Distribution of 2 forms of the meat ant iridomyrmex purpureus hymenoptera formicidae on kangaroo island and in the yorke peninsula australia
Greenslade, P.J.M.
Australian Journal of Zoology 24(4): 557-564
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0004-959X
Accession: 005176136
The geographical distributions of the meat ants I. purpureus, s.s. and a blue form of uncertain specific status were surveyed on Kangaroo Island and the Yorke Peninsula [Australia]. The climate is mediterranean with dry summers, moderated in the southwest of land masses by maritime influences. The blue form occurs in areas of low rainfall; I. purpureus, s.s., is found in more humid areas but reaches a wet limit in western Kangaroo Island. In the Yorke Peninsula, annual and summer rainfall determine 3 climatic zones. Only the blue form was found in the zone of lowest rainfall, I. purpureus predominated in the high-rainfall zone, and both forms occurred in the intermediate zone where their relative frequency depended on soil properties, especially depth and texture.