Ecphorella

A monotypic genus (Ecphorella wellmani) that is only known from the workers of the type specimens. Nothing is known about the biology of this species.

Identification
Shattuck (1992) - Worker: Vertex concave; anterolateral clypeal margin with the corners expanded slightly anterior of the mediolateral region; palp formula reduced; metanotal groove a narrow, distinct notch in the relatively flat dorsal mesosomal surface; propodeal spiracle dorsal and posterior, near the propodeal angle; petiolar scale strongly inclined anteriorly and with the anterior face much shorter than the posterior face.

Distribution
Known only from the type locality, Benguela, Angola.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  ECPHORELLA [Dolichoderinae: Tapinomini]
 * Ecphorella Forel, 1909b: 65 [as subgenus of Tapinoma]. Type-species: Tapinoma (Ecphorella) wellmani, by monotypy.
 * Ecphorella raised to genus: Shattuck, 1992c: 85.

Description
n. snbg. Differe de Tapinoma par son epistome entier, sa tete deprimee, ses antennes epaisses, et surtout par le pedicule qui a une ecaille tres inclinee en avant, mais distincte et fort epaisse, arrondie au sommet. Comme il n'y a qu'un individu, je n'ai pu dissequer le gesier. Ce sous-genre se rapproche du S. G. Doleromyrma Forel, par l'existence d'une ecaille, mais celle-ci est tres mince chez Doleromyrma.