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Ligonipes sp. 'white-brows' White-browed Ligonipes

This small ant-eating ant-mimic is mostly found in or near a rolled leaf retreat in lush habitats in South East Queensland, including gardens. Its range probably extends further. The female can grow to 4mm, the male to around 3.5mm. The front legs seem to mimic an ant's antennae. The body is dark brown to black in colour, usually brownish in the head region and darker to black at the rear of the abdomen which has two humps with a waist-like constriction, imitating the body segments of an ant. At the waist there are two large white spots. Both the female and the male have white crescents behind the posterior lateral eyes, white tufts at the edges of the fovea and a large brush of stiff black setae (hairs) on the underneath of englarged tibiae. This specimen resembles Rhombonotus L. Koch, 1879 but not exactly. In Zabka's view all described and undescribed Rhombonotus spp. should be considered Ligonipes (Zabka 2012, pers. comm.).

Female adult, from above 19-03-09


Rhombonotus gracilis
Photo: Robert Whyte

Female epigyne with alcohol 19-03-09


Rhombonotus gracilis
Photo: Robert Whyte

Female facing showing tufts and metatarsal spines


Rhombonotus gracilis
Photo: Martin Stevens

Female from side waving front legs


Rhombonotus gracilis
Photo: Martin Stevens

Made adult from above facing


Ligonipes sp
Photo: Robert Whyte

Male adult from above behind


Rhombonotus gracilis
Photo: Robert Whyte

Male adult brush of hairs on tibia


Rhombonotus gracilis
Photo: Robert Whyte

Male adult from side facing


Rhombonotus gracilis
Photo: Robert Whyte

Female


Ligonipes whitebrows 17-10-10 (aka Rhombonotus) same as 238GJA short spines on tarsus, PMEs somewhat closer to ALEs than PLEs but not so dramatically as in Rhombonotus gracilis sensu Koch.

Ligonipes
Photo: Robert Whyte

Ligonipes whitebrows 17-10-10 epigyne


Ligonipes
Photo: Robert Whyte

Female adult


Ligonipes
Photo: Dr Greg Anderson

Female adult 28-05-10


Ligonipes
Photo: Robert Whyte

 
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