Myrmecina wesselensis, Shattuck, Steve, 2009

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

Myrmecina wesselensis sp. n.

( Figs 44–46 , 52 )

Types. Holotype worker from Rimbija Island, Wessel Islands, 11°01’S 136°45’E, Northern Territory, 3–14 Feb. 1977, T. A. Weir, ground strays collected at night (ANIC, ANIC32-047233).

Diagnosis. Erect hairs on gaster (and most on mesonotum) strongly curved so their tips are nearly parallel with the surface of the body. These short, curved hairs are unique among the Australian fauna and will separate this species from all others.

Worker description. Antennal scapes smooth. First segment of funiculus cone-shaped. Sides of head behind compound eyes smooth. Sculpturing on dorsal surface of mesosoma running longitudinally and generally with the central carina (or carinae) running nearly the length (the pronotum not differentiated from the mesonotum). Dorsal and lateral surfaces of mesosoma separated by an indistinct angle or ridge which interrupts or breaks the mesosomal sculpturing. Metanotal spines reduced, small. Propodeal spines long. Erect hairs on gaster (and most on mesonotum) strongly curved so their tips are nearly parallel with the surface of the body. Colour dark brown-black, antennae, mandibles, legs and tip of gaster yellow-red.

Measurements. Worker (n = 1) — CI 100; HL 0.68; HW 0.68; MTL 0.34; SI 81; SL 0.55; WL 0.77.

Comments. This species is known from a single worker collected foraging on the ground at night from the Wessel Islands, Northern Territory.

Figures

FIGURES 41 – 46. Myrmecina silvatransversa sp. n. worker. Fig. 41, front of head; Fig. 42, lateral view of body; Fig. 43, dorsal view of body. Myrmecina wesselensis sp. n. worker. Fig. 44, front of head; Fig. 45, lateral view of body; Fig. 46, 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.