Myrmecina inaequala, 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 : 12-13

Myrmecina inaequala sp. n.

(Figs 20-22, 51)

Types. Holotype worker from 11km ENE Mt. Tozer , 12°43'S 143°18'E, Queensland , 11-16 July 1986, T. A. Weir, rainforest, litter ( ANIC 32-047354 ) ; 2 paratype workers, same data as holotype ( ANIC, ANIC 32- 047469 ) ; 6 paratype workers, same data as holotype ( ANIC, BMNH, ANIC 32-047470 ) ; 6 paratype workers, same data as holotype ( ANIC, MCZC, ANIC 32-047471 ) ; 2 paratype workers, same data as holotype ( ANIC, ANIC 32-047472 ) .

Diagnosis. Dorsal surface of mesosoma with continuous longitudinal carinae running from pronotum to propodeum; dorsal and lateral surfaces of mesosoma separated by an indistinct angle or ridge which interrupts or breaks the mesosomal sculpturing; carinae weak and relatively indistinct on sides of pronotum. This species can be separated from the similar rugosa by the more distinct and linear carinae on the mesosoma and from difficulta by the angle or ridge separating the dorsal and lateral surfaces of the mesosoma which interrupts the sculpturing (in difficulta the sculpturing is continuous across these surfaces).

Worker description. Antennal scapes with low longitudinal ridges. 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 very short, broadly angular. Propodeal spines long. Erect hairs abundant, straight. Colour dark brown-black, antennae, mandibles and legs yellow-red.

Measurements. Worker (n = 8) - CI 97-105; HL 0.63-0.79; HW 0.62-0.78; MTL 0.33-0.43; SI 81-96; SL 0.55-0.67; WL 0.79-0.93.

Additional material examined ( ANIC except where noted). New South Wales: nr. Armidale, Eastwood State Forest (Sakurai,Y.). Queensland: 11km ENE Mt. Tozer (Weir,T.A.); 14km SW Yarraman (Hill,L.); 1km N Nounded Hill (Calder,A. & Feehan,J.); 1km W Kuranda (Doyen,J.); 2.5km ESE of Eungella (Gillison,A.); 3km ENE Mt. Tozer (Weir,T.A.); 3km N of Upper Yarraman (Gallon,J. & Thompson,G.); 3km SWbyW Mount Ossa (Gillison,A.); 5km E Yarraman (Hill,L.); 6km S Eungella (Shattuck,S.O.); 7km ENE Mt. Tozer (Weir,T.A.); Bakers Blue Mt., 17km W Mount Molloy (Monteith,G.B. & Cook,D.); Bellenden Ker Range, Summit TV Stn (Monteith,G.B. & Yeates,D.K.); Boombana Nat. Pk ( QM party) ( QMBA); Brandy Ck. Rd., Conway S.F. (Monteith,G.B.); Broken R. Eungella N.P. (Gillison,A.); Bunya Mountains (Monteith,G.B.); Fraser Island (Collier,P.) (TERC); Iron Range (Taylor,R.W. & Feehan,J.); Iron Range (Monteith,G.B.); Iron Range, Claudie River (Taylor,R.W. & Lawrence,J.F.); Iron Range, S slope Mt. Lamond (Taylor,R.W. & Feehan,J.); Kirrama Range via Kennedy (Monteith,G.B.); Kroombit Tops, 45km SSW Calliope, Sites 2, 4, 5, 6 and 15 (Monteith, Davies, Gallon & Thompson); Kroombit Tops, SSW Calliope, Beauty Spot 98 (Monteith,G.B.); Kuranda (Brown,W.L.); Massey Range, 12km S Gordonvale (Monteith,G.B. & Cook,D.); Mount Blackwood, 14km SE by E Mount Ossa (Gillison,A.); Mt. Windsor Tableland (Taylor,R.W.); near Kenilworth (Taylor,R.); Rocky River, Cape York (Darlington,P.F.); Townsville (Hill,G.F.); W McNamee Creek (Taylor,R.W. & Feehan,J.); Mount Windsor Tableland, 28km NNW Mt Carbine (Monteith, Yeates & Cook); Mount Windsor Tableland, 35km NNW Mt. Carbine (Monteith, Yeates & Cook).

Comments. This is the most widespread species of Myrmecina in Australia and occurs in a range of habitats including Eucalyptus forests, meso-notophyll vine forests, Picabean palm forests, wet sclerophyll and rainforest. It is most commonly encountered in litter samples or occasionally in rotten logs.