Epopostruma angulata

Epopostruma angulata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Formicidae
Subfamily:	Myrmicinae
Tribe:	Attini
Genus:	Epopostruma
Species:	E. angulata
Binomial name
	Epopostruma angulata; Shattuck, 2000 Specimen labels

Epopstruma angulata has been collected only once in a litter sample taken from a South Australian mallee site.

Identification

Epopostruma angulata is similar to Epopostruma kangarooensis but differs in having the petiolar spines narrower, the posterior margin of the head more deeply concave (the angle between its sides approximately 90°) and the postpetiole lower and more rounded.

Keys including this Species

Key to Epopostruma Species

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: -34.23333333° to -34.23333333°.


North Temperate	North Subtropical	Tropical	South Subtropical	South Temperate

Source: AntMaps

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Australasian Region: Australia (type locality).

Distribution based on AntMaps

Distribution based on AntWeb specimens

Check data from AntWeb

Countries Occupied

Number of countries occupied by this species based on AntWiki Regional Taxon Lists. In general, fewer countries occupied indicates a narrower range, while more countries indicates a more widespread species.

Estimated Abundance

Relative abundance based on number of AntMaps records per species (this species within the purple bar). Fewer records (to the left) indicates a less abundant/encountered species while more records (to the right) indicates more abundant/encountered species.

Biology

Explore Overview of Epopostruma biology

While Epopostruma can be fairly common they are often overlooked. Workers are slow-moving and most lie motionless when disturbed. Their nests are small, with up to about 100 workers, and are found in open soil or in soil under rocks, logs or small sticks. They also nest in cracks in large rocks. When nesting in open soil they are often found near the bases of trees. Tree-trunks are clearly an important substrate for foraging workers.

Almost all species forage at night although one species is known to occasionally forage on mallee stems during the day. They are also regularly found in leaf litter. Workers have been attracted to honey baits on trees in the late evening and at night. Their elongate and specialised mandibles form a type of snap-trap which is used to captured soft-bodied prey such as Collembola. ‎

Castes

Nomenclature

The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.

angulata. Epopostruma angulata Shattuck, in Bolton, 2000: 62 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Type Material

Holotype Specimen Labels

Holotype, worker, Monash, South Australia, Australia, Taplin,I.C., ANIC32-003764, Australian National Insect Collection.

Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description.

Description

In full face view the lateral margin of the head between the eye and the posterior corner divided by a distinct angle. Posterior margin of head deeply concave, the angle between its sides approximately 90°. Pronotal spines present, distinct. Posterior section of metanotum in approximately the same plane as the dorsal face of propodeum, the junction of these plates a very weak depression. Posterior face of propodeum between bases of spines and propodeal lobes with thin flanges. Petiolar spines present, directed more or less vertically, their tips approximately as wide and the maximum petiolar width. Anterior face of postpetiole shorter than the dorsal face and separated from it by a broadly rounded convexity; sides approximately vertical and rounding gradually from dorsal to posterior surfaces, in dorsal view the posterolateral corners forming thin, angular flanges. Dorsum of petiole, postpetiole and gaster with short erect hairs, the majority with curved tips. First gastral tergite with indistinct sculpturing giving a matte appearance; area immediately behind attachment with gaster with short longitudinal rugae. Body colour yellow-red, with light infuscation on dorsum of head, posterior section of alitrunk, petiole, postpetiole and legs.

Measurements

Holotype worker. TL 3.75mm, HL 0.83mm, HW 0.81mm, CI 96, MandL 0.45mm, MandI 54, SL 0.54mm, SI 67, PronW 0.56mm, ML 0.97mm.

References

Shattuck, S. O. 2000. Genus Colobostruma. Genus Mesostruma. Genus Epopostruma. Pp. 31-67 in: Bolton, B. The ant tribe Dacetini. Mem. Am. Entomol. Inst. 65: 1-1028 (page 62, worker described)