Key to Epopostruma of the southwestern Australian Botanical Province

This worker key is based on: Heterick, B. E. 2009a. A guide to the ants of South-western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 76: 1-206. Part 2.

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• Australia
• SWBP
• Epopostruma

1

• Anterior as well as posterior angles of postpetiole expanded laterally in the form of spines or “wings” (Figure 555) . . . . . 2

Figure 555.

• Anterior postpetiole either rounding smoothly on to sides or anterior angles in form of denticles only, never spinous or wing-like (however, posterior extensions may form spines or angles, e.g. Figure 556) . . . . . 3

Figure 556.

2

return to couplet #1

• Area immediately above eye with a small tooth (Figure 557) . . . . . Epopostruma frosti

Figure 557.

• Area immediately above eye with a rounded angle (Figure 558) . . . . . Epopostruma lattini

Figure 558.

3

return to couplet #1

• In dorsal view posterior angles of postpetiole forming distinct wings (e.g. Figure 559) . . . . . 4

Figure 559.

• In dorsal view postpetiole either rounded posteriad or posterior angles weakly denticulate; not expanded as wings (e.g. Figure 560) . . . . . 5

Figure 560.

4

return to couplet #3

• Bases of the propodeal spines and lobes not connected by flanges of any sort, petiolar spines well developed, distinct . . . . . Epopostruma mercurii

• Posterior face of propodeum with broad, distinct flanges, which connect the bases of the spines to the propodeal lobes, petiolar spines well developed or indistinct, reduced to sharp angles . . . . . Epopostruma sowestensis

5

return to couplet #3

• Propodeal angles connected to propodeal lobes by flanges, developed propodeal spines lacking (Figure 561) . . . . . Epopostruma inornata

Figure 561.

• Propodeal angles not connected to propodeal lobes by flanges, distinct propodeal spines present (Figure 562) . . . . . 6

Figure 562.

6

return to couplet #5

• Posterolateral margin of petiole rounded, without protuberance (Figure 563) . . . . . Epopostruma quadrispinosa

Figure 563.

• Posterolateral margin of postpetiole with a sharp angle or dentiform lateral protuberance (Figure 564) . . . . . 7

Figure 564.

7

return to couplet #6

• Postpetiole with distinct angle between anterior and dorsal faces (Figure 565); gaster with slight traces of superficial microreticulation, otherwise smooth and shining . . . . . Epopostruma natalae

Figure 565.

• Postpetiole generally rounded without differentiation between anterior and dorsal faces (Figure 566); gaster evenly microreticulate, matt and dull . . . . . Epopostruma kangarooensis

Figure 566.