Myrmecina inaequala

This is the most widespread species of Myrmecina in Australia and occurs in a range of habitats including Eucalyptus forests, meso-notophyll vine forests, Picabean palm forests, wet sclerophyll and rainforest. It is most commonly encountered in litter samples or occasionally in rotten logs. (Shattuck 2009)

Identification
Shattuck (2009) - Dorsal surface of mesosoma with continuous longitudinal carinae running from pronotum to propodeum; dorsal and lateral surfaces of mesosoma separated by an indistinct angle or ridge which interrupts or breaks the mesosomal sculpturing; carinae weak and relatively indistinct on sides of pronotum. This species can be separated from the similar Myrmecina rugosa by the more distinct and linear carinae on the mesosoma and from Myrmecina difficulta by the angle or ridge separating the dorsal and lateral surfaces of the mesosoma which interrupts the sculpturing (in difficulta the sculpturing is continuous across these surfaces).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  inaequala. Myrmecina inaequala Shattuck, 2009a: 12, figs. 20-22, 51 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Description
Antennal scapes with low longitudinal ridges. First segment of funiculus cone-shaped. Sides of head behind compound eyes smooth. Sculpturing on dorsal surface of mesosoma running longitudinally and generally with the central carina (or carinae) running nearly the length (the pronotum not differentiated from the mesonotum). Dorsal and lateral surfaces of mesosoma separated by an indistinct angle or ridge which interrupts or breaks the mesosomal sculpturing. Metanotal spines very short, broadly angular. Propodeal spines long. Erect hairs abundant, straight. Colour dark brown-black, antennae, mandibles and legs yellow-red.

(n = 8) — CI 97–105; HL 0.63–0.79; HW 0.62–0.78; MTL 0.33–0.43; SI 81–96; SL 0.55–0.67; WL 0.79–0.93.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Shattuck S. O. 2009. A revision the Australian species of the ant genus Myrmecina (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 2146: 1-21.