Epopostruma angela

This rare species is known from only a handful of collections, one consisting of a nest in dry leaf litter in a medium sclerophyll woodland.

The northern specimens of this species are slightly larger and darker than the single specimen known from southern New South Wales but are otherwise similar. Given the limited amount of presently available material it is difficult to assess the significance of these differences and all specimens are tentatively assumed to represent a single slightly variable species.

Identification
Posterior section of metanotum in approximately the same plane as the dorsal face of propodeum so that the junction of these plates is either indistinct or in the form of a shallow trough or depression. Sides of postpetiole vertical medially (not expanded laterally), with blunt angles anteriorly and the posterior corners drawn lateral into broadly rounded spines or teeth, in dorsal view outer margins concave. Dorsum of petiole, postpetiole and gaster with numerous erect hairs.

Key to Epopostruma Species

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  angela. Epopostruma angela Shattuck, in Bolton, 2000: 57, figs. 58, 72, 87 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Description
In full face view the lateral margin of the head between the eye and the posterior corner angular. Pronotal spines distinct. Posterior section of metanotum in approximately the same plane as the dorsal face of propodeum so that the junction of these plates is either indistinct or in the form of a shallow trough or depression. Posterior face of propodeum between bases of spines and propodeal lobes with flanges. Petiolar spines present, distinct. Anterior face of postpetiole approximately the same length as the dorsal face, the two faces separated by a broad, rounded angle; sides of postpetiole vertical medially (not expanded laterally), with blunt angles anteriorly and the posterior corners drawn lateral into broadly rounded spines or teeth, in dorsal view outer margins concave; posterolateral margin of postpetiole (immediately anterior of gaster) weakly concave. Dorsum of petiole, postpetiole and gaster with numerous erect hairs. First gastral tergite smooth, the area immediately behind attachment with gaster with short, longitudinal rugae. Body colour dark red-brown, appendages slightly lighter; dorsal surface of head uniform dark red-brown; gaster yellow-red, sometimes the posterior region of first tergite with an ill-defined infuscated band.

Measurements

Holotype worker. TL 3.9mm, HL 0.87mm, HW 0.84mm, CI 97, MandL 0.49mm, MandI 56, SL 0.53mm, SI 63, PronW 0.55mm, ML 1.01mm.

CI (cephalic index) - HW/HL X 100. HL (head length) - The length of the head capsule excluding the mandibles, measured in full face view in a straight line from the mid point of the anterior clypeal margin to the mid point of the occipital margin. In species where one or both of these margins is concave the measurement is taken from the mid point of a transverse line that spans the apices of the projecting portions. HW (head width) - The maximum width of the head in full face view, excluding the eyes. MandI (mandibular index) - ML/HL X 100. MandL (mandible length) - The straight line length of the mandible at full closure, measured in the same plane for which the HL measurement is taken (i.e. full face view), from the mandibular apex to the anterior clypeal margin, or to the transverse line connecting the anteriormost points in those taxa where the margin is concave medially. ML (mesosomal length) (= Weber's length) - The diagonal length of the mesosoma in profile from the point at which the pronotum meets the cervical shield to the posterior basal angle of the metapleuron. PronW (pronotal width) - The maximum width of the pronotum in dorsal view. (Projecting spines, tubercles or other cuticular prominences at the pronotal humeral angles are ignored.) SI (scape index) - SL/HW X 100. SL (scape length) - The maximum straight line length of the scape, excluding the basal constriction or neck that occurs just distal of the condylar bulb. TL (total length) - The total outstretched length of the ant from the mandibular apex to the gastral apex; when measured in profile the sum of ML + HL + ML + lengths of waist segments + length of gaster.