Myrmecina silvarugosa, Shattuck, S. O., 2009

Shattuck, S. O., 2009, A revision the Australian species of the ant genus Myrmecina (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)., Zootaxa 2146, pp. 1-21 : 18

Myrmecina silvarugosa sp. n.

(Figs 5, 7, 38-40, 47)

Types. Holotype worker from Mt. Lewis , 16°34'S 145°17'E, Queensland , 20 June 1971, Taylor & Feehan, rainforest ( ANIC, ANIC 32-047234 ).

Diagnosis. Majority of carinae on pronotum and mesonotum gently curved across width of mesosoma; sides of head behind compound eyes with 2-3 longitudinal carinae running the length of the head. The combination of arched mesonotal sculpturing and elongate carinae on the sides of the head behind the eyes will separate this species from all others in Australia.

Worker description. Antennal scapes smooth or with weak ridges. First segment of funiculus cone-shaped. Sides of head behind compound eyes with 2-3 longitudinal carinae running the length of the head. Carinae on pronotum and mesonotum transverse, gently curved, extending across width of mesosoma. Carinae extending continuously from the dorsal surface onto the lateral surfaces of the mesosoma. Metanotal spines short. Propodeal spines long. Erect hairs abundant, straight. Colour dark brown-black, antennae, mandibles and legs yellow-brown.

Measurements. Worker (n = 4) - CI 96-100; HL 0.63-0.66; HW 0.61-0.65; MTL 0.32-0.33; SI 82-87; SL 0.53-0.56; WL 0.71-0.78.

Additional material examined. Queensland: 2.5km N Mt. Lewis via Julatten (Yeates,D.K. & Thompson,G.I.) ( ANIC); Mary Creek site 4 (Burwell,C.) ( QMBA); Mt. Lewis Barracks, via Julatten (Monteith,G & Cook,D.) ( ANIC).

Comments. This high-elevation species is restricted to mountain-tops above 1000m in a small area within Queensland's wet tropics where it occurs in rainforests. This species is sympatric with alpina , another high-elevation species, and these are the only Australian species with carinae on the sides of the head behind the eyes.