Myrmecina rugosa Forel

Shattuck, Steve, 2009, A revision the Australian species of the ant genus Myrmecina (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Zootaxa 2146, pp. 1-21 : 13-14

Myrmecina rugosa Forel

( Figs 26–28 , 50 )

Myrmecina rugosa Forel, 1902: 438 .

Types. Syntype workers from Mackay, Queensland, Turner (1 worker in ANIC, examined, ANIC32-047224).

Diagnosis. Rugae on head and dorsum of mesosoma irregular and ill-defined, not forming a regular pattern. The presence of irregular rugae on the body of this species will separate it from all other Australian species.

Worker description. Antennal scapes smooth or with low ridges. First segment of funiculus coneshaped. Sides of head behind compound eyes smooth. Sculpturing on dorsal surface of mesosoma ill-defined and irregular rugae. Dorsal and lateral surfaces of mesosoma separated by an indistinct angle or ridge which interrupts or breaks the mesosomal sculpturing. Metanotal spines very short. Propodeal spines long. Erect hairs abundant, straight. Colour dark brown-black, antennae, mandibles, legs and tip of gaster yellow-red.

Measurements. Worker (n = 1) — CI 101; HL 0.64; HW 0.65; MTL 0.35; SI 81; SL 0.53; WL 0.78.

Comments. This species, the first species in the genus described from Australia, is so far known only from type material. It can be recognised by the irregular rugose body sculpturing which is in contrast to the remaining Australian species where distinct carinae are present on the head and mesosoma. It is curious that this species was the first described given that it is one of the rarest in the genus.

Figures

FIGURES 23 – 28. Myrmecina pumila sp. n. worker. Fig. 23, front of head; Fig. 24, lateral view of body; Fig. 25, dorsal view of body. Myrmecina rugosa Forel worker. Fig. 26, front of head; Fig. 27, lateral view of body; Fig. 28, dorsal view of body.

FIGURES 47 – 52. Distribution of material examined during this study. Fig. 47, M. alpina, M. pumila, M. silvalaeva, M. silvampla, M. silvangula, M. silvarugosa and M. silvatransversa; Fig. 48, M. australis; Fig. 49, M. difficulta; Fig. 50, M. eruga (circles) and M. rugosa (square); Fig. 51, M. inaequala; Fig. 52, M. wesselensis.