Technomyrmex nitens

Most material examined was obtained by litter sampling or in pitfall traps. However, some specimens were collected by pyrethrum knock-down from trees (including the holotype), which indicates that this species forages as extensively as many others in the genus. (Bolton 2007)

Identification
Bolton (2007) - A member of the T. sophiae complex in the Technomyrmex albipes group.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  nitens. Technomyrmex nitens Bolton, 2007a: 115, fig. 65 (w. w-q intercaste) AUSTRALIA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.9, HL 0.68. HW 0.64, SL 0.66, PW 0.45, WL 0.92. Indices: CI 94, SI 103,0127, EPI 94, DTI 129.

Answering the description of Technomyrmex sophiae but the head with fewer setae. In particular, in profile the dorsum of the head lacks setae between the longest pair and the posterior margin (as in sophiae the longest pair is located just less than the length of the maximum diameter of the eye from the posterior margin of the head); with head tilted slightly back from full-face view the posterior margin lacks setae. Colour of funiculi and legs different from sophiae: first funicular segment lighter in colour than segments 2 - 5; middle and hind coxae yellow, strikingly lighter in colour than the mesosoma; hind femur not uniformly coloured, instead yellow basally, the same colour as the trochanter.

Other workers. TL 2.7 - 3.1, HL 0.64 - 0.70, HW 0.58 - 0.64, SL 0.58 - 0.68, PW 0.41 - 0.47, WL 0.80 - 0.94 (10 measured). Indices: CI 90 - 95, SI 95 - 108, 0126 28, EPI 94 – 100, DTI 124 - 136. As holotype but one worker from Mt Finnigan has the middle and hind coxae darker than in the other two specimens on the same pin and its first funicular segment is not as obviously lighter than segments 2 - 5 as in other workers. The eyes of nitens appear to be somewhat larger than either sophiae or Technomyrmex furens, with nitens OI 26 - 28, as opposed to OI 22 - 23 in furens and OI 23 - 25 in sophiae. See also notes under sophiae.

Type Material
Holotype worker (upper specimen of two on pin), Australia: N. Queensland, Hugh Nelson Ra., 2.5 km. S. Crater N.P., 1100 m., 5.xii.1988, pyrethrum logs trees (Monteith & Thompson). Paratypes. 1 worker-queen intercaste (lower specimen on same pin as holotype); 5 workers and 1 worker-queen intercaste, Australia: NE. Queensland, Mt Hemmant, 6 km. SW Cape Tribulation, 25.iv.1983, QM Berlesate No. 541, 16.07 S, 145.25 E, rainforest, 880 m., seived litter (G.B. Monteith & D. Cook) (ANIC).