Pseudonotoncus hirsutus

Pseudonotoncus hirsutus appears to be a more generalist species than Pseudonotoncus eurysikos. Pseudonotoncus hirsutus can be found along most of the east coast of Australia, with most samples coming from rainforest and wet sclerophyll forests, generally close to the coast. It is likely that this species prefers higher rainfall and more stable temperatures than P. eurysikos. It has been found primarily within dense forests. (Shattuck and O'Reilly 2013)

Identification
Shattuck and O'Reilly (2013) - Petiole broader than long in dorsal view; in lateral view much higher than long and with the anterior face separated from the flat dorsal face by a rounded angle. Dorsal surface of petiole smooth or with small foveate depressions. Pseudonotoncus hirsutus  is similar to Pseudonotoncus eurysikos in all respects except the size and structure of the petiole.


 * Petiole approximately square in dorsal view; in lateral view almost as long as high, the anterior face rounding gradually into the domed dorsal face. Dorsal surface of petiole with course longitudinal rugae . . . . . Pseudonotoncus eurysikos


 * Petiole broader than long in dorsal view; in lateral view much higher than long, the anterior face separated from the flat dorsal face by a rounded angle. Dorsal surface of petiole smooth or with small foveate depressions . . . . . Pseudonotoncus hirsutus

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Biology
Clark (1934) - A small colony under a log. On being disturbed they instantly rolled themselves up and lay motionless.

Nomenclature

 *  hirsutus. Pseudonotoncus hirsutus Clark, 1934c: 65, pl. 4, figs. 23, 24 (w.q.) AUSTRALIA. Senior synonym of turneri: Shattuck & O'Reilly, 2013: 291.
 * turneri. Pseudonotoncus turneri Donisthorpe, 1937a: 619, figs. 1, 2 (w.) AUSTRALIA. Junior synonym of hirsutus: Shattuck & O'Reilly, 2013: 291.

Worker
Shattuck and O'Reilly (2013) - Body uniform chocolate brown. Paler specimens generally with a darker gaster. Head in frontal view with sides tapering slightly anteriorly, as wide as long. Mandibles with six teeth, the first, second and fourth larger than the remaining. Clypeus with a central carina, tapering anteriorly into a central tooth. Frontal carinae short and sharply margined. Eyes large, convex, positioned one third from the posterior margin of head, one and a half times longer than wide. Ocelli small but distinct. Scapes extending one third their length beyond the posterior margin of head. Mesosoma strongly rugose-punctate, the rugae distinctly longitudinal laterally and on the mesonotum, less distinctly on the pronotum and propodeum. In dorsal view pronotum transversely convex, twice as wide as long and wider than mesonotum and propodeum. Promesonotal suture convex and deeply impressed. Mesonotum and propodeum in dorsal view similar in width and very slightly convex. Mesonotum slightly longer than broad. Propodeum roughly square in dorsal view, with well developed, slightly curved spines at the angle and with two small spines just above the metapleural gland bulbs. Petiolar node higher than long, with anterior face separated from dorsal face by a sharply rounded angle, and two posterior facing spines which are angled slightly up and half as long as the width between their bases. In dorsal view petiolar node broader than long, its upper surface smooth or sometimes with small foveate depressions. Gaster simple, first segment (abdominal segment III) extending to half its length. Legs slender; tibiae and femora somewhat spindle shaped and with numerous erect hairs.

Queen
Length, 4.3 mm. Colour and pilosity as in the worker. Sculpture much coarser. Head as broad as long, occipital border almost straight. Mandibles and clypeus as in worker. Scapes extending beyond occipital border by one-third their length. Eyes and ocelli slightly larger. Pronotum broader than long, angles broadly rounded. Mesonotum one-third broader than long, posterior border straight, parapsidal furrows distinct. Scutellum one-fifth broader than long, oval. Epinotum almost four times broader than long, posterior border with two short, broad, sharp-pointed teeth-like spines. In profile pronotum truncate in front, suture deeply impressed. Mesonotum and scutellum feebly convex above. Epinotum low, dorsum and declivity united, convex, spines of dorsum slender and sharp, as long as dorsum, directed slightly backward, spines of declivity short, sharp, placed just below middle of lateral border~ Node one-fourth broader than long, oval, spines long, broad at base, sharp at apex, inner borders straight, outer borders convex; in profile twice as high as long, thickest at base, anterior and posterior faces convex, spines slender, directed backward and upward; a sharp blunt tooth in front below directed forward. Gaster slightly longer than broad. Legs robust.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Borgelt A., and T. R. New. 2006. Pitfall trapping for ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in mesic Australia: what is the best trapping period? Journal of Insect Conservation 10: 75-77.
 * Shattuck S. O., and A. J. O'Reilly. 2013. Revision of the Australian endemic ant genera Pseudonotoncus and Teratomyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae). Zootaxa 3669 (3): 287301.