Epopostruma quadrispinosa

Individuals of this species have been found in rock crevices, Eucalyptus leaf litter, soil and have been swept off low shrubs in the evening. They occur in dry sclerophyll, mallee woodland, saltbush and red soil-box-pine habitats and have been collected from central coastal Queensland south through New South Wales to south-central South Australia. Although they have not been recorded from Victoria it is likely that they do occur in the state. The type locality, Mackay, Queensland, is the northern-most record of this species.

Identification
Epopostruma quadrispinosa can be separated from others in the genus by the lack lateral extensions of the postpetiole, the presence of an anterior postpetiolar face which is much shorter than the dorsal face and posterolateral postpetiolar corners which are rounded (rather than angular or toothed), and by having the first gastral tergite delicately but distinctly sculptured and with a matte appearance (rather than being smooth and shiny).

Distribution
Heterick (2009) - In WA, Epopostruma quadrispinosa has been collected from near North Bannister in the JF district, near Shark Bay, at Madura (near the edge of the Nullarbor), and Kambalda (in the goldfields). Elsewhere, it occurs along the east coast of Australia.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  quadrispinosa. Strumigenys (Epopostruma) quadrispinosa Forel, 1895f: 422 (w.) AUSTRALIA. Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1973c: 212 (l.). Combination in Epopostruma: Forel, 1910b: 51. Senior synonym of ferruginea: Taylor, 1991b: 602. See also: Brown, 1948e: 120; Shattuck, in Bolton, 2000: 65.
 * ferruginea. Epopostruma quadrispinosa subsp. ferruginea Forel, 1910b: 51 (q.) AUSTRALIA. Raised to species: Brown, 1948e: 120. Junior synonym of quadrispinosa: Taylor, 1991b: 602.

Description
Shattuck (2000) - In full face view the lateral margin of the head between the eye and the posterior corner angular. Pronotal spines present, elongate. Posterior section of metanotum in approximately the same plane as the dorsal face of propodeum, the junction of these plates a very shallow depression. Posterior face of propodeum between bases of spines and propodeal lobes with thin flanges. Petiolar spines reduced to blunt protuberances or sharp angles, in some cases barely discernable from the surrounding sculpturing. Anterior face of postpetiole much shorter than dorsal face; sides of postpetiole approximately vertical and rounding gradually from dorsal to posterior surfaces; in dorsal view the posterolateral corners rounded. Dorsum of petiole, postpetiole and gaster with short, straight or gently curved erect hairs. First gastral tergite with fine, delicate sculpturing giving a matte appearance; gaster immediately behind attachment with gaster smooth. Body colour dark yellow-red to red-brown; with body lightly coloured, head is darker, red-brown; mandibles lighter, yellow-red; gaster uniformly coloured.

Measurements Worker (n=6): TL 3.1-3.8mm, HL 0.67-0.82mm, HW 0.61-0.74mm, CI 86-91, MandL 0.37-0.43mm, MandI 51-57, SL 0.42-0.52mm, SI 67-71, PronW 0.43-0.57mm, ML 0.80-1.05mm.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Forel A. 1895. Nouvelles fourmis d'Australie, récoltées à The Ridge, Mackay, Queensland, par M. Gilbert Turner. Ann. Soc. Entomol. Belg. 39: 417-428.
 * Heterick B. E. 2009. A guide to the ants of south-western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum Supplement 76: 1-206.
 * Taylor R. W. 1987. A checklist of the ants of Australia, New Caledonia and New Zealand (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization) Division of Entomology Report 41: 1-92.