Leptomyrmex aitchisoni

This is a relatively common and widespread species in north-eastern NSW and south-eastern Queensland. It is found in a range of forest habitats from wet sclerophyll to rainforest, where it nests under stones.

Identification
Head relatively elongate (CI less than 79); antennal scape relatively long (SI > 170) and extending beyond the vertex of the head by greater than half their length; pilosity short adpressed hairs; palps relatively short, failing to reach the posterior of the head capsule. (Smith and Shattuck 2009)

Identification Keys including this Taxon

 * Key to Australian Leptomyrmex Species

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  aitchisoni. Leptomyrmex aitchisoni Smith, D.J. & Shattuck, 2009: 59, figs. 1-3, 19-21 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Worker
Vertex of head flat to weakly concave, corners rounded, sides of head almost straight, head widest at the midlength. Scape long, surpassing the vertex by distinctly more than half their length. Medial hypostoma distinctly notched. Palps relatively short, extending about ¾ of the length of the head capsule, formula 6:4. Mesonotum without a raised anterior region, propodeum with short dorsum. Legs long. Hind tibial spurs with reduced barbules (barbules shorter than the width of the shaft), absent from basal ¼. Scale present, ridged with a distinct angle dorsally, in profile moderately angular, strongly inclined anteriorly, anterior and posterior faces about equal in length. Head, mandibles and mesosoma uniformly light to dark brown in colour, legs and antennae paler, gaster darker.

Measurements. Worker (n = 63) - CI 65–74; EL 0.17–0.25; HL 0.79–0.96; HW 0.56–0.65; MTL 0.71–1.08; SI 197–216; SL 1.12–1.32; WL 1.20–1.58.

Etymology
This species has been named after Mr. Ron Aitchison. Mr. Ray Huetter sponsored this patronymic through the Australian Museum’s Immortals Project.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Smith D. J., and S. Shattuck. 2009. Six new, unusually small ants of the genus Leptomyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 2142: 57-68.