Epopostruma curiosa

This species is one of the most morphologically distinctive in the genus. Unfortunately nothing is known of its biology.

Identification
This species stands out from all others in the genus. It is unique in lacking pronotal spines and erect hairs on the upper surfaces of the mesosoma, petiole, postpetiole and gaster, the elongate, cone-shaped eyes and the enlarged petiole.

Key to Epopostruma Species

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  curiosa. Epopostruma curiosa Shattuck, in Bolton, 2000: 59, figs. 61, 73, 88 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Description
In full face view the lateral margin of the head between the eye and the posterior corner a broad convexity. Eyes projecting laterally away from the head in a blunt cone. Pronotal spines absent. Posterior section of metanotum and dorsal surface of the propodeum forming a continuous surface. Posterior face of propodeum between bases of spines and propodeal lobes with broad flanges. Petiole greatly enlarged, lacking spines, postpetiole unusually small. Anterior face of postpetiole short and merging into the dorsal face; sides of postpetiole expanded laterally in the form of thin, solid wings, their outer margins convex; posterolateral margin of postpetiole (immediately anterior of gaster) flat. Dorsum of petiole, postpetiole and gaster lacking erect hairs. First gastral tergite smooth; gaster immediately behind attachment with gaster with short, longitudinal rugae. Body colour yellow-red, propodeal spines and flanges and petiole and postpetiole darker; gaster yellow with a dark central band.

Measurements

Holotype worker. TL 3.4mm, HL 0.74mm, HW 0.65mm, CI 88, MandL 0.43mm, MandI 58, SL 0.44mm, SI 68, PronW 0.44mm, ML 0.86mm.

CI (cephalic index) - HW/HL X 100. HL (head length) - The length of the head capsule excluding the mandibles, measured in full face view in a straight line from the mid point of the anterior clypeal margin to the mid point of the occipital margin. In species where one or both of these margins is concave the measurement is taken from the mid point of a transverse line that spans the apices of the projecting portions. HW (head width) - The maximum width of the head in full face view, excluding the eyes. MandI (mandibular index) - ML/HL X 100. MandL (mandible length) - The straight line length of the mandible at full closure, measured in the same plane for which the HL measurement is taken (i.e. full face view), from the mandibular apex to the anterior clypeal margin, or to the transverse line connecting the anteriormost points in those taxa where the margin is concave medially. ML (mesosomal length) (= Weber's length) - The diagonal length of the mesosoma in profile from the point at which the pronotum meets the cervical shield to the posterior basal angle of the metapleuron. PronW (pronotal width) - The maximum width of the pronotum in dorsal view. (Projecting spines, tubercles or other cuticular prominences at the pronotal humeral angles are ignored.) SI (scape index) - SL/HW X 100. SL (scape length) - The maximum straight line length of the scape, excluding the basal constriction or neck that occurs just distal of the condylar bulb. TL (total length) - The total outstretched length of the ant from the mandibular apex to the gastral apex; when measured in profile the sum of ML + HL + ML + lengths of waist segments + length of gaster.