Chelaner majeri

One of the two type collections of this species was made in mallee.

Identification
Heterick (2001) - A member of the bicorne group. Chelaner majeri appears to have a very localized distribution in the Murchison area, where it occurs sympatrically with the rather similar Chelaner striatifrons. When compared with the latter species, C. majeri can readily be distinguished by its larger eye, and the characters of the alitrunk, nodes and gaster listed above.

Heterick (2009) - A large, for Chelaner, reddish species.

Distribution
This species is known to have a very limited distribution east of Geraldton, Western Australia (Heterick, 2009).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  majeri. Monomorium majeri Heterick, 2001: 372, figs. 23, 54 (w.) AUSTRALIA.
 * Combination in Chelaner: Sparks et al., 2019: 233.

Worker
Holotype. HML 4.86; HL 1.87; HW 1.78; Cei 95; SL 1.09; SI 61; PW 0.95. Other. HML4.67-5.00; HL 1.75-1.99; HW 1.75-1.92; Cel 93-104; SL 1.06-1.17; SI 57-63; PW 0.69-0.90 (14 measured).

As for the worker of Chelaner striatifrons, but with the following apomorphies.

Head. Head cordate; vertex strongly concave; frons microreticulate and striolate with erect and suberect setae. Compound eyes ovoid; eye large, eye width greater than 1.5 x greatest width of antennal scape. Median clypeal carinae produced apically as pair of pronounced teeth. Basal mandibular tooth not enlarged.

Alitrunk. Promesonotal sculpture present in form of uniform microreticulation with few mesopleural striolae. Propodeal sculpture present as uniform microreticulation, with few or no striae or costulae; propodeal processes absent (propodeum angulate in profile), or present on posterior propodeal angles as small denticles or sharp flanges. Propodeal angle absent, or present; declivitous face of propodeum flat. Erect and suberect propodeal setae >5.

Petiole. Petiolar node tumular and inclined posteriad; sculpture present in form ofmicroreticulation. Anteroventral process always present as pronounced spur. Height ratio of petiole to postpetiole near 4:3; height-length ratio of postpetiole near 3:4.

Gaster. Pilosity of first gastral tergite consisting of combination of appressed setulae and longer, erect and suberect setae.

General characters. Colour of alitrunk, petiole and postpetiole reddish-orange to crimson, head darker (frons anteriorly infuscated in some individuals), gaster, antennae, and legs dark red-brown. Worker caste monomorphic.

Type Material
Holotype. Worker (top point), Western Australia, Tardun, 90 miles E Geraldton, 22.v.1963, C. T. Mercovich, mallee 400ft, ANIC vial66-54. Paratypes. Western Australia: 2 workers, same data as holotype (ANIC); 3 workers, “Woongowdy” [ = Wongoondy], 19.v.l963, C. T. Mercovich, ANIC vial no. 66-55 (MCZ).



Etymology
Named in honour of Dr Jonathan Majer, of the School of Environmental Science, Curtin University of Technology, Western Australia.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * CSIRO Collection