Peronomyrmex greavesi

This species is known from a single specimen collected in 1937 by Tom Greaves. Despite extensive collecting in the area since this species has yet to be found again. As with other species in this genus, this is likely caused by its arboreal and nocturnal habits.

Identification
Shattuck (2006) - This species can be separated from others in this genus by the absence of distinct sculpturing on the dorsum of the head, the broadly concave posterior face of the postpetiole and in having the area between humeral angles flat. This is also the northernmost species known in this genus.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  greavesi. Peronomyrmex greavesi Shattuck, 2006: 53, figs. 5-7 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Shattuck (2006) - The type was collected in 1937 by Tom Greaves and subsequently sent to W. L. Brown for study (Shattuck 1999). After its initial examination it was apparently placed in the where it sat quietly until its “rediscovery” by B. Heterick in late 2004 (B. Heterick, pers. comm.). R. Taylor (pers. comm..), in preparing the first detailed study of this genus (Taylor 1970), had contacted Brown asking of the location of this specimen and had been told that it had been returned to Australia. However, examination of various Australian collections failed to locate it. It appears that the specimen had been carefully curated, labelled as a Peronomyrmex and placed safely in the MCZ, readily accessible to anyone taking the time to look for it (although one would need to understand the tribal classification of the myrmicines and the placement of Peronomyrmex within this system, as the collection was then organised by tribes).

Worker
Total length 3.4 mm; maximum head length 0.81 mm; maximum head width (behind eyes) 0.73 mm; maximum diameter of eye 0.20 mm; scape length 0.60 mm; cephalic index (HW/HLx100) 90; scape index (SL/HWx100) 82; width across pronotal humeri 0.55 mm; Weber’s length of mesosoma 1.07 mm; dorsal petiole width 0.19 mm; maximum petiole height 0.36 mm; dorsal postpetiole width 0.21 mm; maximum postpetiole height 0.28 mm. Head capsule (Fig. 5) shiny, with a very fine network of microsculpture. Dorsal surface of mesosoma (Fig. 6) with weak longitudinal rugae which are more abundant laterally, absent centrally, underlying surface with indistinct, irregular weakly formed punctations. Lateral regions of mesosoma similar to dorsal surface but with longitudinal rugae shorter and less well defined. Petiole and postpetiole with smooth and weakly sculptured areas. Gaster smooth, shiny and with microreticulate sculpturing. Entire body covered with suberect, bluntly pointed hairs (those on gaster narrowly pointed rather than blunt). Colour chestnut-brown, dorsal areas slightly darker, lateral areas slightly lighter.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Shattuck S. O. 2006. A third species in the rare Australian ant genus Peronomyrmex Viehmeyer (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zootaxa 1194: 49-55.