Anochetus rufolatus, Shattuck, Steven O. & Slipinska, Ewa, 2012

Shattuck, Steven O. & Slipinska, Ewa, 2012, Revision of the Australian species of the ant genus Anochetus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Zootaxa 3426, pp. 1-28 : 20-21

Anochetus rufolatus n. sp.

( Fig. 13 )

Types. Holotype worker from Lizard Island , Queensland , 14°40'S 145°28'E, 26 February 1992, H. Reichel ( ANIC, ANIC32-044217 ) ; two paratype workers, same data as holotype except one worker ANIC32 -059572 ( ANIC), one collected 25 February 1992 ( ANIC, ANIC32 -044218) .

Diagnosis. Sculpture on front of head extending only slightly beyond eyes; pronotum smooth dorsally, sculptured laterally; mesonotum smooth and without sculpturing; petiolar node in side view narrowing only slightly dorsally and trapezoid-shaped, with the striations along its entire height; propodeal angle gently rounded. This species is most similar to A. rufostenus , differing in having the dorsum of the pronotum smooth rather than sculptured, the head longer (HL> 1.11mm) and the petiolar node wider (maximum width> 0.28mm).

Worker description. Sculpturing on front of head extending slightly beyond eyes. Scapes not reaching posterolateral corners ('lobes') of head; with limited pubescence and a limited number of erect hairs. Pronotum with striations running transversely on anterior section, longitudinally on lateral surfaces, disappearing dorsally and becoming rugose posterolaterally. Mesonotum smooth and shining. Dorsum of propodeum slightly flattened and with coarse striate-rugose sculpture; majority of hairs only slightly raised above the underlying surface. Propodeal angles rounded. Metapleuron with coarse striations. Petiolar node robust with thick, truncate apex and sculptured with transverse striations. Erect hairs on hind tibiae limited to the outer surfaces. Colour dark brown, head and legs yellow-brown, antennae and mandibles yellow.

Measurements. Worker (n = 3): CI 78–91; EI 20–24; EL 0.21–0.26; HL 1.12–1.21; HW 0.87–1.10; HFL 0.96– 1.08; ML 1.35–1.46; MandL 0.58–0.63; MTL 0.67–0.75; PronI 62–75; PronW 0.65–0.70; SL 0.85–0.98; SI 88–98.

Comments. This rare species is known from a single locality, Lizard Island, a small island located approximately 30km from the Queensland mainland. Nothing is known of its biology.

Figures

FIGURE 13. Anochetus rufolatus (Lizard Island, Queensland, holotype, ANIC 32 - 044217): A. Front of head; B. Side of body; C. Top of body; D. Distribution of material examined.