Heteroponera majeri

This species is so far known only from type material. It is the only species of the genus to occur in Western Australia.

Identification
Heteroponera majeri is one of the most highly distinctive of all Heteroponera species. The major features distinguishing it from Heteroponera leae and Heteroponera crozieri include the very differently structured head, mesosoma and metasoma.

The species-group association of this somewhat aberrant taxon with Heteroponera leae and Heteroponera crozieri is based on the reasonable assumption that the propodeal and petiolar spines, vestigial antennal scrobes and strongly reflexed gaster in these species are synapomorphies.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  majeri. Heteroponera majeri Taylor, R.W. 2011: 122, figs. 13-16 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Holotype and paratype workers from Dwellingup (32°43'S; 116°04'E), ca. 85 km S of Perth, southwest Western Australia. Holotype in ANIC, gold coated for SEM study; paratypes in J.D. Majer collection for future deposit in WAMP.

Description
Measurements and indices: (mm – holotype; smal¬lest paratype, largest paratype): TL (ca.): 6.0; 5.4, 6.4. HW: 1.37; 1.26, 1.49. HL: 1.47; 1.28, 1.48. CI: 93; 98, 100. EL: 0.29; 0.26, 0.30. SL: 1.04; 0.94, 1.07. SI: 76; 75, 72. PW: 0.90; 0.81, 0.98. WL: 1.79; 1.56, 1.94. PetH: 0.78; 0.71, not measurable. PetW: 0.44; 0.39, 0.48; GW: 1.24; 1.05, 1.29.