Heteroponera leae

Specimens have been found in litter and pitfall samples from rainforest and eucalypt forest.

Identification
Similar to the more northerly distributed Heteroponera crozieri. The first gastral tergite largely moderately punctate-rugose; the raised elements with a clear semi-circular trend, and the posterior third of the dorsum forming a less-intensely punctate-reticulate transverse band. Second gastral tergite distinctly and somewhat reticulately longitudinally striate. For additional identification notes see Heteroponera crozieri.

Identification Keys including this Taxon

 * Key to Australian Heteroponera Species

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 * . Acanthoponera (Anacanthoponera) leae Wheeler, W.M. 1923e: 181, fig. 3 (w.) AUSTRALIA (New South Wales).
 * Type-material: 2 syntype workers.
 * Type-locality: Australia: New South Wales, National Park, nr Sydney (A.M. Lea).
 * Type-depository: MCZC.
 * Combination in Heteroponera: Brown, 1958g: 196.
 * Status as species: Brown, 1958g: 196; Taylor & Brown, 1985: 30; Taylor, 1987a: 28; Bolton, 1995b: 212; Taylor, 2011: 120 (redescription).
 * Distribution: Australia.

Description
Measurements and indices: (mm – syntype worker; smallest available worker (Ewingar SF), largest available worker (Werrikimbe NP)): TL (ca.): 4.9; 4.77, 5.62. HW: 1.11; 1.12, 1.30. HL: 1.15; 1.17, 1.23. CI: 96; 95, 95. EL: 0.21; 0.19, 0.22. SL: 0.72; 0.72, 0.80. SI: 65; 64, 61. PW: 0.73; 0.74, 0.83. WL: 1.54; 1.57, 1.69. PetH: 0.62; 0.70, 0.71. PetW: 0.49; 0.48, 0.53. GW: 0.98; 1.02, 1.12.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Taylor R. W. 2011. Australasian ants of the subfamily Heteroponerinae (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): (1) General introduction and review of the Heteroponera leae (Wheeler, 1923) species group, with descriptions of two new species. Myrmecological News 15: 117-123.