Iroponera odax, Schmidt & Shattuck, 2014

Schmidt, C. A. & Shattuck, S. O., 2014, The Higher Classification of the Ant Subfamily Ponerinae (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), with a Review of Ponerine Ecology and Behavior, Zootaxa 3817 (1), pp. 1-242 : 198

Iroponera odax sp. nov.

Type material: Holotype worker and five paratype workers from Pioneer State Forest , Tasmania, Australia, approx. 41°05'S 147°56'E, 14 January 1992, B.B. Lowery & L. Gregson, sassafras gully, in soil bank ( ANIC, holotype ANIC32-066627 , paratypes ANIC32-002572 ).

Worker description (see also genus description above): Head oblong, with nearly straight, parallel sides; posterior corners rather abruptly rounded; vertexal margin very shallowly concave. Frontal lobes broad, together occupying a space greater than 1/3 HW, roofing antennal insertions and nearly all of antennal radicles. Scapes gradually incrassate apicad; funiculus with massive 4-segmented apical club, significantly wider than scape, and at least twice as wide as basal funicular segments. Labrum shallowly bilobed, the lobes broadly rounded. Palpal segment count not determined, but apparently 2,2 or less.

Mesosoma slender, tapering only moderately caudad, with only a weak and brief constriction at the mesonotal groove. Petiole with steeply sloping anterior face; dorsal face distinct, but rounding into posterior face; in dorsal view slightly broader than long, even including the brief anterior cornuae. Subpetiolar process a broad blade with convex margin. Gaster cylindrical, straight, with a distinct constriction after A3; A4 broader than A3, and the same length, not vaulted. A5 as wide as A4, but slightly longer; terminal segments conical and retractile; sting strong.

Sculpture exceedingly fine, densely micropunctulate; opaque, with only A5, gastric apex, propodeal declivity, posterior face of petiolar node and limited parts of the appendages showing a weak shine. Pilosity scattered and with moderately dense pubescence. Color dull, light yellow throughout.

Measurements (holotype): total length 2.5mm, head length 0.62mm, head width 0.44mm (cephalic index 71), mandible length 0.27mm, scape length 0.30mm (scape index 68), Weber’s length 0.80mm, petiole length 0.27mm, hind femur length 0.35mm, hind tibia length 0.31mm.

Material examined: Australia. New South Wales: Royal National Park (Ward,P.S.); Mt. Tomah (Ward,P.S.); 25km E Fitzroy Falls (Lowery,B.B.) ; Tasmania: Pioneer State Forest (Lowery, B.B. & Gregson,L.) ; Victoria: Warburton (Mercovich,C. T.) .