Mayriella spinosior

This species has been found primarily in litter samples collected in rainforests with a few additional records from Eucalyptus woodlands. It occurs along essentially the entire Queensland coast with several inland records in the southern part of its range. This species is sympatric with Mayriella abstinens, to such an extent that they have been collected together in the same litter samples.

Identification
This species can be separated from others in this genus by the lateral margins of the postpetiole being expanded anteriorly and forming a trapezoid when viewed from above, combined with the lack of erect hairs on the gaster. (Shattuck and Barnett 2007)

Identification Keys including this Taxon

 * Key to Australian Leptomyrmex Species

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Biology
Species of Mayriella show strong preference for moist, forested areas. Most specimens have been collected from rainforest or wet sclerophyll woodlands with relatively few collections from dry sclerophyll or scrub habitats (and these are restricted to Australia). Nests are normally found in soil under stones or with a small mound of loose dirt at the entrance. They have also been found nesting in rotten logs and occasionally arboreally. The number of workers in nests averages between 50 and 100 and about one-half of the nest series containing queens contain more than one, suggesting that species are polygynous. Foraging workers are most commonly collected from litter samples. Nests appear to be locally abundant although patchily distributed on a larger scale. For example, in the Brindabella Ranges near Canberra, ACT, Mayriella ebbei is infrequently encountered and is known from only a few localities. However, near Baroomba Rocks (located on the eastern slope of the Brindabella Ranges) M. ebbei occurs commonly under rocks in an area covering several hundred square meters. This population appears limited to this small area as nests could not be found in areas with similar geography and vegetation located several kilometers away. However, observations are limited and additional data will be required to determine if these habits are widespread and/or occur in other species. Additionally, while Taylor (1961) made similar observations for Mayriella abstinens, these were based on the introduced population found in New Zealand and should be confirmed for naturally occurring populations of the genus. (Shattuck and Barnett 2007)

Nomenclature

 * . Mayriella spinosior Wheeler, W.M. 1935e: 159, fig. 1f-g (w.) AUSTRALIA (Queensland).
 * Type-material: holotype worker.
 * Type-locality: Australia: Queensland, Cairns Dist. (A.M. Lea).
 * Type-depository: MCZC.
 * Status as species: Taylor & Brown, 1985: 66; Taylor, 1987a: 37; Bolton, 1995b: 249; Shattuck & Barnett, 2007: 448 (redescription); Shattuck, 2007: 51 (in key).
 * Distribution: Australia.

Worker
Shattuck and Barnett (2007) - Sculpturing in posterior section of antennal scrobe well developed and distinct; sculpturing on dorsal surface of mesosoma consisting of large, closely spaced pits; propodeal spines relatively long and thin; dorsal surface of petiole in lateral profile angular and with distinct dorsal and posterior faces; in dorsal view, anterior region of postpetiole expanded relative to posterior region; dorsum of postpetiole with at most four erect hairs; gaster generally lacking erect hairs dorsally, very rarely (only known in one specimen) erect hairs present.

Measurements. Worker (n = 10) - CI 0.91-0.97; HL 0.44-0.57; HTL 0.24-0.32; HW 0.41- 0.55; ML 0.46-0.60; PW 0.29-0.40; SI 0.59-0.65; SL 0.26-0.33.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Andrew N., L. Rodgerson, and A. York. 2000. Frequent fuel-reduction burning: the role of logs and associated leaf litter in the conservation of ant biodiversity. Austral Ecology 25: 99107.
 * Osunkoya O. O., C. Polo, and A. N. Andersen. 2011. Invasion impacts on biodiversity: response of ant communities to infestation by cat's claw creeper vine, Macfadyena unguis-cati (Bignoniaceae) in subtropical Australia. Biol. Invasions 13: 2289-2302.
 * Shattuck S. O., N. J. Barnett. 2007. Revision of the ant genus Mayriella. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 80: 437-458.
 * Taylor R. W. 1987. A checklist of the ants of Australia, New Caledonia and New Zealand (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization) Division of Entomology Report 41: 1-92.
 * Taylor R. W. 1991. Nomenclature and distribution of some Australasian ants of the Myrmicinae (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 30: 599-614.
 * Taylor R. W., and D. R. Brown. 1985. Formicoidea. Zoological Catalogue of Australia 2: 1-149.
 * Wheeler W. M. 1935. The Australian ant genus Mayriella Forel. Psyche (Cambridge) 42: 151-160.