Chelaner shattucki

As with several other Australian rainforest Monomorium, this species appears to have a restricted distribution, and is known from one collection from Cape Tribulation (Heterick 2001).

Identification
Heterick (2001) - A member of the kilianii group. Monomorium shattucki is very similar to the more widespread Monomorium petiolatum, but differs in the shape of the nodes, the length of the petiolar peduncle and the position of the petiolar spiracle.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  shattucki. Monomorium shattucki Heterick, 2001: 388, figs. 29, 79 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Worker
Holotype. HML 2.15; HL 0.68; HW 0.59; Cel 86; SL 0.61; SI 104; PW 0.41. Others. HML 2.09-2.39; HL 0.66-0.74; HW 0.56-0.64; Cel 83-88; SL 0.52-0.64; SI 96-106; PW 0.40-0.49 (12 measured).

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

Head. Head rounded; vertex slightly concave. Anteromedial clypeal margin straight or slightly emarginate, median clypeal carinae not produced as teeth or denticles. Posteromedial clypeal margin level with posterior surface of antennal fossae. Palp formula 2,2. Maximum number of mandibular teeth and denticles: four; mandibles (viewed from front) triangular and smooth, with piliferous punctures.

Alitrunk. Mesonotal suture absent. Metanotal groove present as feebly impressed furrow between promesonotum and propodeum. 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 >5; propodeal setulae absent.

Petiole and postpetiole. Petiolar spiracle lateral and slightly anteriad of petiolar node. Petiolar node conical, dorsally rounded. Ratio of greatest node breadth (viewed from front) to greatest node width (viewed in profile) near 1:1 to near 3:4. Height ratio of petiole to postpetiole near 1:1 to near 4:3.

Gaster. Pilosity of first gastral tergite consisting entirely of well-spaced erect and suberect setae.

Type Material
Holotype. Worker, Queensland, 2 km W of Cape Tribulation (site 4) 16°05'S, 145°28'E, 21.iv.1983, G. B. Monteith & D. K. Yeates, berlesate no. 528, rainforest, 200m, sieved litter. Paratype. Queensland: 7 workers and 2 ergatoids, same data as holotype (1 pin each to ANIC, and ).



Etymology
Named in honor of Dr. Steve Shattuck, CSIRO, Canberra.