Myrmecina eruga, Shattuck, Steve, 2009

Shattuck, Steve, 2009, A revision the Australian species of the ant genus Myrmecina (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Zootaxa 2146, pp. 1-21 : 10-12

Myrmecina eruga sp. n.

( Figs 5 , 17–19 , 50 )

Types. Holotype worker from Mt. Webb Nat. Pk, 15°04'S 145°07'E, Queensland, 27–30.iv.1981, A. Calder & J. Feehan, rainforest, litter (ANIC, ANIC32-047352); 11 paratype workers, same data as holotype (ANIC, BMNH, MCZC, ANIC32-047249); 3 paratype workers, same data as holotype (ANIC, ANIC 32-047246); 6 paratype workers, same data as holotype (ANIC, ANIC32-047250); 3 paratype workers, same data as holotype (ANIC, ANIC32-047251); 9 paratype workers, same data as holotype (ANIC, ANIC32-047252).

Diagnosis. Antero-medial surface of pronotum immediately behind the collar with at most very weak sculpturing and sometimes nearly smooth, this region differing significantly from the more heavily sculptured posterior regions of the pronotum and mesonotum; sculpturing on pronotum running longitudinally and generally with the central carina (or carinae) running nearly the length of the mesosoma; body larger (HW> 0.65mm, MTL> 0.35mm); head squarer (CI> 95). This species is most similar to pumila and silvalaeva in the pattern of sculpturing on the pronotum but differs from pumila in being larger and with a squarer head and from silvalaeva in the longitudinal (rather than transverse) carinae on the dorsum of the mesosoma. It shares the pattern of sculpturing on the head with rugosa , but differs in the pronotal sculpturing.

Worker description. Antennal scapes with low longitudinal ridges. First segment of funiculus coneshaped. Sides of head behind compound eyes smooth with weak irregular sculpturing centrally. Sculpturing on dorsal surface of mesosoma ill-defined and running longitudinally, the dorsal surface of pronotum immediately behind the collar very weakly sculpturing (sometimes nearly smooth). Dorsal and lateral surfaces of mesosoma separated by an indistinct angle or ridge which interrupts or breaks the mesosomal sculpturing. Metanotal spines moderately short. Propodeal spines long. Erect hairs abundant, straight. Colour dark brownblack, antennae, mandibles and legs yellow-brown.

Measurements. Worker (n = 10)—CI 95–101; HL 0.72–0.79; HW 0.71–0.79; MTL 0.37–0.42; SI 83–90; SL 0.61–0.69; WL 0.83–0.96.

Additional material examined ( ANIC except where noted). Queensland: 20km N of Cairns (Lowery,B.B.); 3km NE Mt. Webb (Calder,A. & Feehan,J.); 4.5km NNW Cape Tribulation (Ward,P.S.)

( ANIC, QMBA); Alexandra Bay (Feehan & Taylor); Bellenden Ker Range, Cableway Base Stn (Earthwatch, Qld Museum); Cape Richards, Hinchinbrook I. (Taylor,R.W.); Cape Tribulation area (Calder,A. & Weir,T.); Hinchinbrook Is., Gayundah Ck. (Monteith, Davies, Thompson & Gallon) ( ANIC, QMBA); Mt. Webb Nat. Pk (Calder,A. & Feehan,J.); nr. Cape Tribulation (Taylor,R.W. & Feehan,J.); Spear Creek (Davies & Raven); W Seymour Range, nr. Innisfail (Taylor,R.W.).

Comments. This species is restricted to rainforest and Melaleuca forests of northern Queensland coastal areas where it has been found in leaf litter samples and nesting in rotten logs and under rocks.

Figures

FIGURES 5 – 6. Fig. 5, graph of head length versus head width for M. ampla, eruga, orbicula and pumila; Fig. 6, graph of head length versus head width for M. difficulta and the remaining Australian species.

FIGURES 17 – 22. Myrmecina eruga sp. n. worker. Fig. 17, front of head; Fig. 18, lateral view of body; Fig. 19, dorsal view of body. Myrmecina inaequala sp. n. worker. Fig. 20, front of head; Fig. 21, lateral view of body; Fig. 22, 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.