Heteroponera wilsoni, 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 : 165-167

4. Heteroponera wilsoni sp. n.

( Figs 18–21).

Type locality. AUSTRALIA: QUEENSLAND: Devils Thumb area, -16 34, 145 17 (10 km NW of Mossman )

Type deposition. Holotype ANIC, Paratypes in ANIC, QMBA.

Distribution, material examined. Known only from the following NE Qld localities, all in map grid cell 16/ 145. Each accession a single worker collected in rainforest. Unless noted all were taken by Berlese funnel from sieved rainforest leafmould, litter or moss from trees or rocks. Queensland: EA2 (Thornton Peak): Mt Hemmant, - 16 0 7, 1455 25, QMBA berlesate 865, 1050 m (GBM & H. Janetzki, 22 xi 1993). Thornton Peak, -16 10, 145 22, QMBA berlesate 619, 1100–1300 m (GBM, DKY & GIT, 1.xi.1983). EA3 (Windsor Tableland): Mt Windsor Tableland, -16 18, 145 0 5, 850 m (RWT, 20.iii.1975). EA4 (Carbine Tableland): Devils Thumb area, -16 34, 145 17 (10 km NW of Mossman ) — QMBA berlesate 455 (GBM, DKY & GIT, 9–10.x.1982)—stick brushings, QMBA berlesate 459, 1180 m (GBM, DKY & GIT, 10.x.1982)—pyrethrum knockdown, rainforest, 1000–1180 m (GBM, DKY & GIT, 10.x.1982). Mossman Bluff Track —10 km W of Mossman (-16 28, 145 23) pyrethrum knockdown, trees and logs, 1200 m (GBM & GIT, 17.xii.1985)—Site 10, flight intercept trap, 1300 m (GBM, GIT & ANZSES, 1–17.i.1989).

Worker diagnosis. General features, conformation, coloration and major sculpturation as illustrated, and in the key to species above. Habitus similar to H. darlingtonorum (refer Figs) and H. relicta . Major sculpturation considerably different, as illustrated. Compared to H. relicta : antennal foveae superficially but more strongly sculptured, finely longitudinally striate; propodeal declivity shining, with some minute scaly microsculpture; posterior face of petiole smooth, shining. Vertexal border similarly concave in frontal view; posteroventrolateral extensions of occiput and opposing humeral epaulets less pronounced; ventrolateral sub-dentate extensions of pronotum above fore-coxae less well-developed and less-acutely pointed; humeral shoulders in dorsal view less pronounced; propodeal dorsum in profile less inclined posterodorsally; petiole in side view relatively narrow, the subpetiolar process somewhat reduced. Dimensions: (holotype; smallest available specimen, largest available specimen (both Mossman Bluff )): TL (ca): 5.28, 5.14, 5.42; HW: 1.27, 1.24, 1.31; HL: 1.21, 1.19, 1.26; CI: 104, 104, 104; EL: 0.25, 0.23, 0.25; SL: 0.72, 0.73, 0.75; SI: 59, 61, 57; PW: 0.86, 0.81, 0.88; WL: 1.55, 1.51, 1.59; petH: 0.83, 0.768, 0.87; petW: 0.54, 0.51, 0.55; GW 1.05, 1.04, 1.08.

Related taxa. See above under H. relicta .

In-group sympatric associations. Sympatric with H. rhodopygea at all sites of record except Mossman Bluff , where H. wilsoni is directly sympatric with H. relicta .

Biogeography. Known only from the farthest northern Endemicity Areas, EA2, 3 and 4. Etymology. Named for the preeminent myrmecologist Edward O. Wilson of the Museum of Comparative Zoology Laboratories, Harvard University.