Myrmecina wesselensis

This species is known from a single worker collected foraging on the ground at night from the Wessel Islands, Northern Territory, Australia.

Identification
Shattuck (2009) - Erect hairs on gaster (and most on mesonotum) strongly curved so their tips are nearly parallel with the surface of the body. These short, curved hairs are unique among the Australian fauna and will separate this species from all others.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  wesselensis. Myrmecina wesselensis Shattuck, 2009a: 21, figs. 44-46, 52 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Worker
Antennal scapes smooth. First segment of funiculus cone-shaped. Sides of head behind compound eyes smooth. Sculpturing on dorsal surface of mesosoma running longitudinally and generally with the central carina (or carinae) running nearly the length (the pronotum not differentiated from the mesonotum). Dorsal and lateral surfaces of mesosoma separated by an indistinct angle or ridge which interrupts or breaks the mesosomal sculpturing. Metanotal spines reduced, small. Propodeal spines long. Erect hairs on gaster (and most on mesonotum) strongly curved so their tips are nearly parallel with the surface of the body. Colour dark brown-black, antennae, mandibles, legs and tip of gaster yellow-red.

(n = 1) — CI 100; HL 0.68; HW 0.68; MTL 0.34; SI 81; SL 0.55; WL 0.77.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * CSIRO Collection
 * Shattuck S. O. 2009. A revision the Australian species of the ant genus Myrmecina (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 2146: 1-21.