Iridomyrmex alpinus

Iridomyrmex alpinus is a species of ant of the genus Iridomyrmex. It was described by Heterick and Shattuck in 2011.[1]

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

Distribution

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]

Etymology

The Latin word alpinus translates as alpine, which refers to the habitat the ant lives in.[1]

References
  1. 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 alpinus". The California Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  3. Atlas of Living Australia. "Occurrence records". Global Biodiversity Information Facility (Government of Australia). Retrieved 3 January 2015.


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