Taxonomic history
Roger, 1861a PDF: 34 (q.); Clark, 1925b PDF: 143 (q.m.); Wheeler & Wheeler, 1971d PDF: 254 (l.).Senior synonym of Myrmecia vindex basirufa: Ogata & Taylor, 1991 PDF: 1661.See also: Forel, 1907j PDF: 264; Crawley, 1926 PDF: 376; Clark, 1951 PDF: 67; Douglas & Brown, 1959 PDF: 14; Haskins & Haskins, 1974 PDF: 258.Worker. Length 7 lines.-Ferruginous, with the abdomen black; the nodes of the petiole ferruginous; the sculpture nearly the same as in M. sanguinea ; the mandibles are, however, longer, more strongly toothed, and of a pale yellow colour; the nodes of the petiole are more elongate, and the petiole of the first node is longer and more slender; the insect is of a duller red than M. sanguinea ; the head sometimes fuscous-red.
Hab. West Australia.
Myrmecia vindex is a species of Myrmecia which is native in Australia. As a subgroup of the Myrmecia gulosa species group, these ants are also commonly known as the Bull Ant.[1] The Myrmecia vindex was collected and described by Frederick Smith in 1858.[2]
Myrmecia vindex's are around 21 millimetres long on average, and they have normally have a red head, and a black abdomen. Their mandibles are long, strongly toothed, and appears in a yellow palish colour.[3]
These ants are commonly found in western Australia, but also ranges further into South Australia. They prefers to live in open, dry woodland habitat.[4]
The nocturnal M. vindex relies exclusively on vision for navigation with eyes having ultraviolet-, blue- and a green-sensitive photoreceptor cells.[5] Compared to other species within the genus Myrmecia, M. vindex are socially less evolved and typically have small populations. During the height of their breeding season, Myrmecia vindex commonly pile discarded cocoons and shed exoskeletons on the crater of their nest, near the entrance.[4]
Myrmecia vindex is a species of Myrmecia which is native in Australia. As a subgroup of the Myrmecia gulosa species group, these ants are also commonly known as the Bull Ant. The Myrmecia vindex was collected and described by Frederick Smith in 1858.
