Meranoplus convexius

Distributed from the Murray-Darling Basin to SE Queensland.

Identification
Schödl (2007) - M. convexius together with Meranoplus naitsabes and Meranoplus digitatus forms a cluster within the diversus-group. They all show a similar clypeal structure but may be separated by the different shape and surface of the promesonotal shield, in addition with the size of the eyes.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  convexius. Meranoplus convexius Schödl, 2007: 382, figs. 26, 27, 65, 84 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 5.55, HL 1.43, HW 1.53, FC 1.23, CS 1.48, SL 0.80, SI1 52, SI2 54, PML 1.13, PW 1.38, PMD 1.50, PMI2 109, ML 1.35, PTLL 0.43, PTLH 0.55, PTDW 0.53, PPLL 0.43, PPLH 0.59, PPI 72, PPDW 0.53, PT/PP 100.

Mandible with three teeth. In full face view the clypeus anteriorly a strongly vaulted, rugulose to carinulate projection, which markedly exceeds the anterolateral frontal corners; with its anterior margin concave and the anterolateral corners acutely directed antero-ventrad. Head only moderately wider than long (CI 107), preoccipital margin shallowly though markedly concave. Frontal carinae sinuately narrowed towards clypeus (FI 124). Antennal scrobe distinctly surpassing middle of lateral sides of head, anteriorly glossy, distinctly transversely carinulate at rear, posteriorly well demarcated from remainder of head. Genae and ventrolateral sides of head rugose, preoccipital lobes reticulate. Eyes small (EL 0.24, REL 0.16, with 15 ommatidia in the longest row), situated in front of middle of lateral sides of head, dorsal ocular margin not reaching ventral scrobal margin. Head in posterior half distinctly reticulate, inbetween ridges of rugo-reticulation shiny.

Promesonotal shield wider than long (PMI 122), rather flat, distinctly translucently margined, provided with well developed projections concealing lateral sides of mesosoma and propodeal declivity, invisible from above. Propodeal spines long in relation to body size (PSL 0.61) situated above middle of length of declivity, robust and acute, moderately diverging and slightly arcuate when seen from above.

Petiole in lateral view higher than long (PTI 77), with anterior face straight, meeting strongly convex posterior face in an acute angle. Postpetiole nodiform with a small antero-basal tooth.

Gaster entirely microreticulate, basally with additional carinulae. Surface covered with evenly distributed pilosity consisting of shorter decumbent and longer more or less erect arcuate stiff hairs.

Distinctly bicolored with the gaster and appendages brown and remainder of body dark-brown.

(n = 10). TL 5.78 5.35-6.35, HL 1.38-1.60, HW 1.48-1.83, FC 1.20-1.38, FI 123-135, CI 106-115, CS 1.43-1.71, SL 0.75-0.84, SI1 44-52, SI2 47-54, PML 1.05-1.25, PW 1.30-1.53, PMI 120-129, PMD 1.40-1.63, PMI2 107-111, ML 1.25-1.43, PSL 0.58-0.68, PTLL 0.40-0.48, PTLH 0.55-0.64, PTI 65-77, PTDW 0.53-0.63, PPLL 0.40-0.48, PPLH 0.55-0.64, PPI 69-77, PPDW 0.51-0.63, PT/PP 95-104, EL 0.22-0.26, REL 0.15-0.17, with 14-17 ommatidia in the longest row.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Queensland: 'SEQ:25°34'Sx151°42'E Wetheron, 3 km SW, O/F 27 Jan -2 Jun 1999 Monteith & Thompson 150m. pitfall 7718'. Paratypes. 2 workers, same data as holotype (QMBA, ).

Etymology
The name refers to the strongly vaulted clypeus.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Schödl S. 2007. Revision of Australian Meranoplus: the Meranoplus diversus group. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 80: 370-424.