| Iridomyrmex alpinus | |
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| Iridomyrmex alpinus worker | |
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| Species: | I. alpinus |
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| Iridomyrmex alpinus Heterick & Shattuck, 2011 | |
Iridomyrmex alpinus is a species of ant of the genus Iridomyrmex . It was described by Heterick and Shattuck in 2011. [1]
The ant is found in wet areas in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. Specimens were found in alpine areas, alpine heath, grassland and in Sclerophyll, either wet or dry, at elevations of 2,000 metres. [2] These ants can establish nests under large stones, rotting wood, under dead piles of leaves and twigs, and workers have been found foraging in litter and alpine vegetation. [1] A large number of specimens have been collected to the Australian National Insect Collection. [3] A study this species is important for ants living in the eastern seaboard. [1]
The Latin word alpinus translates as alpine, which refers to the habitat the ant lives in. [1]
Iridomyrmex is a genus of ants called rainbow ants first described by Austrian entomologist Gustav Mayr in 1862. He placed the genus in the subfamily Dolichoderinae of the family Formicidae. It has 79 described species and five fossil species. Most of these ants are native to Australia; others are found in Asia and Oceania, and they have been introduced to Brazil, New Zealand, and the United Arab Emirates. Fossil species are known from China, France, and the United States.
Iridomyrmex anderseni is an ant species of the genus Iridomyrmex. Nothing is known of its biology. One single specimen has been only been collected in South Australia. The species was described by Shattuck in 1993.
Iridomyrmex adstringatus is a species of ant of the genus Iridomyrmex. Recently described in 2011 by Heterick & Shattuck, the species is rare to find, as specimens of this species have only been collected in South Australia. The first specimens collected were from the Coorong National Park.
Iridomyrmex atypicus is a species of ant of the genus Iridomyrmex. It was recently described by Heterick and Shattuck in 2011. Specimens recorded were only found in Lake Mere in New South Wales. They were only found in paddocks.
Iridomyrmex azureus is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Viehmeyer in 1914, specimens collected have been found in dry habitats in Western Australia and South Australia, and also in New South Wales and the Northern Territory.
Iridomyrmex brennani is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described recently in 2011, specimens were collected from Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia in the Kambalda district.
Iridomyrmex cupreus is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described in 2011, specimens have only been collected in Lake Eyre in South Australia.
Iridomyrmex hertogi is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Heterick and Shattuck in 2011, the ant is essentially unknown in terms of its habitat preference and biology, although specimens were collected in the Northern Territory.
Iridomyrmex infuscus is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Heterick and Shattuck in 2011, the species is known only from a single specimen collected in the Australian Capital Territory.
Iridomyrmex luteoclypeatus is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Heterick and Shattuck in 2011, nothing is essentially known about the ant, other than the ant being found in the drier regions of Australia and is diurnal.
Iridomyrmex macrops is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Heterick and Shattuck in 2011, the species is endemic to several states in Australia.
Iridomyrmex meridianus is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex, described by Heterick and Shattuck in 2011. The species is endemic to Australia, and nests are commonly found under rocks, logs and rotting wood in forested areas, and they are known to be living in southern areas of Australian states like Western Australia and Tasmania.
Iridomyrmex phillipensis is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Heterick and Shattuck in 2011, the ant is the only species endemic to Australia to not actually live in the country itself, but instead lives in territory that belongs to Australia.
Iridomyrmex roseatus is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Heterick and Shattuck in 2011, the species has a northern temperate and tropical distribution in Australia, and can be found in most states, and the habitats of the ant may be similar to the preferences of the Meat ant species.
Iridomyrmex rubriceps is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Forel in 1902, the species is endemic to Australia, living in rainforest and wet sclerophyll habitats, commonly seen in the east coast of the country.
Iridomyrmex rufoniger is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. It was described by Lowne in 1865. The species is endemic to Australia and introduced to several other countries.
Iridomyrmex setoconus is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Shattuck and McMillan in 1998, the species is endemic to Australia, and small populations have only been found in Esperance.
Iridomyrmex spodipilus is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Shattuck in 1993, the ant is endemic to Australia, and specimens have only been found in from Fowlers Gap in New South Wales, while foraging on low shrub and grassland.
Iridomyrmex tenebrans is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Heterick and Shattuck in 2011, the ant is a rare species endemic to Australia, with only one specimen being collected in New South Wales.
Media related to Iridomyrmex alpinus at Wikimedia Commons