Revision of the Iridomyrmex calvus species-group (Hymenoptera : Formicidae)

Abstract

The calvus species-group of the ant genus Iridomyrmex Mayr is defined for the first time and revised at the species level. Fifteen species are placed in three complexes within the group, with eleven species newly described. The group consists of the following species: I. albitarsus Wheeler; I. anderseni, sp. nov.; I. anteroinclinus, sp. nov.; I. argutus, sp. nov.; I. calvus Emery; I. cappoinclinus, sp. nov.; I. cephaloinclinus, sp. nov.; I. hesperus, sp. nov.; I. mimulus, sp. nov.; I. notialis, sp. nov.; I. obsidianus Emery; I. occiduus, sp. nov.; I. prismatis, sp. nov.; I. rufoinclinus, sp. nov.; and I. viridigaster Clark. A lectotype is designated for I. calvus Emery. A key to species is included and distributions and biologies are summarised.