AUSTRALIAN -SPECIES OF RHYTIDOPONERA MAYR 
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bluntly pointed. Epinotum strongly convex transversely. In profile sutures 
strongly defined, the pronotum sloping downward in front, feebly convex. 
Mesonotum convex, slightly higher behind than epinotum, the latter straight 
or feebly convex above, rounded into declivity and descending abruptly, 
concave in middle, shorter than dorsum. Node almost twice as broad as long, 
dorsum, sides and front strongly convex, more feebly convex behind. In 
profile rather massive, one-third higher than long, top portion longer than 
high, anterior face straight and vertical, with practically no stalk in front, 
posterior face inclined forward, convex; dorsum flat, longer than posterior 
face, both edges sharply rounded, the ventral spine broad and plate-like on 
basal half, apical half slender and sharp, as long as basal half. Postpetiole 
one-third broader than long, strongly convex in front. First segment of 
gaster one-third broader than long, strongly convex behind. The constric- 
tion between the two segments wide but not deep. Legs long and robust. 
Male. — Length, 11 mm. 
Blackish-brown. Mandibles, antennae and legs chocolate-brown. Wings 
with a yellowish tinge, nervures brown. 
Mandibles rather coarsely striate-rugose longitudinally. Clypeus punctate- 
rugose, the punctures wide and very shallow densely reticulate at bottom. 
Head irregularly punctate-rugose, the punctures shallow and scattered, finely 
and densely reticulate. Pronotum transversely punctate-rugose, the punctures 
deep, densely reticulate at bottom. Mesonotum and scutellum coarsely 
punctate-rugose, the punctures large and deep, shining at bottom, interstices 
densely reticulate. Epinotum coarsely and irregularly rugose, transversely 
rugose on declivity. Node and postpetiole very finely and densely punctate- 
reticulate. First segment similarly but more superficially reticulate. 
Hair yellow, short, erect and abundant throughout, shorter on antennae 
and legs. 
Head fully one-fifth longer than broad, strongly convex behind eyes. 
Mandibles with numerous fine denticles. Clypeus broadly convex in front 
and above. Frontal area large, triangular and shallow. Frontal carinae as 
long as broad in front. Second segment of funiculus half as long as scape 
and three times longer than first. Eyes occupy barely one-third of sides. 
Ocelli large and convex. Thorax twice as long as broad. Pronotum projecting 
in front of mesonotum, strongly convex. Mesonotum broader than long, broadly 
cone-shaped in front, convex behind, mayrian furrows wide and shallow, 
anterior central groove and parapsidal furrows sharply impressed. Scutellum 
one-third broader than long, strongly convex all ways. Metanotum small and 
triangular. Epinotum convex transversely. In profile pro-mesonotal suture 
deeply impressed. Pronotum erect, projecting and .strongly convex. Meso- 
notum strongly convex from apex to base. Scutellum fully twice as long as 
high, dome shaped. Metathorax as long as high, bluntly pointed. Dorsum of 
epinotum feebly convex, sloping downward behind, declivity as long as 
dorsum, at an acute angle, straight, rounded into dorsum. Node convex, 
broadest behind. In profile rather low and strongly convex, particularly 
behind. The ventral spine thorn-like, directed slightly backward, twice as 
long as broad at base. Postpetiole one-third broader than long, sides strongly 
convex. First segment of gaster barely one-third broader than long, slightly 
broader behind than in front, sides convex. The constriction between the 
two segments deep and narrow. Legs long and slender. 
Habitat. — Western Australia: Eradu; Mullewa; Ajana; Yalgoo (J. 
Clark); Mingengew (L. Glauert). 
