Epopostruma lattini

Epopostruma lattini is known from two disjunct populations, one in southern Western Australia and the other in southern South Australia. It has been found at honey baits on trees in the evening and in leaf litter, in dry sclerophyll and mallee habitats.

Identification
This large, distinctive ant can be recognised by the distinctive head shape, the bispinose lateral postpetiolar margins, by having the area immediately above the eye angular but no toothed and in having the posterolateral margin of the postpetiole (immediately anterior of the gaster) strongly concave.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  lattini. Epopostruma lattini Shattuck, in Bolton, 2000: 60 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Description
Holotype worker. TL 5.2mm, HL 1.24mm, HW 1.28mm, CI 103, MandL 0.59mm, MandI 48, SL 0.71mm, SI 55, PronW 0.72mm, ML 1.27mm.

Area immediately above the eye angular. Pronotal spines present, long. Posterior section of metanotum and dorsal surface of the propodeum forming a continuous surface. Posterior face of propodeum between bases of spines and propodeal lobes with very narrow flanges with start below the bases of the spines. Petiolar spines present, long. Anterior face of postpetiole similar in length to or shorter than the dorsal face, the two faces joined by a broad convexity; sides of postpetiole expanded laterally in the form of distinct sharp teeth or spines; their lateral margins strongly concave; posterolateral margin (immediately anterior of gaster) strongly concave. Dorsum of petiole, postpetiole and gaster with numerous long, erect hairs, those on the mesosoma with strongly bent tips, those on petiole, postpetiole and gaster either straight or weakly arched. First gastral tergite and area immediately behind attachment with gaster smooth. Body colour dark yellow-red, ventral region of head, antennae, mandibles and legs lighter, gaster darker, brown.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Heterick B. E. 2009. A guide to the ants of south-western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum Supplement 76: 1-206.