Heteroponera trachypyx

Specimens have been collected by Berlese funnel sampling of rainforest leafmould or litter. Sympatric with Heteroponera rhodopygea at Mt Finnigan, Mt Sorrow and Thornton Range, and Heteroponera rhodopygea + Heteroponera viviennae in the Cape tribulation area and McDowall Range.

Identification
Taylor (2015) - Heteroponera trachypyx is less darkly colored and sculptured than the other H. ecarinata-group species. Head and mesosoma more-or-less uniformly medium-dark brown, the gaster, mandibles, antennae and legs a shade lighter. Coloration overall similar to the sympatric species Heteroponera rhodopygea and Heteroponera viviennae. Propodeal declivity shining, microsculpture distinct to vestigial, with very fine radial microstriae.

Variation in coloration suggests a prolonged callow to sub-callow period in workers.

Identification Keys including this Taxon

 * Key to Australian Heteroponera Species

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 * . Heteroponera trachypyx Taylor, 2015b: 174, figs. 42-45 (w.) AUSTRALIA (Queensland).
 * Type-material: holotype worker, paratype workers (number not stated).
 * Type-locality: holotype Australia: Queensland, McDowall Range, (16°06’S, 145°20’E), 680 m., 5.x.1982, QMBA berlesate 440 (G.B. Monteith, D.K. Yeates & G.I. Thompson); paratypes with same data.
 * [Note: several other localities are also provided, but there is no statement concerning which are paratypes, and no statement that all are paratypes; therefore only those from the type-locality are recorded here.]
 * Type-depositories: ANIC (holotype); ANIC, QMBA (paratypes).
 * Distribution: Australia.

Worker
(Holotype; smallest available specimen (12–mile Scrub), largest available specimen (Mt Sorrow summit)): TL (ca): 5.1, 4.4, 5.1; HW: 1.18, 1.11, 1.19; HL: 1.14, 1.06, 114; CI: 103, 104, 104; EL: 0.17, 0.16, 0.18; SL: 0.68, 0.61, 0.71; SI: 57, 57, 59; PW: 0.95, 0.84, 0.87; WL: 1.40, 1.40, 1.48; petH: 0.76, -, - ; petW: 0.48, 0.52, 0.50; GW 1.04, 1.03, 1.04.

Type Material
Australia: Queensland: McDowall Range (16°06'S, 145°20'E). Holotype. Paratypes ANIC,.

Etymology
The name, a noun in apposition, refers to the coarse sculpturation of the first gastral tergite.