Heteroponera pendergrasti

Known only from Lamb Range, the northern rampart of the Atherton Tableland. H. pendergrasti is possibly endemic there.

Identification
Taylor (2015) - Characterized in the H. ecarinata species complex by heavy sculpturation, dark blackish color, with dark brown legs and antennae, and distinguished from the similar Heteroponera ecarinata by differences in sculpturation (particularly of the frons and second gastral tergite), coloration and structure of the petiolar node. Fore-coxae and posterior surface of node superficially microsculptured; propodeal declivity shining, with weak, superficial dorsally-directed radial striae; its sides distinctly sculpturally bordered, the posterolateral edge in profile micro-serrate as a result of minutely extended cuticular points along the sculptural border. Sculpturation of second gastral tergite more distinctly longitudinally deployed than in H. ecarinata (refer Figs).

Identification Keys including this Taxon

 * Key to Australian Heteroponera Species

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 * . Heteroponera pendergrasti Taylor, 2015b: 176, figs. 50-53 (w.) AUSTRALIA (Queensland).
 * Type-material: holotype worker, 10 paratype workers.
 * Type-locality: holotype Australia: Queensland, NE Lamb Range (11 km. SE Mareeba), -17 06, 145 34, 1200 m., 11.xi.1988, QMBA berlesates 804, 822, rainforest moss (G.B. Monteith & G.I. Thompson); paratypes: 4 workers with same data, 1 worker Lamb Range, Mt Tiptree, -17 03, 145 37, 13.vi.1984 (B. Halliday), 1 worker as last but 900 m., 29.vi.1971 (R.W. Taylor & J.D. Feehan), 1 worker as last but -17 03, 145 38, 730 m., 29.vi.1971 (R.W. Taylor & J.D. Feehan), 2 workers Lamb Range, Mt Edith, -17 06, 145 37, 1140 m., 11.x.1982, QMBA berlesate 465 (G.B. Monteith, D.K Yeates & G.I. Thompson), 1 worker Upper Isley Creek, -17 03, 145 41, 750 m., 29.xi.1993 (G.B. Monteith & Janetzski).
 * [Note: the holotype is mentioned in the text for two localities, (1) Mt Edith, 11.x.1982, and (2) NE Lamb Range, 11.xi.1988; as the latter is cited as the type-locality this specimen is assumed to be the holotype.]
 * Type-depositories: ANIC (holotype); ANIC, QMBA (paratypes).
 * Distribution: Australia.

Worker
(Holotype; smallest available specimen, largest available specimen (both Mt): TL (ca): 5.1, 4.8, 5.1; HW: 1.23, 1.18, 1.23; HL: 1.19, 1.17, 1.18; CI: 103, 100, 104; EL: 0.16, 0.16, 1.18; SL: 0.71, 0.69, 0.70; SI: 57, 58, 57; PW: 0.86, 0.86, 0.90;WL: 1.54, 1.49, 1.58; petH: 0.85, 0.79, 0.90; petW: 0.46, 0.47, 0.47; GW 0.99, 0.96, 1.03.

Type Material
Australia: Queensland: NE Lamb Range (11 km SE Mareeba), -17 06, 145 34. Holotype. Paratypes in ANIC,.

Etymology
Named for Professor J.G. (Jim) Pendergrast of Auckland, New Zealand, my first teacher in Zoology at both High School and (in a later position) at The University of Auckland, where he supervised my M.Sc. degree.