358 
Psyche 
[December 
species and with Bradoponera. In some Discothvrea species, in par¬ 
ticular, the petiole is transverse in dorsal view and only slightly 
constricted behind, at its articulation with the following (postpetio- 
lar) abdominal segment. These attributes are doubtless adaptations 
to life in confined moist and irregular spaces in soil or rotting wood, 
where effective use of the antennae and sting would otherwise be 
compromised. The clypeal shelf probably functions wih the mandi¬ 
bles to aid transport of arthropod eggs, upon which several species of 
both genera (including the remarkable secondarily epigaeic Mauri¬ 
tian Proceratium avium Brown) are known to feed (Brown 1958b, 
1974). Females generally resemble workers, though the eyes are 
usually less reduced, and the mesosoma non-ankylosed, at least in 
those species with winged gynes. 
The structural features of Aulacopone are, of course, known only 
for the female; those of the worker must be surmised. A. relicta 
nonetheless shows clear cryptobiotic tendencies. The female is of 
small to medium size for an ectatommine*, with fine sculpture com¬ 
parable to that of various Proceratium and Discothyrea species, and 
relatively pale yellowish brown colour. The pilosity is dense, though 
short and not unlike that of some Discothyrea species, and the eyes 
are smaller than would be expected in an epigaeic ectatommine. The 
really distinctive features of the genus have to do with its cephalic 
structure (Figs. 1, 2), in which the fronto-clypeal part of the head is 
extended forwards to form a strong triangular process, partly cover¬ 
ing the closed mandibles. The antennal fossae are carried forwards on 
this process almost to the level of the mandibular bases. The resulting 
structure is, however, very different from that of any Proceratium or 
Discothyrea species, for here the lobes of the frontal carinae are not 
elevated; they are instead extended laterally and posteriorly to form, 
on each side, the upper enclosure of a strong, deep scrobe, in which 
the folded antenna can be stowed. Such strong antennal scrobes are 
unusual in ectatommine ants, though those of Heteroportera relicta 
and of some Discothyrea species (discussed above) are almost as well 
developed. Each frontal carina is narrowed immediately above the 
appropriate antennal socket. This might facilitate anterior extension 
*The measurements (mm) of the Mt Gugljaband specimen are: aggregate total length 
4.25; maximum head length 1.08; head width across eyes 1.02; chord length of scape 
0.59; maximum diameter of eye 0.24; Weber’s length of mesosoma 1.36; scutum width 
0.82; petiole width 0.52; petiole height 0.58; width of postpetiole (abd. II) 0.96. 
