Anochetus victoriae, Shattuck, Steven O. & Slipinska, Ewa, 2012

Shattuck, Steven O. & Slipinska, Ewa, 2012, Revision of the Australian species of the ant genus Anochetus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Zootaxa 3426, pp. 1-28 : 24-25

Anochetus victoriae n. sp.

( Fig. 17 )

Types. Holotype worker from 9km WbyN of Mt. Tozer, Queensland , 12°44'S 143°08'E, 28 June–16 July 1986, T.A. Weir, heath country ( ANIC, ANIC32-015982 ) ; one paratype worker from 3km W Batavia Downs, Queensland , 12°40'S 142°39'E, 16 September–24 October 1992, P. Zborowski & T. A. Weir ( ANIC, ANIC32- 042981 ).

Diagnosis. Front of head with distinct long striations which extend to the posterior margin; dorsum of pronotum with longitudinal striations; eyes relatively large (EL> 0.22mm). This species, together with A. graeffei , are the only Australian species with sculpturing that extends to the posterior margin of the head when viewed in full face view. Anochetus victoriae can be separated from A. graeffei by the larger eye (EL> 0.22mm vs. <0.16mm) and the longitudinal striations rather than rugulose sculpturing on the dorsum of the pronotum.

Worker description. Front of head with distinct long striations which extend to the posterolateral margin of head. Scapes not reaching posterolateral corners ('lobes') of head; pubescence and erect hairs few and thinly scattered. Pronotum with distinct longitudinal striations transitioning to striate-rugose sculpturing anteriorly and posterolaterally. Mesonotum smooth and shining. Dorsum of propodeum slightly flattened with coarse striaterugose sculpture and the majority of erect hairs inclined. Propodeal angles rounded. Metapleuron with coarse striations. Petiolar node robust with thick, truncate apex and sculptured with transverse striations. Erect hairs on hind tibiae limited to the outer surfaces. Colour dark brown, head and legs brown, antennae, mandibles and tarsi yellow.

Measurements. Worker (n = 2): CI 91–94; EI 24–24; EL 0.23–0.23; HL 1.01–1.08; HW 0.95–0.98; HFL 0.86–0.92; ML 1.25–1.35; MandL 0.54–0.58; MTL 0.62–0.68; PronI 63–64; PronW 0.61–0.62; SL 0.81–0.88; SI 86–90.

Comments. This species is known from two collections from northern Cape York Peninsula. Both are from heath habitats and specimens were recovered from troughs below flight intercept traps.

Figures

FIGURE 17. Anochetus victoriae (9 km W by N of Mt. Tozer, Queensland, holotype, ANIC 32 - 015982): A. Front of head; B. Side of body; C. Top of body; D. Distribution of material examined.