Australian Ants

Their Biology and Identification

S Shattuck

• Publisher: CSIRO PUBLISHING
• Year: 1999
• ISBN:
  9780643102378
• Topic: Biowissenschaften
• Subtopic: Zoologie

Ants are one of the most influential elements in Australian ecosystems, having a major impact on plant growth and reproduction, and soil structure. They act as predators and competitors of other arthropods, and are an important food source for other animals.

The book provides details on separating genera from those which are superficially similar and those which are commonly confused. The distribution, habitat preferences and general biologies of each genus are discussed, and there is an introduction to the more important research papers investigating each group.

SUBFAMILY MYRMICINAE

Identification

The mesosoma is attached to the gaster by two distinct segments, the petiole and postpetiole (Fig. 21aa). The mandibles are generally triangular (Fig. 36aa), but if they are elongate then there are no teeth along the inner margin and they are attached near the middle of the front margin of the head (Fig. 37cc). The eyes are almost always present, conspicuous and with many facets (Fig. 211aa) but are absent in a few species (Fig. 210a). The frontal lobes are always present and expanded towards the sides so they cover the inner part of the antennal bases where they are inserted into the head when viewed from the front (Fig. 38b). The pronotum and mesonotum are fused into a single plate (Fig. 41aa).

Species of myrmicines are most likely to be confused with species of Leptanilla or Tetraponera because of the two-segmented petiole. However, both Leptanilla and Tetraponera have the pronotum and mesonotum unfused and with a flexible joint between them (Fig. 40d), while in all myrmicines these two plates are fused into a single structure (Fig. 41aa).

Overview

This is the largest subfamily in Australia, based on both the number of genera and the number of species. Myrmicines range greatly in size, with the smallest about 1 mm long and the largest up to 10 mm. While many species are generalist predators, some specialise on selected soft-bodied invertebrates such as Collembola and others are important seed harvesters. Workers can be found foraging at all times of the day and night, sometimes in large numbers. Nests can be found in almost any suitable location from deep in the soil to the upper branches of trees. Colonies are generally small with a few hundred to a few thousand workers, although some species can have huge nests with many thousands of workers while others form very small nests with fewer than 50 individuals.

Morphologically, these ants are very diverse. Many groups are highly modified with unusual mandibles, elongate spines, elaborate hairs or unique structures not seen in any other ants. Because of this, many genera are relatively easy to identify as they have highly distinctive features which are easily seen (given the appropriate magnification). At the same time, some genera are much less specialised or modified, and separating these from close relatives can be difficult. In these cases, close inspection of subtle differences may be required.

Myrmicines occur throughout the world in all major habitats (except arctic and antarctic regions). They are the largest subfamily of ants with over 6700 species and subspecies and 155 genera. Australia has over 350 species placed in 41 genera, including two genera and many-species which are currently undescribed. Eight of the genera are restricted to Australia.

ADLERZIA

Identification

The antennae are 11-segmented (including the scape). The upper surface of the head is smooth or uniformly sculptured and without grooves for the reception of the antennae when at rest (antennal scrobes are absent) (Figs 221aa, 457, 459). The front margin of the clypeus just above the mandibles has pairs of elongate hairs or setae which straddle the mid-line of the head and lacks a single central hair or seta (Figs 227aa, 457, 459). The clypeus has a pair of longitudinal ridges or sharp angles immediately below the antennal sockets which separate the central region from the lateral regions (clypeus longitudinally bicarinate) (Figs 232a, 457, 459). The petiole has a distinct, rounded node (Figs 458, 460). There are major and minor workers but no intermediates (dimorphic) (compare Figs 457 and 458 with Figs 459 and 460).

These ants are most likely to be confused with species of Anisopheidole, Machomyrma or possibly Pheidole because of the generally similar body size and shape and the presence of major workers. They can be separated by their 11-segmented antennae and bicarinate clypeus (Figs 232a, 457, 459).

Biology

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Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• Abstract
• Acknowledgements
• Introduction
• Ants in Australia
• Life in an Ant Colony
• The Life Cycle
• Nests
• Feeding
• Ants as Pests
• Ants and Environmental Monitoring
• Classification
• Identification
• Terms Used in the Keys and Descriptions
• Collecting Methods
• Specimen Preparation
• Additional Reading
• Key to the Subfamilies
• Key to the Genera of the Subfamily Cerapachyinae
• Key to the Genera of the Subfamily Dolichoderinae
• Key to the Genera of the Subfamily Formicinae
• Key to the Genera of the Subfamily Myrmicinae
• Key to the Genera of the Subfamily Ponerinae
• Subfamily Aenictinae
• Subfamily Cerapachyinae
• Subfamily Dolichoderinae
• Subfamily Formicinae
• Subfamily Leptanillinae
• Subfamily Myrmeciinae
• Subfamily Myrmicinae
• Subfamily Nothomyrmeciinae
• Subfamily Ponerinae
• Subfamily Pseudomyrmecinae
• Glossary
• References
• Index