Epopostruma kangarooensis

Epopostruma kangarooensis is known from a single specimen collected on Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Nothing is known of its biology.

Identification
This rare species is similar to Epopostruma angulata and Epopostruma infuscocephala. It can be separated from the former by the diverging petiolar spines, the shallowly concave posterior margin of the head (the angle between its sides approximately 70°) and the higher, more arched postpetiole, and from the later by the uniform head colour which is similar to the colour of the pronotum.

Key to Epopostruma Species

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  kangarooensis. Epopostruma kangarooensis Shattuck, in Bolton, 2000: 63 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Description
In full face view the lateral margin of the head between the eye and the posterior corner divided by an indistinct angle. Pronotal spines present, distinct. Posterior section of metanotum in approximately the same plane as the dorsal face of propodeum, the junction of these plates a very weak depression. Posterior face of propodeum between bases of spines and propodeal lobes with thin flanges. Petiolar spines present. Anterior face of postpetiole shorter than the dorsal and separated from it by a broadly rounded convexity; sides approximately vertical and rounding gradually from dorsal to posterior surfaces, in dorsal view the posterolateral corners forming a thin, angular flange. Dorsum of petiole, postpetiole and gaster with short, straight erect hairs. First gastral tergite with indistinct sculpturing giving a matte appearance; area immediately behind attachment with gaster with short rugae. Body colour uniform yellow throughout, legs slightly darker.

Measurements

Holotype worker. TL 3.7mm, HL 0.81mm, HW 0.74mm, CI 91, MandL 0.38mm, MandI 47, SL 0.44mm, SI 59, PronW 0.50mm, ML 0.93mm.

CI (cephalic index) - HW/HL X 100. HL (head length) - The length of the head capsule excluding the mandibles, measured in full face view in a straight line from the mid point of the anterior clypeal margin to the mid point of the occipital margin. In species where one or both of these margins is concave the measurement is taken from the mid point of a transverse line that spans the apices of the projecting portions. HW (head width) - The maximum width of the head in full face view, excluding the eyes. MandI (mandibular index) - ML/HL X 100. MandL (mandible length) - The straight line length of the mandible at full closure, measured in the same plane for which the HL measurement is taken (i.e. full face view), from the mandibular apex to the anterior clypeal margin, or to the transverse line connecting the anteriormost points in those taxa where the margin is concave medially. ML (mesosomal length) (= Weber's length) - The diagonal length of the mesosoma in profile from the point at which the pronotum meets the cervical shield to the posterior basal angle of the metapleuron. PronW (pronotal width) - The maximum width of the pronotum in dorsal view. (Projecting spines, tubercles or other cuticular prominences at the pronotal humeral angles are ignored.) SI (scape index) - SL/HW X 100. SL (scape length) - The maximum straight line length of the scape, excluding the basal constriction or neck that occurs just distal of the condylar bulb. TL (total length) - The total outstretched length of the ant from the mandibular apex to the gastral apex; when measured in profile the sum of ML + HL + ML + lengths of waist segments + length of gaster.