Iridomyrmex atypicus

Iridomyrmex atypicus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Formicidae
Subfamily:	Dolichoderinae
Genus:	Iridomyrmex
Species:	I. atypicus
Binomial name
	Iridomyrmex atypicus; Heterick & Shattuck, 2011

Last updated October 20, 2019

Iridomyrmex atypicus is a species of ant of the genus Iridomyrmex. It was recently described by Heterick and Shattuck in 2011.^[1] Specimens recorded were only found in Lake Mere in New South Wales. They were only found in paddocks.^[2]

Ants are eusocial insects of the family Formicidae and, along with the related wasps and bees, belong to the order Hymenoptera. Ants evolved from wasp-like ancestors in the Cretaceous period, about 140 million years ago, and diversified after the rise of flowering plants. More than 12,500 of an estimated total of 22,000 species have been classified. They are easily identified by their elbowed antennae and the distinctive node-like structure that forms their slender waists.

Iridomyrmex, or the rainbow ant is a genus of ant first described by Austrian entomologist Gustav Mayr in 1862. He placed it in the subfamily Dolichoderinae of the family Formicidae. There are 79 described species and five fossil species. Most of these ants are native to Australia; others are found in several countries and islands in Asia and other areas in 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.

New South Wales is a state on the east coast of Australia. It borders Queensland to the north, Victoria to the south, and South Australia to the west. Its coast borders the Tasman Sea to the east. The Australian Capital Territory is an enclave within the state. New South Wales' state capital is Sydney, which is also Australia's most populous city. In March 2019, the population of New South Wales was over 8 million, making it Australia's most populous state. Just under two-thirds of the state's population, 5.1 million, live in the Greater Sydney area. Inhabitants of New South Wales are referred to as New South Welshmen.

Etymology

The ant has its name due to its distinctive nature of its appearance.^[1]

Related Research Articles

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 alpinus is a species of ant of the genus Iridomyrmex. It was described by Heterick and Shattuck in 2011.

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 elongatus is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex, described by Heterick and Shattuck in 2011. Its biology is almost unknown, but the distribution of the ant extends from Western Australia and into the Northern Territory.

Iridomyrmex fulgens is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Heterick and Shattukck in 2011, the species is found in several states in Australia, usually in the drier regions of the country.

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 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 neocaledonica is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Heterick and Shattuck in 2011 and unlike most Iridomyrmex ants, the ant is endemic to New Caledonia.

Iridomyrmex niger is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Heterick and Shattuck in 2011, the species is endemic to multiple states in Australia.

Iridomyrmex nudipes is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Heterick and Shattuck in 2011, the workers of the species are diurnal foragers, and have only been recorded in New South Wales.

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 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 spadius is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Shattuck in 1993, localised populations of the species can be found in Queensland, Australia.

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.

Iridomyrmex tenuiceps is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Heterick and Shattuck in 2011, the species is widespread in Australia.

References

1 2 Shattuck, Brian E. Heterick & Steve (2011). Revision of the ant genus Iridomyrmex (Hymenoptera : Formicidae) (PDF). Auckland, N.Z.: Magnolia Press. ISBN 978-1-86977-676-3 . Retrieved 2 January 2015.
↑ AntWeb. "Species: Iridomyrmex atypicus". The California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 3 January 2015.

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[Shattuck-1] 1 2 Shattuck, Brian E. Heterick & Steve (2011). Revision of the ant genus Iridomyrmex (Hymenoptera : Formicidae) (PDF). Auckland, N.Z.: Magnolia Press. ISBN 978-1-86977-676-3 . Retrieved 2 January 2015.

[2] AntWeb. "Species: Iridomyrmex atypicus". The California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 3 January 2015.