Chelaner ravenshoensis

A species represented by a few type workers, nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Heterick (2001) - The combination of a large eye and a strongly flattened promesonotum is distinctive among members of the rubriceps-group and is diagnostic for the species.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  ravenshoense. Monomorium ravenshoense Heterick, 2001: 435, figs. 42, 114 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Worker
Holotype. HML 3.28; HL 1.13; HW 0.99; CeI 88; SL 0.90; SI 91; PW 0.63. Others. HML 3.47; HL 1.20; HW 1.09; CeI 91; SL 0.92; SI 84; PW 0.68 (1 measured).

As for the worker of Monomorium rubriceps, but with the following apomorphies.

Head. Head square or rectangular; vertex planar; frons smooth and shining with combination of appressed setulae and erect and suberect setae. Compound eyes circular or subcircular; eye large, eye width greater than l.5x greatest width of antennal scape. Antennal club gradually tapering and barely discernible. Anteromedial clypeal margin convex, straight or slightly emarginate, median clypeal carinae indistinct. Mandibles (viewed from front) triangular and striate, with piliferous punctures.

Alitrunk. Dorsal promesonotal face evenly flattened; setulae decumbent and subdecumbent. Mesonotal suture absent. Metanotal groove present as feebly impressed furrow between promesonotum and propodeum. Dorsal propodeal face gently convex; processes present on posterior propodeal angles as small denticles or sharp flanges. Propodeal angle present; length ratio of dorsal face to declivitous face near 2:1 to near 4:3; declivitous face of propodeum flat. Erect and suberect propodeal setae >5. Propodeal spiracle lateral and nearer declivitous face of propodeum than metanotal groove.

Petiole and postpetiole. Petiolar node cuneate, dorsally rounded; sculpture absent, petiolar node smooth and shining. Anteroventral process absent or vestigial in specimens seen. Height ratio of petiole to postpetiole near 1:1 to near 4:3; height-length ratio of postpetiole near 2:1. Ventral process absent or vestigial.

General characters. Colour russet with darker areas of infuscation, gaster dark brown, tending to black apically. Worker caste monomorphic.

Etymology
Named after the NE Queensland town of Ravenshoe.