Dolichoderus rufotibialis Clark

Shattuck, Steven O. & Marsden, Sharon, 2013, Australian species of the ant genus Dolichoderus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Zootaxa 3716 (2), pp. 101-143 : 132

Dolichoderus rufotibialis Clark (raised to species)

( Fig. 21 )

Dolichoderus ypsilon rufotibialis Clark, 1930: 259 .

Types. 18 worker syntypes from Albany [approx. 35°00'S 117°52'E], Western Australia (11 (1 missing head) in MCZC, 6 in USNM, 1 in MVMA).

Diagnosis. Pronotum rounded, lacking spines; propodeum with elongate spines directed upward at angle of 45° or less to horizontal plane, the angle between them at least 90°; dorsum of petiolar node angular, base of propodeal spines forming a "V" with a narrowly rounded angle connecting their bases; legs long and bicoloured.

This species most closely resembles D. niger and D. ypsilon but can be distinguished by the dark femora and lightly coloured tibiae of D. rufotibialis compared to the uniformly coloured legs in D. niger (dark-brown) ( Fig. 16 ) and D. ypsilon (light red or orange) ( Fig. 27 ).

Worker description. See Fig. 21 . All specimens are morphologically similar to the figured individual.

Measurements (n=5). CI 92–98; EI 23–24; EL 0.26–0.31; HL 1.19–1.43; HW 1.10–1.23; ML 1.59–2.11; MTL 0.99–1.35; PronI 70.36–75.71; PronW 0.77–0.99; SI 106–117; SL 1.17–1.51.

Material examined. Western Australia: 11mi. NNE Denmark (Britton,E.B.) (ANIC); 6mi. N Denmark (Lowery,B.B.) (ANIC); 7km NE Walpole (Ward,P.S.) (ANIC); Albany (Greaves,T.) (ANIC); Bremer Bay (Heterick,B.E.) (JDMC); Coalmine Bch., Walpole Nornalup NP (Lawrence,J. & Lawrence,N.) (ANIC); Denmark (Greaves,T.) (ANIC); Gold Holes, Stirling Range (Taylor,R.W.) (ANIC); Kenton nr. Mt. Mehniup (Taylor,R.W.) (ANIC); N Walpole, small granite mt. N Mt. Frankland (Taylor,R.W.) (ANIC); Nornalup (Majer,J.D.) (JDMC); nr. Pemberton (Springett,J.) (ANIC); Peppermint Grove (Heterick,B.E.) (JDMC).

Comments. Dolichoderus rufotibialis is found in open forested habitats such as dry sandy sclerophyll and heath of coastal south-western Western Australia. Foraging is on the ground with nests under rocks and logs.

Figures

FIGURE 16. Dolichoderus niger, worker from 5 km S Borden, Western Australia (ANIC 32 - 063766). A. Front of head; B. Side of body; C. Top of body; D. Distribution of material examined.

FIGURE 21. Dolichoderus rufotibialis, worker from Kenton nr. Mt. Mehniup, Western Australia (ANIC 32 - 060511). A. Front of head; B. Side of body; C. Top of body; D. Distribution of material examined.

FIGURE 27. Dolichoderus ypsilon, syntype worker (ANIC 32 - 015061). A. Front of head; B. Side of body; C. Top of body; D. Distribution of material examined.