Anochetus veronicae

Anochetus veronicae is the only species within the genus to invade the drier desert regions of northern Australia. However, even here the limited biological information suggests that it occurs in open woodlands, similar to the forest preferences shown by most other species.

Identification
Propodeal angles produced as spines; sculpture on front of head extending only slightly beyond eyes; body small (head length < 1.62mm, head width < 1.44mm); scape relatively short (scape length < 1.50mm); mesonotum smooth, lacking rugae or striations. This species is similar to Anochetus alae but differs in being smaller and with a shorter scape, having the mesonotum smooth and the sides of the propodeum with coarse striations, and with reduced pubescence on the scapes. It can be separated from the otherwise similar Anochetus renatae by the presence of teeth at the propodeal angle and in its larger size.

Key to Australian Anochetus Species

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  veronicae. Anochetus veronicae Shattuck & Slipinska, 2012: 23, figs. 4, 7, 16 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Description
Worker description. Sculpturing on front of head extending slightly beyond eyes. Scapes surpassing posterolateral corners ('lobes') of head; with limited pubescence and numerous erect hairs. Pronotum smooth and shining with very weak, faded striations laterally. Anterior section of pronotum with transverse wrinkles and ridges. Mesonotum smooth and shining. Propodeum with angles produced as spines. Dorsum of propodeum rounded, sculptured with coarse transverse striations; erect hairs present. Metapleuron with coarse striations. Petiolar node with apical margin more or less concave and produced laterally as corners. Erect hairs on hind tibiae present on all surfaces. Colour from yellow-brown to brown, head from yellow to yellow-brown, antennae, mandibles and legs yellow.

Measurements. Worker (n = 8): CI 88–91; EI 26–30; EL 0.36–0.41; HL 1.52–1.61; HW 1.35–1.43; HFL 1.69–1.78; ML 2.01–2.16; MandL 0.74–0.88; MTL 1.18–1.25; PronI 58–61; PronW 0.79–0.85; SL 1.40–1.48; SI 102–105.