Epopostruma avicula

This species is known from a limited number of wet forested sites in south-east Australia.

Identification
The distinctly bicoloured gaster combined with the solid wing-like extensions on the postpetiole will allow separation of this species from close relatives.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  avicula. Epopostruma avicula Shattuck, in Bolton, 2000: 57, figs. 59, 71, 86 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Description
In full face view the lateral margin of the head between the eye and the posterior corner with an indistinct angle. Pronotal spines present, distinct. Posterior section of metanotum in approximately the same plane as the dorsal face of propodeum, the junction of these plates a shallow depression, the dorsal face of the propodeum convex. Posterior face of propodeum between bases of spines and propodeal lobes with flanges. Petiolar spines varying from indistinct and essentially absent to short, indistinct angles. Anterior face of postpetiole shorter than the dorsal face and separated from it by a broadly rounded convexity; sides of postpetiole expanded laterally in the form of thin, solid wings, their outer margins flat or weakly convex; posterolateral margin of postpetiole (immediately anterior of gaster) flat to weakly convex. Dorsum of petiole, postpetiole and gaster with numerous elongate erect hairs, the majority of which are bend near their tips. First gastral tergite smooth; gaster immediately behind attachment with gaster with a very narrow band of short longitudinal rugae. Body colour yellow-red to brown with yellow-red mandibles and legs; dorsal surface of head slightly darker than body when body yellow-red, similar in colour to body when body brown, sometimes with a small infuscated spot in central region; gaster with anterior one-quarter to one-third yellow, contrasting with the dark red-brown posterior section.

Measurements

Holotype worker. TL 3.8mm, HL 0.82mm, HW 0.83mm, CI 101, MandL 0.42mm, MandI 51, SL 0.49mm, SI 59, PronW 0.52mm, ML 0.99mm.

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.