Anochetus rufostenus, Shattuck, Steven O. & Slipinska, Ewa, 2012

Shattuck, Steven O. & Slipinska, Ewa, 2012, Revision of the Australian species of the ant genus Anochetus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Zootaxa 3426, pp. 1-28 : 21-22

Anochetus rufostenus n. sp.

( Fig. 14 )

Types. Holotype worker from Hann River , Queensland , 15°11'S 143°52'E, 15 September–20 October 1993, P. Zborowski & D. Rentz ( ANIC, ANIC32-031115 ) ; one paratype worker from Weipa, Queensland , July 1982, J. D. Majer ( ANIC, ANIC32 -015833) .

Diagnosis. Sculpture on front of head extending only slightly beyond eyes; pronotum longitudinally striate both dorsally and laterally; mesonotum smooth and without sculpturing; petiolar node in side view narrowing only slightly dorsally and trapezoid-shaped, with the striations along its entire height; propodeal angle gently rounded. This species is most similar to A. rufolatus but differs in having the dorsum of the pronotum longitudinally striate rather than smooth, the head shorter (HL <1.04mm) and the petiolar node narrower (maximum width <0.28mm).

Worker description. Sculpturing on front of head extending slightly beyond eyes. Scapes not reaching posterolateral corners ('lobes') of head; with limited pubescence and a limited number of erect hairs. Pronotum with distinct longitudinal striations grading into striate-rugose sculpturing posterolaterally. Anterior section of pronotum with transverse wrinkles followed by a distinct ridge. Mesonotum smooth and shining. Dorsum of propodeum slightly flattened laterally, with coarse striate-rugose sculpture and the majority of hairs strongly inclined. Propodeal angles rounded. Metapleuron with coarse striations. Petiolar node robust with thick, truncate apex; with transverse striations. Erect hairs on hind tibiae limited to the outer surfaces. Colour brown, head and legs yellow-brown, antennae and mandibles yellow.

Measurements. Worker (n = 2): CI 90–95; EI 23–24; EL 0.21–0.23; HL 1.02–1.03; HW 0.92–0.97; HFL 0.85– 0.88; ML 1.26–1.32; MandL 0.54–0.56; MTL 0.59–0.61; PronI 64–64; PronW 0.59–0.62; SL 0.78–0.80; SI 82–84.

Comments. This rare species has been encountered a limited number of times on Cape York Peninsula, Queensland. Available material is from pitfall traps placed in savannah woodlands.

Figures

FIGURE 14. Anochetus rufostenus (Hann River, Queensland, holotype, ANIC 32 - 031115): A. Front of head; B. Side of body; C. Top of body; D. Distribution of material examined.