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Heteroponera monteithi
| Heteroponera monteithi | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Ectatomminae |
| Tribe: | Heteroponerini |
| Genus: | Heteroponera |
| Species group: | relicta |
| Species complex: | relicta |
| Species: | H. monteithi |
| Binomial name | |
| Heteroponera monteithi Taylor, 2015 | |
Known only from 3 rainforested sites in central coastal Queensland. Most samples comprise single workers collected from Berlese funnel samples of leafmould or sieved litter, or stick brushings.
Identification
Taylor (2015) - Some specimens, which are presumed to be sub-callow, have the gaster orange-brown.
Basically similar to the putatively related Heteroponera lioprocta (compare Figs). Node more rounded above, without median posterodorsal extension; propodeal declivity barely margined sculpturally, lacking propodeal spine-like extensions. Sculpturation of frons, mesosoma and petiole more heavily developed. Antennal scrobes finely longitudinally striate, the striae curving to follow the profile of the scrobe. Propodeal declivity smooth and shining, with distinct or vestigial fine radial striation in most specimens. Sculpture of first gastral tergite resembling H. lioprocta, similarly point-punctate, but with a few small scattered, weakly incised, shallow larger punctural elements. The point-punctae more dense along the posterior margin of the sclerite.
Affinity with Heteroponera lioprocta is supported by the uniquely shared presence of Gastral II Spurs (see relevant key couplets, an apparent synapomorphy otherwise unknown in Heteroponera (pers obs., and Feitosa, pers comm.).
Identification Keys including this Taxon
Distribution
Latitudinal Distribution Pattern
Latitudinal Range: -20° to -20.08°.
| 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. |
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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. |
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Biology
Castes
Queen
Nomenclature
The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.
- monteithi. Heteroponera monteithi Taylor, 2015b: 167, figs. 26-29, 30-33 (w.q.) AUSTRALIA (Queensland).
- Type-material: holotype worker, 5 paratype workers.
- Type-locality: holotype Australia: Queensland, Brandy Creek Road, Conway State Forest (20° 20’S, 148°42’E), 60 m., 23.iv.1979 (G.B. Monteith); paratypes: 2 workers with same data, 3 workers with same data but QMBA berlesates 57 and 63, 23-25.iv.1979 (G.B. Monteith).
- [Note: other localities are also provided, but there is no statement concerning which are paratypes, and no statement that all are paratypes; therefore only those from the type-locality are recorded here.]
- Type-depositories: ANIC (holotype); ANIC, QMBA (paratypes).
- Distribution: Australia.
Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description.
Description
Worker
(Holotype (which is the smallest specimen examined), largest paratype (Mt Dryander summit)): TL (ca): 3.94, 4.67; HW: 0.93, 1.08; HL: 0.89, 1.06; CI: 104, 101; EL: 0.16, 0.17; SL: 0.53, 0.65; SI: 57, 60; PW: 0.66, 0.78; WL: 1.12, 1.36; petH: 0.65, 0.68; petW: 0.45, 0.53; GW 0.90, 0.98.
Queen
A single individual from a nest with workers. General features, conformation, color and major sculpturation as in Figures. Relatively pale in color (possibly callow) and hirsute compared to workers. A single minute median ocellus present. Gaster less enlarged than in H. relicta gynes. Gastral II spurs barely represented by minute appropriately situated swellings. TL (ca): 5.04; HW: 1.04; HL: 1.03; CI: 101; EL: 0.18; SL: 0.62; SI: 59; PW: 0.77; WL: 1.41; petH: - ; petW: 0.57; GW 1.26.
Type Material
Australia: Queensland: Brandy Creek Rd, Conway State Forest (20°20'S, 148°42'E). Holotype Australian National Insect Collection. Paratypes in ANIC, Queensland Museum. Distribution, material examined.
Etymology
Named to commend the accomplished entomologist and insect collector nonpareil Geoff Monteith of Queensland Museum, Brisbane. Alone or accompanied he acquired over 50 of the total Heteroponera records reported in this paper.
References
- Taylor, R.W. 2015. Australasian ants of the subfamily Heteroponerinae (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): (2) the species-group of Heteroponera relicta (Wheeler) with descriptions of nine new species and observations on morphology, biogeography and phylogeny of the genus. Zootaxa. 3947:151-180. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3947.2.1