Probolomyrmex

These rarely encountered ants are cryptic foragers in leaf litter and presumably also forage below the ground surface. Nests are small, complete colonies containing from a few up to about 20 workers, and are found in soil under rocks, in leaf litter or in rotten wood.

Most species in this genus have normal, fully winged queens, one species (P. quanacastensis) is known to have ergatoid queens (O'Keefe and Agosti (1997)). Colony size is small, with the single known apparently complete colony containining only 20 workers (Taylor (1965)).

Identification
The frontal lobes are reduced to a narrow, sharp ridge between the antennal sockets and the insertion point of the antennae are clearly visible when viewed from the front. The eyes are absent. These small, slender ants are one of the few ponerines that lacks eyes. The lack of eyes, combined with the exposed antennal insertion points, will allow identification of these ants.

Distribution and Habitats
Australian distribution

Regional Species Lists

 * Australia

Keys to Species

 * Australia