Iridomyrmex cuneiceps

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

Last updated October 20, 2019

Iridomyrmex cuneiceps is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex , endemic to Australia, typically seen in northern inland regions of Western Australia and some remote areas in the Northern Territory.^[1] Described in 2011, the ant is medium in size.^[1]

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.

Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It is the largest country in Oceania and the world's sixth-largest country by total area. The neighbouring countries are Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and East Timor to the north; the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu to the north-east; and New Zealand to the south-east. The population of 26 million is highly urbanised and heavily concentrated on the eastern seaboard. Australia's capital is Canberra, and its largest city is Sydney. The country's other major metropolitan areas are Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide.

Etymology

Its name from Latin translates to wedge head ( 'cuneus' — 'wedge and 'ceps', derivative of 'caput, meaning head).^[1]

Latin is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. The Latin alphabet is derived from the Etruscan and Greek alphabets and ultimately from the Phoenician alphabet.

Related Research Articles

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.

Philidris is a genus of ants in the subfamily Dolichoderinae. The genus is known from tropical forests from eastern India to northern Australia. It is similar to the genus Iridomyrmex, from where the type species was transferred from by Shattuck (1992).

Iridomyrmex agilis is an ant of the genus Iridomyrmex. They are distributed throughout most of Australia. They are usually found in the drier regions of Australia. The species was described by Forel in 1907.

Iridomyrmex anceps is an ant species of the genus Iridomyrmex. It has a very large distribution in multiple continents, but it is mainly distributed in northern Australia. Some specimens were found in multiple islands, and some were even found and collected in the United Arab Emirates.

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 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 gibbus is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Heterick and Shattuck in 2011, the biology of the ant is not exactly known, although it is known that the ant is distributed in several states and in Barrow Island in Australia.

Iridomyrmex minor is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Forel in 1915, the ant is common in Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland, and it is unlikely there are existing colonies in more southern Australian states. Nests have been found under bark, and is among the most likely ant to be encountered by the general public.

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 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 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 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 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 splendens is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Forel in 1907, the ant is mainly distributed in the southern regions of Australia, commonly found in dry sclerophyll woodland, and nests are found under logs.

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

Iridomyrmex trigonoceps is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Heterick and Shattuck in 2011, the species is broadly distributed in Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory, but the species is relatively uncommon.

Iridomyrmex viridiaeneus is a species of ant in the genus Iridomyrmex. Described by Viehmeyer in 1914, the species is among the most widespread species in Australia of the genus.

References

1 2 3 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.

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[Shattuck-1] 1 2 3 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.