Epopostruma inornata

Epopostruma inornata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Formicidae
Subfamily:	Myrmicinae
Tribe:	Attini
Genus:	Epopostruma
Species:	E. inornata
Binomial name
Epopostruma inornata Shattuck, 2007 Specimen labels

This rare species is currently known from a single specimen. It belongs to the quadrispinosa species group and is one of only two members of this group to occur west of the Adelaide region (the other being Epopostruma quadrispinosa).

Identification

Epopostruma inornata can be separated from other species in this genus by having the following combination of characters:

• Lateral margin of the head between the eye and the posterior corner forming a gentle convexity.
• Humeral angles of pronotum rounded, lacking spines.
• Dorsum of petiole lacking elongate spines.
• Anterior face of postpetiole shorter than the dorsal and posterior faces.
• Sides of postpetiole approximately vertical and rounding gradually from dorsal to posterior surfaces.
• In dorsal view the postpetiole lacking lateral teeth.

Keys including this Species

• Key to Epopostruma Species
• Key to Epopostruma of the southwestern Australian Botanical Province

Distribution

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.

Nomenclature

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

• inornata. Epopostruma inornata Shattuck, 2007: 48, figs. 1-4 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Holotype Specimen Labels

Type Material

• Holotype, worker, Karragullen (as "Karagullen"), Western Australia, Australia, 32°6′0″S 116°7′0″E, 1978, J.D. Majer, ANIC32-007280, 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 lateral margin of head between eye and posterior corner forming a gentle convexity. Pronotal spines absent, anterolateral corners of pronotum very slightly angular. Posterior section of metanotum in approximately same plane as dorsal face of propodeum, junction of these plates indistinct. Posterior face of propodeum between bases of spines and propodeal lobes with thin flanges. Petiolar spines reduced to a small protuberance or angle. Anterior face of postpetiole shorter than dorsal face and separated from it by a broadly rounded angle; lateral surface of postpetiole approximately vertical and rounding gradually from dorsal to posterior surfaces, in dorsal view lateral margins parallel. Dorsum of petiole, postpetiole and gaster with short, appressed hairs. First gastral tergite smooth. Body colour yellowish brown, dorsum of head and gaster slightly darker, mandibles and legs lighter.

Measurements

Holotype worker. TL 2.8mm, HL 0.67mm, HW 0.57mm, CI 85, MandL 0.30mm, MandI 45, SL 0.33mm, SI 58, PronW 0.41mm, ML 0.75mm.

References

• Heterick, B.E. 2021. A guide to the ants of Western Australia. Part I: Systematics. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 86, 1-245 (doi:10.18195/issn.0313-122x.86.2021.001-245).
• Heterick, B.E. 2022. A guide to the ants of Western Australia. Part II: Distribution and biology. Records of the Western Australian Museum, supplement 86: 247-510 (doi:10.18195/issn.0313-122x.86.2022.247-510).
• Shattuck, S.O. 2007. New species of myrmicine ants from Western Australia. Zootaxa 1661: 47-53.