Odontomachus ruficeps

The only Odontomachus species recorded from the SWBP is Odontomachus ruficeps. It has a wide distribution throughout WA. In the north of the state O. ruficeps is one of the commonest ponerines, but further south it appears to be less abundant.

Identification
Heterick (2009) - Worker ants in WA localities at about the same latitude as Perth are generally concolorous black or reddish-black. Further north, workers usually have a bright red head capsule, contrasting with a darker red mesosoma and black gaster.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  ruficeps. Odontomachus ruficeps Smith, F. 1858b: 81 (w.) AUSTRALIA. Forel, 1910b: 10 (m.). Senior synonym of acutidens, coriarius, magnus, obscura, rubriceps, rufescens, semicircularis, septentrionalis, sharpei: Brown, 1976a: 105. See also: Crawley, 1922b: 438; Brown, 1976a: 120.
 * coriarius. Odontomachus coriarius Mayr, 1876: 85 (w.m.) AUSTRALIA. Subspecies of ruficeps: Emery, 1911d: 115; of haematodus: Wheeler, W.M. 1915g: 806. Junior synonym of ruficeps: Brown, 1976a: 105.
 * magnus. Odontomachus coriarius var. magnus Mayr, 1876: 85 (w.) AUSTRALIA. Junior synonym of ruficeps: Brown, 1976a: 105.
 * semicircularis. Odontomachus coriarius var. semicircularis Mayr, 1876: 85 (w.) AUSTRALIA. Junior synonym of ruficeps: Brown, 1976a: 105.
 * sharpei. Odontomachus sharpei Forel, 1893d: 458 (q.) AUSTRALIA. Junior synonym of ruficeps: Brown, 1976a: 105.
 * acutidens. Odontomachus ruficeps r. acutidens Forel, 1900b: 56 (w.) AUSTRALIA. Crawley, 1921: 90 (q.m.). Junior synonym of ruficeps: Brown, 1976a: 105.
 * rubriceps. Odontomachus ruficeps var. rubriceps Forel, 1915b: 33 (w.m.) AUSTRALIA. Junior synonym of ruficeps: Brown, 1976a: 105.
 * rufescens. Odontomachus ruficeps var. rufescens Forel, 1915b: 34 (w.) AUSTRALIA. Junior synonym of ruficeps: Brown, 1976a: 105.
 * septentrionalis. Odontomachus septentrionalis Crawley, 1915a: 130 (w.) AUSTRALIA. Junior synonym of ruficeps: Brown, 1976a: 105.
 * obscura. Odontomachus coriarius var. obscura Crawley, 1922b: 437, fig. 1 (w.) AUSTRALIA. Junior synonym of ruficeps: Brown, 1976a: 105.

Type Material


Odontomachus ruficeps

Holotype worker in. The specimen matches the description very well but Smith merely gives “Australia” as the type-locality, whereas the specimen has, “O. ruficeps Sm. Type,” and “New Holl, 44/4.” Acc. Reg.: “1844 no. 4 New Holland n. and nw. coast. Presented by Haslar Hospital. Collected by Bynoe esq. Surgeoan R.N.”