Epopostruma infuscocephala

Most collections of E. infuscocephala have come from extreme south-eastern Queensland and eastern New South Wales, with a single collection from central New South Wales at Bogan River. Habitats where it has been found include dry sclerophyll, sandstone scrub and scribbly gum, Eucalyptus maculata forest, dry sclerophyll near the ocean and a valley just below sandstone cliffs. Workers and nests have been encountered under rocks and small stones and in hard white clay. They have twice been found nesting under rocks with a common, similarly coloured Meranoplus species, a species which they mimic in colour.

Identification
This species is most similar to Epopostruma angulata and Epopostruma kangarooensis but differs in having the dorsal surface of the head infuscated reddish-brown and notably darker in color than the more lightly coloured pronotum. This species are also allopatric, E. infuscocephala occurring in Queensland and New South Wales while E. angulata and E. kangarooensis are known only from South Australia.

Key to Epopostruma Species

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  infuscocephala. Epopostruma infuscocephala Shattuck, in Bolton, 2000: 63 (w.q.) AUSTRALIA.

Description
In full face view the lateral margin of the head between the eye and the posterior corner divided by an angle. Pronotal spines present, narrowly triangular. Posterior section of metanotum in approximately the same plane as the dorsal face of propodeum, the junction of these plates a shallow depression. Posterior face of propodeum between bases of spines and propodeal lobes with flanges. Petiolar spines present, distinct. Anterior face of postpetiole similar in length to or shorter than the dorsal and posterior faces; sides of postpetiole approximately vertical and rounding gradually from dorsal to posterior surfaces; in dorsal view the posterolateral corners forming a thin, angular flange; Dorsum of petiole, postpetiole and gaster with numerous erect hairs, most with bent tips (especially on postpetiole and gaster). First gastral tergite distinctly sculptured and with a matte appearance, sculpturing consisting of scattered rugae over an indistinct background. Body colour dark yellow-red, with the dorsal surface of head infuscated reddish-brown and notably darker in color than the more lightly coloured pronotum; gaster generally lighter, yellow-red.

Measurements

Holotype worker. TL 3.9mm, HL 0.91mm, HW 0.86mm, CI 95, MandL 0.44mm, MandI 48, SL 0.53mm, SI 62, PronW 0.56mm, ML 1.01mm.

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.