Meranoplus unicolor

Occuring from Kimberley over central Australia to the north-east coast of Queensland; missing in southern Australia.

Identification
Schödl (2007) - M. unicolor is a variable taxon, in particular with regard to the clypeal projection and the petiolar shape. Nonetheless, the clypeal structure in addition to the distinct gastral striation should leave no doubt as to the identity of the taxon. Additional material is needed to show whether more than a single taxon is involved.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  unicolor. Meranoplus diversus r. unicolor Forel, 1902h: 455 (w.) AUSTRALIA. Raised to species: Taylor, 1990c: 34. See also: Schödl, 2007: 378.

Worker
Schödl (2007) - (n = 22). TL 6.15-8.40, HL 1.66-2.15, HW 1.78-2.37, FC 1.27-1.73, CS 1.72-2.26, SL 0.88-1.1, SI1 44-52, SI2 46-54, PML 1.0-1.4, PW 1.38-1.85, PMI 118-138, PMD 1.28-1.80, PMI2 89-100, ML 1.45-1.97, PSL 0.48-0.85, PTLL 0.46-0.63, PTLH 0.60-0.83, PTDW 0.6-0.85, PPLL 0.4-0.64, PPLH 0.55-0.83, PPI 64-77, PPDW 0.55-0.88, PT/PP 93-109.

Mandibles with three teeth. In full face view clypeal projection distinctly exceeding anterolateral frontal corners, with a median bicarinate flat elaboration, that may considerably surpass the anterior clypeal margin. Frontal carinae sinuately narrowed towards clypeus, distinctly narrower than head width (FI 134-148). Head weakly to distinctly wider than long (CI 104-118), preoccipital margin distinctly concave. Antennal scrobe in lateral view posteriorly surpassing middle of length of head, merging into lateral sides far before posterior corners; distinctly transversely carinulate at rear, occasionally with additional shagreen. Genae and ventrolateral sides of head carinate to rugose, preoccipital lobes reticulate. Eyes of moderate size (EL 0.30-0.36, REL 0.16-0.20, with 16-19 ommatidia in the longest row), in lateral view situated in anterior half of lateral sides of head, not reaching ventral scrobal margin. Dorsal surface of head with additional microreticulum between ridges of rugo-reticulation.

Promesonotal shield only very narrowly translucently margined. Mesonotum posteriorly markedly narrowing with the posterolateral projections reduced and bluntly rounded, occasionally as more or less well developed acute denticles. Propodeal declivity visible from above. Propodeal spines due to variable body size varying in length (0.48-0.85), situated above middle of length of declivity, acute and considerably diverging when seen from above. Petiole in lateral view higher than long (PTI 70-86), box-shaped to roughly triangular with anterior and posterior faces meeting in an angle. Postpetiole nodiform with short to mediumsized antero-basal tooth.

First gastral tergite entirely and distinctly striate to punctate-striate, with lateral striation on corresponding ventrite as well. Surface covered with moderately dense regular pilosity consisting of shorter decumbent hairs and longer erect ones, pilosity on dorsal head shorter than that on mesosoma and gaster.

Concolorous brown to dark-brown.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Andersen A. N. 2006. A systematic overview of Australian species of the myrmicine ant genus Meranoplus F. Smith, 1853. Myrmecologische Nachrichten 8: 157-170.
 * Schödl S. 2007. Revision of Australian Meranoplus: the Meranoplus diversus group. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 80: 370-424.