22 
AUSTRALIAN SPECIES OF RHYTIDOPONERA MAYR 
62. Crest small and sharp. Epinotum strongly convex 
longitudinally. Node much higher than long, anterior 
and posterior faces vertical, straight and parallel, 
dorsum short and convex; spine short, slender and 
sharp. Caster finely striate transA'ersely. Black 
with metallic bronze sheen. 6- 5-8 mm. . . violacea For. 
63. Crest small but sharp. Epinotum short, rounded into 
declivity, the latter straight, twice as long as dorsum. 
Node higher than long, slightly longer at base than 
above, anterior and posterior faces straight, dorsum 
short and convex. Spine thorn-like, short, thick and 
sharp. Caster finely striate transversely. Blackish- 
brown to black, gaster with bright blue or violet 
sheen. 6-7 mm opacior Craw. 
64. Head elongate, neck-like behind 65 
65. Head strongly convex behind eyes, without distinct occipital 
border. Epinotum sloping downward, slightly concave in 
middle and rounded into declivity. Node low and dome- 
shaped. Spine short and sharp. Gaster finely striate trans- 
versely. Reddi.sh-brown. 5-5 mm forcli Craw. 
Key to the Males. 
1. Head and thorax coarsely rugose 10 
11. Head and thorax finely punctate-rugose 18 
1. Scape longer than second segment of funiculus. Node 
low, evenly conve.x longitudinally. Spine two and one- 
half times longer than broad at base, sharp. Gaster finely 
striate longitudinally. Head and thora.x brown, gaster 
red. 10- 5 mm iaurus Foi'el 
2. Scape as long as second segment of funiculus. Node 
convex, highest behind, spine four times longer than 
broad at base, slender and sharp. Gaster very finely and 
densely striate, transversely arched, the arch bent back- 
ward. Mayrian furrows feeble. Reddish-broAvn. Gaster 
red. 9 mm aurata Rog. 
3. Scape three times longer than second segment of funiculus. 
Node high and strongly conAex behind, sloping gradually 
in front. Spine three times longer than broad at base, 
slender and sharp. Gaster smooth and shining with traces 
of fine rugae on sides. Chocolate broAvn. 12- 5 mm. 
scabra Mayr 
4. Scape one-fourth shorter than second segment of funicu- 
lus. Node as long as stalk in front, convex. Spine slender 
and sharp, tAvice as long as broad at base. Gaster very 
finely and densely reticulate-punctate. Mayrian furrows 
deeply impressed. Chocolate broAvn, gaster reddish- 
brown. 11-5-12 mm laticeps Forel 
5. Scape slightly longer than second segment of funiculus. 
Node low, feebly convex behind. Spine fulN three times 
longer than broad at base, very slender and sharp. Gaster 
very finely and densely reticulate, obsolete and almost 
smooth behind. BroAvn. 11 5 mm mayri^m. 
