Chelaner draculai

Monomorium draculai is known only from a few workers taken on Mt Lewis in northern Queensland. Label data suggests this may be an arboreal species. (Heterick 2001)

Identification
Heterick (2001) - A member of the rubriceps group. The morphology of the postpetiole, the thickened femora, and the shape of the metapleural lobes enable M. draculai to be placed in the M. rubriceps species-complex, despite its singular appearance.

This spectacular species is remarkable for its smooth and elongate clypeal teeth produced as sharp spines. Among Australian “Chelaner” this feature is shared only with Monomorium parantarcticum.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  draculai. Monomorium draculai Heterick, 2001: 423, figs. 47, 86, 88 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Worker
Holotype. HML 2.40; HL 0.80; HW 0.68; Cel 83; SL 0.62; SI 92; PW 0.46. Others. HML 2.34-2.88; HL 0.79-0.93; HW 0.66-0.85; CeI 83-101; SL 0.59-0.69; SI 76-90; PW 0.41-0.48 (8 measured).

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

Head. Head square or rectangular; vertex convex; frons smooth and shining with combination of appressed setulae and erect and suberect setae. (Viewed laterally) compound eyes set posterior of midline of head capsule; eye moderate, eye width 0.5-1.5x greatest width of antennal scape to large, eye width greater than 1.5 x greatest width of antennal scape. Anteromedial clypeal margin emarginate, clypeal carinae produced as two elongate, parallel spines. Mandibles (viewed from front) triangular and smooth, with piliferous punctures.

Alitrunk. Metanotal groove present as feebly impressed furrow between promesonotum and propodeum. Dorsal propodeal face gently convex; processes absent (propodeum smoothly rounded in profile or with slight hump at propodeal angle). Propodeal angle absent; declivitous face of propodeum flat. Erect and suberect propodeal setae 5-10; propodeal setulae appressed.

Petiole and postpetiole. Petiolar spiracle lateral and slightly anteriad of petiolar node. Petiolar node tumular and inclined posteriad; sculpture absent, petiolar node smooth and shining. Ratio of greatest node breadth (viewed from front) to greatest node width (viewed in profile) near 3:4. Height-length ratio of postpetiole near 4:3 to near 1:1.

General characters. Colour of head, gaster and appendages shining orange, petiole and postpetiole darker orange, alitrunk shining maroon. Worker caste monomorphic.

Type Material
Holotype. Worker (top point), Queensland, 2.5 km N Mt Lewis via Julatten, 3.xi.1983, D. K. Yeates & G. I. Thompson, 1040 m, pyrethrum knockdown, R. F., ANIC ants vial 40-213. Paratypes. Queensland: 2x2 workers, same data as the holotype (ANIC, ); 3 workers, Mt Lewis, 6.viii.1975, B. B. Lowery, 2000 ft, on tree.



Etymology
Proper name, inspired by the spinose clypeal teeth.