Myrmecia croslandi Taylor

Taylor, Robert W., 2015, Ants with Attitude: Australian Jack-jumpers of the Myrmecia pilosula species complex, with descriptions of four new species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmeciinae), Zootaxa 3911 (4), pp. 493-520 : 503-505

Myrmecia croslandi Taylor

( Figs 7–9 )

Myrmecia croslandi Taylor, 1991: 288 , worker, Type Locality: Immediately E to NE of Corang River Bridge (-35 12, 150 03), on the Nerriga Road, near Braidwood, NSW.

The type-locality is common to both M. croslandi and M. impaternata (see below).

Myrmecia croslandi was described initially from the ACT, nearby NSW and Warrandyte South, VIC. It is now known also from the New England Tablelands in northeastern NSW and upland localities on the Darling Downs of SE QLD, from Glen Innes in northeastern NSW, and from near Cobangra, VIC. It was discussed as “ M. pilosula ” by Crosland and Crozier (1986), and as “ M. ( pilosula ) n=1” by Imai & Taylor (1989).

Material examined, distribution. QUEENSLAND: Dalby [-27 11, 151 16], 6/xii/35, N.Geary, 2 alate gynes ( QMBA); Millmerran [-27 53, 151 16], 12/v/1941, J. Macqueen ( QMBA); Stanthorpe [-28 39, 151 56], 21/ix/30, E. Sutton ( MVMA, QMBA); Warwick [-28 13, 152 2], 480 m, 1 Jan 2006, P. McAllister ( QMBA). NEW SOUTH WALES: Glen Innes [-29 44, 151 44], 6/ix/1937, F.A. Cudmore ( MVMA); New England National Park [-30 30, 152 30], 900 m (-30 25, 152 30) D.S. Olson (PSW collection); near Corang River Bridge (-35 12, 150 03), (Type locality), HI87–136, –148, –151, –153, HI89–030–032, HI91–049–050, HI99–05; Mayfield [-35 12, 149 48], HI87–154. AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY: Bruce [-35 15, 149 6, 18/iii/2007, AAVAS; Curtin [-35 19, 149 5], 28/iii/2006, AAVAS; Canberra [-35 18, 149 8], HI87–135–165–236; National Botanic Gardens (35 16·766, 149.06·579), AAVAS. VICTORIA: Cobungra [-37 6, 147 25], 10 miles W ( MVMA); Warrandyte South [-37.46, 145 15] HI87–213.

Myrmecia croslandi (along with the locally less frequent M. impaternata ) is common in Canberra parks, gardens, suburban grass lawn roadside “nature strips” and in grassy bushland. Nests of the two species are sometimes found only meters apart. Croslandi was found similarly common at localities near Armidale, NSW in Dec/ Jan. 1995 –96 and Nov. 1999 by JACP collectors. It is also sympatric there with M. impaternata . Several records confirm the presence of this species in SE Queensland.

Worker diagnosis. General features as illustrated and in key couplets 1, 2, 5 & 6 above. Distinguished from other pilosula- complex species by its robust form, more massive petiolar node, especially versus representatives of the two races of M. pilosula (compare Figures) and other details, as specified in the key. Middle and hind tibiae medium brown, matching the femora, the tibial apices minutely lightly infuscated at the bases of the reddishorange spurs. Larger workers of both races of M. pilosula often closely resemble those of M. croslandi . Western M. pilosula is then distinguishable by its reddish-orange hind tibiae (see below under that species), but Eastern M. pilosula and M. croslandi are essentially identical in leg coloration (see key couplet 6 above for their discrimination).

Dimensions. The holotype and smallest and largest available specimens have the following dimensions (mm): TL = 13.54, 12.46, 13.53; HW = 2.63, 2.54, 2.79; HL = 2.35, 2.37, 2.51; CI = 112, 107, 111; EL =1.02, 1.02, 1.08; OI = 39, 40, 39; SL = 2.02, 1.99, 2.06; SI = 77, 78, 74; PW = 1.70, 1.60, 1.81; WL = 3.88, 3.73, 4.06; PetW = 1.06, 0.93, 1.14; PpetW = 1.59, 1.43, 1.69.

Etymology. Named for Michael W. J. Crosland, who as a student of R. H. Crozier at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, discovered the 2n=2 chromosome count while experimenting with the Crozier/Imai airdrying technique of chromosome preparation for microscopy (to great initial consternation that the technique had failed, but later celebration). Crosland had collected the subject specimens shortly before at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve near Canberra.

Karyology., Workers and queens in some colonies have the minimum possible eukaryote chromosome count of 2N=2. Myrmecia croslandi is widely celebrated as the only animal other than the nematode Diploscapter coronata known to possess a single pair of chromosomes. Imai & Taylor (1989) reported that its chromosome numbers in fact vary, ranging 2n=2, 3 or 4, and that croslandi demonstrates highly complicated chromosome polymorphisms, including telomere fusion, shift of centromeric activity by centromeric inactivation, salutatory growth of constitutive heterochromatin (C+), and AM inversion. Typical croslandi karyotypes with 2n=2 (2K=2M ci), and 2n=3 (2K=lA c+1M+1M ci) were illustrated by Imai, Taylor et al. (1994, figs 5a, 5b), and karyological details discussed by Imai, Hirae et al. (1992).

Field associations. Sympatric variously with M. impaternata and Eastern M. pilosula , and with M. haskinsorum (and Eastern pilosula ) at Corang River Bridge (-35 12, 150 03). Most known records of M. impaternata were taken in sympatry with M. croslandi .

Research prospects. See below under M. impaternata .

Figures

FIGURES 7 – 9. Myrmecia croslandi, Canberra, ACT. Standard views. HW 2.50 mm, WL 3.74 mm, PW 1.60 mm.