| Iridomyrmex brunneus | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Dolichoderinae |
| Genus: | Iridomyrmex |
| Species: | I. brunneus |
| Binomial name | |
| Iridomyrmex brunneus Forel, 1902 | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Iridomyrmex brunneus is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Auguste-Henri Forel in 1902, the species is widespread in Australia, and is considered a household pest. [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.
The meat ant, also known as the gravel ant or southern meat ant, is a species of ant endemic to Australia. A member of the genus Iridomyrmex in the subfamily Dolichoderinae, it was described by British entomologist Frederick Smith in 1858. The meat ant is associated with many common names due to its appearance, nest-building behaviour and abundance, of which its specific name, purpureus, refers to its coloured appearance. It is among the best-known species of ant found throughout Australia; it occurs in almost all states and territories except for Tasmania. Its enormous distribution, aggression and ecological importance have made this ant a dominant species.
Iridomyrmex anceps is an ant species of the genus Iridomyrmex. It has a very large distribution on multiple continents, but it is mainly distributed in northern Australia. Some specimens were found on multiple islands, and some were even found and collected in the United Arab Emirates.
Iridomyrmex bicknelli is a species of ant belonging to the genus Iridomyrmex. The species is distributed in every single state and territory in Australia. Iridomyrmex bicknelli was described by Emery in 1898.
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 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.
Eldermyrmex is an extinct genus of ant in the Formicidae subfamily Dolichoderinae. The genus contains a single described species Eldermyrmex oblongiceps. Eldermyrmex is known to be from the Baltic Amber.
Yantaromyrmex is an extinct genus of ants first described in 2013. Members of this genus are in the subfamily Dolichoderinae of the family Formicidae, known from Middle Eocene to Early Oligocene fossils found in Europe. The genus currently contains five described species, Y. constrictus, Y. geinitzi, Y. intermedius, Y. mayrianum and Y. samlandicus. The first specimens were collected in 1868 and studied by Austrian entomologist Gustav Mayr, who originally placed the fossils in other ant genera until the fossils were reviewed and subsequently placed into their own genus. These ants are small, measuring from 4 to 6 mm in length and can be characterized by their trapezoidal shaped head-capsules and oval compound eyes that are located slightly to the rear of the capsules midpoint, with no known ocelli present.
Iridomyrmex galbanus is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Shattuck in 1993, the ant is mainly confined to the Eyre peninsula in South Australia, but other populations of the species have been identified in several other states in Australia.
Iridomyrmex lividus is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Shattuck in 1993, the ant is endemic to Australia and resembles a similar appearance to the Meat ant.
Iridomyrmex mirabilis is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Heterick and Shattuck in 2011, the ant is endemic to Australia.
Iridomyrmex obscurior is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Forel in 1902, the species is endemic to Australia.
Iridomyrmex prismatis is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Shattuck in 1993, the species is endemic to Australia.
Iridomyrmex reburrus is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Shattuck in 1993, the species is endemic to the northern regions of Australia.
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 sanguineus is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. The ant is endemic to Australia and was described by Forel in 1910.
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 turbineus is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Shattuck and McMillan in 1998, the species is endemic to Australia, commonly seen on the coasts of Western Australia.