Chelaner crinitus

Several workers have been collected from the colonies of other ant species, namely Pseudoneoponera and Myrmecia, but the biology of C. crinitus is unknown. The reduced number of ommatidia suggests to me that C. crinitus is largely fossorial. (Heterick 2001)

Identification
Heterick (2001) - Chelaner crinitus is one of the more widespread of the kilianii-group, most members of which are confined to the humid east coast of Australia. The worker is distinctive, with rather small eyes compared with other, similar-sized Chelaner and long, fine setulae. In some individuals the mesonotal suture is evident as a raised ridge.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  crinitus. Monomorium crinitum Heterick, 2001: 384, figs. 27, 87, 89 (w.q.m.) AUSTRALIA.
 * Combination in Chelaner: Sparks et al., 2019: 232.

Worker
Holotype. HML 2.16; HL 0.83; HW 0.67; Cel 81; SL 0.60; SI 90; PW 0.39. Others. HML 1.93-2.53; HL 0.69-0.91; HW 0.59-0.75; CeI 78-87; SL 0.47-0.61; SI 79-89; PW 0.36-0.48 (17 measured).

As for the worker of Chelaner kiliani, but with the following apomorphies.

Head. Head square or rectangular; (viewed laterally) compound eyes set at midline of head capsule. Anteromedial clypeal margin broadly and shallowly emarginate, median clypeal carinae absent. Longest lateral anterior clypeal setae moderate, reaching dorsal margin of closed mandibles. Posteromedial clypeal margin level with posterior surface of antenna! fossae. Palp formula 2,2. Maximum number of mandibular teeth and denticles: five; mandibles (viewed from front) triangular and smooth, with piliferous punctures; basal tooth usually enlarged.

Alitrunk. Promesonotal sculpture present in form of microreticulation, striolae and striae on the mesopleuron, and striolae on posterodorsal promesonotal surface; erect and suberect promesonotal setae absent. Propodeal sculpture present as uniform rugosity, with well defined costulae on declivitous face of propodeum; propodeal processes absent (propodeum smoothly rounded in profile or with slight hump at propodeal angle), or absent (propodeum angulate in profile). Propodeal angle absent, or present; declivitous face of propodeum longitudinally concave between its lateral margins. Erect and suberect propodeal setae greater than 10; propodeal setulae decumbent and subdecumbent.

Petiole and postpetiole. Petiolar spiracle lateral and positioned in pedicel well anteriad of petiolar node. Petiolar node conical, dorsally rounded; sculpture absent, petiolar node smooth and shining, or present in form of microreticulation. Ratio of greatest node breadth (viewed from front) to greatest node width (viewed in profile) near 1: 1. Anteroventral process distinct in some individuals as slender carina that tapers posteriad. Height-length ratio of postpetiole near 1:1 to near 3:4.

Gaster. Pilosity of first gastral tergite consisting mainly of decumbent and subdecumbent setulae.

General characters. Colour shining orange or yellow-orange, head, gaster and legs may be lighter than alitrunk. Worker caste monomorphic.

Queen
HML 2.17-2.54; HL 0.74-0.87; HW 0.67-0.68; Cel 87-91; SL 0.54-0.60; SI 79; PW 0.62-0.62 (2 measured).

Head. Head square or rectangular; vertex convex; frons striolate with decumbent and subdecumbent setulae of variable lengths. (Viewed laterally) compound eyes set anterior of midline of head capsule.

Alitrunk. Mesoscutum in profile evenly convex. Dorsal appearance of mesoscutum longitudinally striate. Propodeal sculpture present as uniform microreticulation, with few or no striae or costulae. Propodeal processes absent (propodeum angulate in profile). Erect and suberect propodeal setae greater than 10. Propodeal spiracle lateral and about midway between metanotal groove and declivitous face of propodeum.

Petiole and postpetiole. Petiolar node tumular and inclined anteriad; sculpture present; petiolar node rugose. Ratio of greatest node breadth (viewed from front) to greatest node width (viewed in profile) near 4:3. Anteroventral process a slender carina. Height ratio of petiole to postpetiole near 4:3; height-length ratio of postpetiole near 4:3. Sculpture present; postpetiole rugose; ventral process absent or vestigial.

Gaster. Pilosity of first gastral tergite consisting mainly of decumbent and subdecumbent setulae.

General characters. Colour orange. Brachypterous alates not seen. Ergatoid or worker-female intercastes not seen.

Male
HML 1.95; HL 0.55; HW 0.54; Cel 98; SL 0.17; SI 32; PW 0.60 (1 measured).

Head. Ratio of length of first funicular segment of antenna to length of second funicular segment near 1: 1. Maximum number of mandibular teeth and denticles: three.

Alitrunk. Dorsal appearance of mesoscutum finely microreticulate; notauli absent. Axillae separated by distance more than half greatest width of scutellum.

Petiole and postpetiole. Petiolar spiracle lateral and in anterior sector of petiolar node. Sculpture present in form of microreticulation; ratio of greatest node breadth (viewed from front) to greatest node width (viewed in profile) near 1: 1. Ventral lobe always absent. Height-length ratio of postpetiole near 1: 1; sculpture present in form of microreticulation.

Gaster. Pilosity of first gastral tergite consisting mainly of decumbent and subdecumbent setulae.

General characters. Colour chocolate.

Type Material
Holotype. Worker, New South Wales, Mt Conobolas [ = Canobolas] near Orange, 4.iii.1969, R.W. T[aylor] & R, J. Bartell, c. 4200 ft, nest under stones, dry sclera., R. W. Taylor 69.62, ANIC ants vial 6.49. Paratypes. New South Wales: 1 queen and 6 workers, with same data as holotype (ANIC). Australian Capital Territory: 3x3 workers, Mt Aggie, 5.xi.1966, R. W. T[aylor], C. 4700 ft., wet sclero. (1 pin, 2 pins ). South Australia: I worker, 3 miles E of Norwood, Adelaide Hills, 500 ft, valley, dry sclerophyll, in gallery of Bothroponera (BMNH).



Etymology
Latin: “long-haired”.

Determination Clarifications
Chelaner kilianii was recorded by J. Clark from Booanya, in the south-east of WA, and from Ludlow, on the south-west coast, but these ancient records must be regarded as doubtful, in view of the ant’s known distribution in the generally more humid south-eastern corner of Australia.