Myrmecina silvangula, 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 : 15-18

Myrmecina silvangula sp. n.

(Figs 5, 7, 35-37, 47)

Types. Holotype worker from Thornton Range , 16°14'S 145°26'E, 100m, Queensland , 24 June 1971, R. W. Taylor & J. Feehan, rainforest, berlesate ( ANIC, ANIC 32-047351 ) ; 2 paratype workers, same data as holotype ( MCZC, ANIC 32-047239 ; ANIC, ANIC 32-047240 ) ; 1 paratype worker from Thornton Range , 16°15'S 145 °26'E, 150m, Queensland , 23 June 1971, R. W. Taylor & J. Feehan, rainforest, berlesate ( ANIC, ANIC 32- 047238 ) .

Diagnosis. Carinae on pronotum and anterior mesonotum "V"-shaped; sides of head behind compound eyes smooth; antennal scapes with low longitudinal ridges; body smaller (HW <0.70). This species can be separated from all other known Australian species by the combination of "V"-shaped sculpturing on the dorsum of the mesosoma and the small body size.

Worker description. Antennal scapes with low ridges. First segment of funiculus cone-shaped. Sides of head behind compound eyes smooth. Sculpturing on dorsal surface of mesosoma broadly "V"-shaped anteriorly, narrowly "V"-shaped medially and parallel posteriorly. 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 = 6) - CI 93-100; HL 0.57-0.64; HW 0.56-0.60; MTL 0.28-0.32; SI 85-92; SL 0.48-0.55; WL 0.65-0.80.

Additional material examined ( ANIC). Queensland: Alexandra Bay (Feehan & Taylor); Cooper Ck., nr. Daintree (Taylor,R.W. & Feehan,J.); Mt. Sorrow slopes, Cape Tribulation (Monteith,G.B.); Thornton Range (Taylor,R.W. & Feehan,J.).

Comments. This species has been collected from leaf litter in rainforests from a restricted area of northern Queensland.