Myrmecia tarsata
Myrmecia tarsata specimen
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Myrmeciinae
Genus: Myrmecia
Species:
M. tarsata
Binomial name
Myrmecia tarsata
Smith, 1858

Myrmecia tarsata is a bull ant species native to Australia. The species belongs to the genus Myrmecia. Their distribution is large, mainly around New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.[1]

Appearance

Myrmecia tarsata is quite a large bull ant at 22-24 millimetres long, with the males being slightly smaller. The head, thorax, and other distinct features are mainly black, mandibles are yellow, and legs look to be a reddish yellow colour.[2][3]

The species of Myrmecia tarsata are known to have the gamergates gene, which workers are able to reproduce. This gene allows their colonies to last a while without a queen.[4]

References

  1. ^ "Myrmecia tarsata Smith, 1858". Atlas of Living Australia. Govt of Australia. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
  2. ^ Clark, John (1951). The Formicidae of Australia (Volume 1) (PDF). Melbourne: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australia. pp. 28–32.
  3. ^ Smith, Fredrick (1858). Catalogue of hymenopterous insects in the collection of the British Museum. Part VI. Formicidae. London, British Museum. p. 145.((cite book)): CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  4. ^ Dietemann, Vincent (2004). Gamergates in the Australian ant subfamily Myrmeciinae (PDF). Springer-Verlag.

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