in several. Dimensions: (holotype, smallest available specimen (Crawfords Lookout) largest available specimen (Mt Father Clancy): TL (ca): 5.1, 4.9, 5.2; HW: 1.23, 1.19, 1.29; HL: 1.16, 1.13, 1.20; CI: 106, 105, 108; EL: 0.22, 0.21, 0.21; SL: 0.70, 0.70, 0.74; SI: 57, 59, 57; PW: 0.91, 0.90, 0.98; WL: 1.55, 1.56, 1.60; petH: 0.73, 0.75, 0.74; petW: 0.52, 0.50, 0.50; GW 1.04, 1.04, 1.07.

Related taxa. Apparently close to the broadly similar H. pendergrasti and to H. trachypyx at species-complex level

In-group sympatric associations. Sympatric with H. relicta in the Bellenden-Ker Range and at Mt Fisher, Mt Father Clancy, McNamee Creek and Upper Boulder Creek.

Remarks. Mt Bellenden Ker , which at 1,593m is second in Queensland elevation only to the adjacent Mt Bartel Frere (the second-highest Australian mountain after Mt Kosciusco, NSW). Both peaks are in the largely rainforested Wooroonooran National Park. The Bellenden Ker summit regularly receives Australian record rainfall, up to 12,438.4 mm (489.70 in).

Etymology. The species epithet, a noun in apposition, refers to the ecarinate antennal scrobes,