Melophorus turneri

Commonly seen in country areas, where it is ubiquitous in almost all habitats away from the wettest areas. Even paddocks that carry only a very depauperate ant fauna will usually support colonies of this species. (Heterick 2009)

Identification
Heterick (2009) - A very variable species in terms of pilosity and appearance of the cuticle: commonly the more hirsute workers have a matt, shagreenate cuticle while those that are more-or-less glabrous are smooth and shiny. However, this is not invariably the case. Colour of the cuticle ranges from pale yellowish-brown or red to almost black. Most workers, whatever their colour, tend to have a coppery iridescence. Dark brown to black populations close to the coast have smaller eyes, especially among the minor and media workers.

Distribution
Heterick (2009) - Broad distribution in WA, though they have most often been collected in the southwest of the State. Also occurs in QLD and probably other mainland states.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  turneri. Melophorus turneri Forel, 1910b: 63 (s.w.) AUSTRALIA.
 * Viehmeyer, 1914b: 43 (q.); Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1968: 206 (l.).
 * Combination in M. (Erimelophorus): Wheeler, W.M. 1935c: 71.
 * Status as species: Viehmeyer, 1914b: 43; Emery, 1925b: 12; Clark, 1938: 375; Taylor & Brown, 1985: 124; Bolton, 1995b: 250; Heterick, 2009: 98; Heterick, et al. 2017: 314 (redescription).
 * Senior synonym of: aesopus, candida, pillipes: Heterick, et al. 2017: 315.
 * pillipes. Melophorus pillipes Santschi, 1919a: 329, fig. 2 (w.) AUSTRALIA.
 * Combination in M. (Erimelophorus): Wheeler, W.M. 1935c: 71.
 * Status as species: Taylor & Brown, 1985: 124; Bolton, 1995b: 250.
 * Junior synonym of turneri: Heterick, et al. 2017: 315.
 * aesopus. Melophorus turneri subsp. aesopus Forel, 1910b: 64 (s.w.q.m.) AUSTRALIA.
 * Subspecies of turneri: Emery, 1925b: 12; Clark, 1938: 375; Taylor & Brown, 1985: 125; Bolton, 1995b: 250.
 * Junior synonym of turneri: Heterick, et al. 2017: 315.
 * candidus. Melophorus turneri st. candida Santschi, 1919a: 328, fig. 2 (w.) AUSTRALIA.
 * Subspecies of turneri: Taylor & Brown, 1985: 125; Bolton, 1995b: 250.
 * Junior synonym of turneri: Heterick, et al. 2017: 315.