Teratomyrmex

Teratomyrmex is rarely encountered and fewer than 30 collections are present in ANIC. The majority come from rainforests, except one which is from a dry sclerophyll forest on Mt. Coot-tha, Brisbane. Teratomyrmex greavesi can be locally common but the other two known species are rarely found and then only as stray foragers. They may nest in rotten wood on the ground. Very little is known of their biology. (Shattuck and Reilly 2013)

Identification
The propodeum has a single pair of spines. The pronotum is expanded towards the sides into wing-like projections.

Shattuck and Reilly (2013) - The genus has been characterised by the distinct wing-like projections on the pronotum which were described (Wheeler and Wheeler 1974, Teratomyrmex greavesi) ‘as if it has a huge tumor on the top of its thorax’. However, two more recently found species have these pronotal projections less well developed, although still present.

Key to Teratomyrmex Species

Species richness
Species richness by country based on regional taxon lists (countries with darker colours are more species-rich). View Data



Castes


Worker of T. greavesi from Queensland.

Nomenclature

 *  TERATOMYRMEX [Formicinae: Lasiini]
 * Teratomyrmex McAreavey, 1957: 54. Type-species: Teratomyrmex greavesi, by original designation.

Etymology
McAreavey gave the genus the name Teratomyrmex after the latin ‘terato’, meaning monster, wonder, or marvel. (Shattuck and Reilly 2013)