Polyrhachis ammon

Polyrhachis ammon is a widespread and relatively common, ground-nesting species, mostly occuring in open eucalypt forests along the eastern Australian seaboard. It ranges from northern Queensland south to Victoria and as far inland as the Australian Capital Territory, however, it becomes rather uncommon towards the northern limit of its distribution.

Identification
Kohout (2013): Polyrhachis ammon closely resembles Polyrhachis uncaria, however, they differ in numerous characters, discussed in the remarks section under P. uncaria.

Throughout its range P. ammon forms numerous, more-or-less overlapping populations that often, to some extent, differ morphologically from the holotype. However, when specimens from across the entire distribution were compared, no taxonomically significant variability was evident and I believe that all the examined populations are conspecific.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  ammon. Formica ammon Fabricius, 1775: 394 (w.) AUSTRALIA. Mayr, 1876: 72 (q.m.); Imai, Crozier & Taylor, 1977: 347 (k.). Combination in Polyrhachis: Smith, F. 1858b: 73; in P. (Hagiomyrma): Wheeler, W.M. 1911c: 860. Senior synonym of angustata: Kohout, 1988c: 430.
 * angustata. Polyrhachis ammon var. angustata Forel, 1902h: 525 (w.) AUSTRALIA. Combination in P. (Hagiomyrma): Emery, 1925b: 184. Junior synonym of ammon: Kohout, 1988c: 430.

Additional References

 * Kohout, R.J. 2013. Revision of Polyrhachis (Hagiomyrma) Wheeler, 1911 (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum, Nature 56, 487-577.