Mesostruma turneri

This rare species has been collected only once and is the northern most species known in the genus.

Identification
This species can be separated from the similar Mesostruma inornata by the evenly spaced, elongate rugae over fine microreticulations on the first gastral tergite immediately posterior of the postpetiolar insertion (in M. turneri this area has irregular, very short rugae overlying the smooth integument) and the essentially square head (CI 96 – 103, the head is elongate (CI < 95) in M. turneri''),

Key to Mesostruma Species

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  turneri. Strumigenys (Epopostruma) turneri Forel, 1895f: 424 (w.) AUSTRALIA. Combination in Epopostruma: Emery, 1924d: 330; in Mesostruma: Brown, 1948e: 119. See also: Taylor, 1973: 32; Shattuck, in Bolton, 2000: 52.

Syntype workers, AUSTRALIA: Queensland, Mackay (G. Turner) (MHN,, (1W), ) [examined by Shattuck, 2000].

Worker
Shattuck (2000) - TL 3.0 - 4.0, HL 0.75 - 0.86, HW 0.72 - 0.89, CI 96 - 103, ML 0.32 - 0.38, MI 43 - 45, SL 0.40 - 0.46, SI 53 - 56, PW 0.47 - 0.57, AL 0.81 - 0.96 (6 measured). Head essentially square (CI 96 - 103). In dorsal view the anterolateral corners of pronotum rounded. Dorsum of mesosoma with dense, shallow foveolate punctures which are generally spaced less than their width apart, and with the area between the punctures covered with weak but distinct sculpturing. Propodeal lamellae broad, the dorsal margins weakly convex, the posterior margins weakly concave, the angles between these margins slightly less than 90 degrees. Sculpturing on the metaplerual gland bulb punctate with several weak rugae ventrally. Lateral surfaces of postpetiole with well developed wings. First gastral segment immediately posterior of the postpetiole with evenly spaced, elongate rugae and fine microreticulations. Body colour honey yellow, the dorsum of the head slightly darker.