taxonID	type	description	language	source
038FD126FF87C85DFF24FCB77880FA59.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Workers of Aenictus may be separated from other Australian ants by their moderately small size (less than about 4 mm), lack of eyes, long slender bodies and long legs. They are superficially similar to some myrmicines but differ in lacking the frontal lobes and in having the antennal sockets completely visible when viewed from the front (myrmicines have frontal lobes that are expanded towards the sides of the head and partly cover the antennal sockets). Some of the smaller, paler species are also similar to Leptanilla workers, but differ in being larger and only ten segments in the antennae rather than 12, and lacking a flexible promesonotal suture. Males of Aenictus can be separated from those of other Australian ants by the exposed antennal sockets and lack of a postpetiole (the gaster is smooth and lacks a constriction between the first and second segments).	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF86C85CFF24FE5F7DFDF991.taxon	description	Types. Holotype worker from 9 km ENE Mt. Tozer, 12 ° 43 ’ S 143 ° 17 ’ E, Queensland, 5 – 10 July 1986, J. C. Cardale, ex. pan traps (ANIC, ANIC 32 - 023688). Two paratype workers, same data as holotype (ANIC, ANIC 32 - 023646).	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF86C85CFF24FE5F7DFDF991.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Head capsule entirely smooth and essentially uniformly coloured; scape relatively short (SI <91); sculpturing on pronotum extending posteriorly onto the main pronotal body; body larger (HW> 0.62 mm). This species is morphologically similar to A. turneri but can be separated from it by its larger size and more extensive sculpturing on the pronotum.	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF86C85CFF24FE5F7DFDF991.taxon	description	Worker Description. Mandible narrow and subtriangular, with a large apical tooth and a smaller subapical tooth followed by 4 – 6 small teeth and a larger basal tooth; anterior clypeal border varying from weakly convex to weakly concave, located at or slightly posterior to anterior margin of frontal lobes in full face view; parafrontal ridges absent; subpetiolar process a large rectangular to elongate-rectangular projection; head entirely smooth, pronotum with weak, closely spaced punctures dorsally and anteriorly, smooth posterolaterally, remainder of mesosoma finely punctate with weak longitudinal rugae on lateral surfaces; body yellowred to light red-brown. Measurements. Worker (n = 13) - CI 88 – 97; HL 0.66 – 0.73; MTL 0.59 – 0.67; HW 0.62 – 0.66; ML 1.07 – 1.17; SI 81 – 91; SL 0.53 – 0.58.	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF86C85CFF24FE5F7DFDF991.taxon	materials_examined	Additional material examined. Australia: Northern Territory: Douglas Daly, CRC Clay Site A 5 (Salvarani, A.) (TERC); Douglas Daly, CRC Clay Site A 8 (Salvarani, A.) (TERC); PWCNT, Tiwi Island Fauna Survey FR (Woinarski, J.) (TERC); Solar Village Survey, Burnt Slope 3 (Andersen, A. N.) (TERC). Queensland: 9 km ENE Mt. Tozer (Cardale, J. C.) (ANIC). Western Australia: Kimberley, CALM Site 4 / 3 (Weir, T.) (TERC).	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF86C85CFF24FE5F7DFDF991.taxon	discussion	Comments. This rare species is known from a limited number of collections in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, northern Northern Territory and on Cape York Peninsula, Queensland. All specimens were collection from pitfall traps or pan traps. It is very similar to A. turneri but the differences outlined above under Diagnosis seem to hold for all currently available specimens and it is here recognised as a separate taxon.	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF86C859FF24F90A7C54F83F.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Head capsule completely punctate; scape relatively short (SI <103); pronotum entirely sculptured with dense micro-reticulations. This species can be separated from the morphologically similar A. nesiotis by the broader head (CI> 87 and HW> 0.70 mm compared to CI <88 and HW <0.70 mm) and the relatively shorter scapes (SI <103 compared to SI> 107 in A. nesiotis).	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF86C859FF24F90A7C54F83F.taxon	description	Worker Description. Mandible triangular with numerous small teeth, those along the medial region of the masticatory margin ill defined; anterior clypeal border broadly convex, extending slightly anterior of frontal lobes; parafrontal ridges well developed, extending posteriorly approximately 1 / 3 length of head capsule; subpetiolar process broadly convex anteriorly, flat posteriorly; head entirely punctate; mesosoma uniformly punctate, generally with weak, ill-defined longitudinal rugae on dorsum of pronotum and lateral surfaces posterior of pronotum; body brown to black, anterior section of head sometimes lighter, distal antennae and legs always lighter. Measurements. Worker (n = 18) - CI 87 – 93; HL 0.78 – 0.88; HW 0.70 – 0.78; MTL 0.67 – 0.75; ML 1.17 – 1.29; SI 96 – 103; SL 0.70 – 0.78.	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF86C859FF24F90A7C54F83F.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Australia: Queensland: 20 km S Sarina Ridge (Lowery, B. B.) (ANIC); 50 km NW Townsville (Greenslade, P. J. M.) (ANIC); Henrietta Ck., Palmerston NP (Ward, P. S.) (ANIC); Hinchinbrook Is., Gayundah Ck. (Davies, Thompson & Gallon) (ANIC); Mackay (Turner) (ANIC); Northern Territory: Minaelu Creek, Melville Island (Mann, S.) (TERC).	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF86C859FF24F90A7C54F83F.taxon	discussion	Comments. This species was previously thought to be wide spread and occurring from India eastward into Australia (Wilson, 1964). However, as conceived here this species is restricted to Australia with extra- Australian specimens being referable to A. aitkenii, A. levior and likely additional as-yet unrecognised species. Detailed examination of this material will be required to resolve the true taxonomic status of these non- Australian ants.	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF86C859FF24F90A7C54F83F.taxon	description	Assembling this information, what seems to have happened is that Forel (around 1893) determined that he had a new taxon which he intended to name impressus and labelled the specimens using this name. However, when preparing the 1900 description he changed the name to A. aratus but neglected to update the specimen labels. He then sent a pin from this series to Karavaiev, who used the name on the specimen (impressus) when establishing A. levior (Karavaiev, 1926) not realising that this name was unpublished. Karavaiev (1927) then made matters worse by providing enough information for the name to be considered available by Bolton (1995). To confuse things further Forel’s (1893 notes and 1900) comparisons with the Indian species A. aitkenii and A. bengalensis implied that this is an Indian species. In fact, it would appear that both of these names, A. aratus and A. impressus, are based on the same type series from Mackay, Queensland. Using this assumption, a single specimen housed in Geneva is here selected as the lectotype for both names, relegating A. impressus as a junior objective synonym of A. aratus. The published literature for this species is limited. Wilson (1964) discussed the biology and taxonomy of this and related species (under the single name “ A. aratus ”) and Disney and Kistner (1991) discuss parasitism by phorid flies.	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF82C858FF24FF37788BFB99.taxon	description	Types. Holotype worker from Telegraph Line Crossing, Jardine River, Cape York, Queensland, 15 – 17 June 1969, G. Monteith (ANIC, ANIC 32 - 023689). 29 paratype workers, same data as holotype (ANIC, MCZC, QMBA, ANIC 32 - 015742, ANIC 32 - 015768, ANIC 32 - 015774, ANIC 32 - 029319, ANIC 32 - 032139).	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF82C858FF24FF37788BFB99.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. “ Eye spots ” present on posterolateral corners of head; subpetiolar process generally absent but sometimes present as a slight carina. This is the only known Australian species of the genus with “ eye spots ” (pale pigmentation on the dorsolateral region of the head capsule).	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF82C858FF24FF37788BFB99.taxon	description	Worker Description. Mandible subtriangular, with a large apical tooth, a smaller subapical tooth and a series of 4 - ca. 10 ill-defined crenulations; anterior clypeal border convex, extending anterior of anterior surfaces of frontal lobes in full face view; parafrontal ridges absent (although a sharp angle is present immediately posterior of the lateral clypeal margin); subpetiolar process absent or at most a thin carina; head entirely smooth, posterior pronotum smooth, anterior pronotum and entire mesonotum with weak, fine puncations, mesopleuron with longitudinal rugae, propodeum similar to mesonotum but sculpturing less well developed, especially anteriorly; body yellow-red with “ Typhlatta ” spots (pale yellow patches) on posterolateral corners of head. Measurements. Worker (n = 9) - CI 83 – 88; HL 0.85 – 0.95; HW 0.74 – 0.83; MTL 0.78 – 0.97; ML 1.39 – 1.59; SI 95 – 103; SL 0.71 – 0.83.	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF82C858FF24FF37788BFB99.taxon	materials_examined	Additional material examined. Australia: Queensland: 9 km ENE Mt. Tozer (Cardale, J. C.) (ANIC).	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF82C858FF24FF37788BFB99.taxon	discussion	Comments. This is one of the rarest species of Australian Aenictus, being known from only two collections on northern Cape York Peninsula. Its closest relatives, species formerly placed in the subgenus Typhlatta, are found from India east to the Philippines and south to Papua New Guinea. This species is similar to the PNG species A. huonicus but differs in having more extensive sculpturing on the mesosoma and petiole.	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF82C858FF24FB377E80F831.taxon	discussion	Comments. A. hilli was described by Clark (1928) from a single male collected at Malanda, Queensland. There are numerous males in ANIC which are morphologically similar to the type of A. hilli. Unfortunately none are associated with workers. In addition, the remaining described Australian species are all worker-based and without associated males. This makes it impossible to positively associate A. hilli with any of these other species. Distribution patterns give little clue as to the association either as Aenictus aratus, A. nesiotis, A. prolixus and A. turneri all occur in the general area of the type locality of A. hilli. Thus there is currently insufficient information to associate A. hilli, or any of these other males, with any of the worker-based species. As a result A. hilli is here treated as a valid species and these additional males tentatively associated with it until such time that worker-associated males or fresh material suitable for molecular analysis can be secured.	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF82C858FF24FB377E80F831.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined (all unassociated males). Australia: Northern Territory: 34 mi. NW of Dorisvale HS (Mendum, M.) (ANIC); 39 km E of Alice Springs (Cardale, J. C.) (ANIC); 4 mi. W of Coolibah H. S. (Mendum, M.) (ANIC); 48 mi. SW of Daly River (Mendum, M.) (ANIC); 5 mi. ENE Victoria River Downs (Kelsey, L. P.) (ANIC); Daly River Mission (Hutchinson, J. F.) (ANIC); Katherine (Kelsey, L. P.) (ANIC); Todd River, 9 km N by E of Alice Springs (Cardale, J. C.) (ANIC); Queensland: Bamaga (Sedlacek, J.) (ANIC); Lockerbie, Cape York (Sedlacek, J.) (ANIC); Malanda (Hill, G. F.) (ANIC); West Claudie River, Iron Range (Monteith, G. B. & Cook, D.) (ANIC); Western Australia: Carson Escarpment (Common, I. F. B. & Upton, M. S.) (ANIC); Drysdale River (Common, I. F. B. & Upton, M. S.) (ANIC).	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF8FC853FF24FB1B7865FC77.taxon	description	Aenictus (Aenictus) aratus subsp. nesiotis Wheeler, W. M. & Chapman, in Wheeler, 1930: 208. Types. One syntype worker from Los Banos and 39 syntype workers from Dumaguete, Philippine Islands (MCZC, examined).	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF8FC853FF24FB1B7865FC77.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Head capsule completely punctate; pronotum entirely sculptured with dense micro-reticulations. This species is most similar to A. aratus, but differs in the narrower head (CI <88 and HW <0.70 mm compared to CI> 87 and HW> 0.70 mm in A. aratus) and the longer scapes (SI> 107 compared to <103 in A. aratus).	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF8FC853FF24FB1B7865FC77.taxon	description	Worker Description. Mandible triangular with numerous small teeth, those along the medial region of the masticatory margin ill defined; anterior clypeal border broadly convex, extending slightly anterior of frontal lobes; parafrontal ridges well developed, extending posteriorly approximately 1 / 3 length of head capsule; subpetiolar process broadly convex anteriorly, flat posteriorly; head entirely punctate; mesosoma uniformly punctate, generally with weak, ill-defined longitudinal rugae on dorsum of pronotum and lateral surfaces posterior of pronotum; body brown to black, anterior section of head sometimes lighter, distal antennae and legs always lighter. Measurements. Worker (n = 15) - CI 82 – 88; HL 0.75 – 0.84; HW 0.64 – 0.70; MTL 0.67 – 0.79; ML 1.11 – 1.24; SI 107 – 115; SL 0.70 – 0.78.	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF8FC853FF24FB1B7865FC77.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Australia: Queensland: 20 km N Cairns (Lowery, B. B.) (ANIC); 4.5 km NNW Cape Tribulation (Wild, A. L.) (ANIC); 40 m. from Laceys Cr. (Taylor, R. W. & Feehan, J. E.) (ANIC); Cape Tribulation (Kistner, D. H., Kistner, A. C., Nutting, W. L. & Nutting, R. D.) (ANIC); Emmagen Ck., 5.0 km N of Cape Tribulation (Monteith, G. B., Yeates & Thompson) (ANIC); Noah Creek, Cape Tribulation (Moneith, G. B.) (ANIC); S 2 Mission Beach (Cermak, M.) (ANIC). Papua New Guinea: East Sepik: Yawasora nr. Wewak (Taylor, R. W.) (ANIC): Morobe: Bulolo (Lowery, B. B.) (ANIC); Ebabaang, Mongi Watershed, Huon Pen. (Wilson, E. O.) (MCZC); Kua River, Laulaunung (Wilson, E. O.) (MCZC); nr. Lae (Taylor, R. W.) (ANIC); Northern: 3.2 km N of Kokoda; (Lowery, B. B.) (ANIC); Buna (Room, P. M.) (ANIC); Kokoda Trail nr. Kokoda; (Lowery, B. B.) (ANIC). Philippine Islands: Los Banos (Williams, F. X.) (MCZC); Dumaguete (Chapman, J. W.; Schneira, T. C.) (ANIC, MCZC); Iwahig Penal Colony (Lowery, B. B.) (ANIC).	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF8FC853FF24FB1B7865FC77.taxon	discussion	Comments. This is the widest spread Australian species of Aenictus with populations occurring in the Philippines and Papua New Guinea. The non-Australian material placed here shows only minor differences from Australian populations, none of which suggest separate species are involved. These differences include a slightly broader anterior petiolar face and less distinct sculpturing in Philippines specimens (especially those from Palawan) compared to most PNG / Australian specimens. However, both of these characters show considerable variation with essentially all morphologies found in both regions. Because of this all specimens are considered to belong to a single wide-ranging species. The larva described by Wheeler and Wheeler (1984) under the name A. aratus originated from the Philippines and had previously been identified as “ A. a. nesiotus var. fraterculus ” (an unavailable infrasubspecific name associated with A. aratus by Wilson, 1964). It is likely this larva belongs to A. nesiotus rather than A. aratus as A. aratus is not known to occur in the Philippines.	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF89C853FF24FC5D79B5F8F7.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Head capsule smooth posteriorly and weakly punctate between the frontal carinae and above the mandibular insertions; pronotum with large smooth areas dorsally and laterally, other areas micro-reticulate.	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF89C853FF24FC5D79B5F8F7.taxon	description	Worker Description. Mandible broad, triangular, with 6 – 9 widely spaced short teeth; anterior clypeal border broadly convex, even with or slightly posterior to anterior margin of frontal lobes; parafrontal ridges present; subpetiolar process weakly developed, broadly rounded anteriorly, flat posteriorly; head smooth laterally, remainder weakly to moderately punctate; posterior section of pronotum and entire mesonotum completely smooth to very weakly reticulate; anterior of pronotum, mesopleuron and entire propodeum weakly punctuate; body red-brown, head, antennae and legs lighter yellow-red. Measurements. Worker (n = 10) - CI 88 – 94; HL 0.66 – 0.71; HW 0.59 – 0.67; MTL 0.47 – 0.57; ML 0.96 – 1.06; SI 83 – 89; SL 0.52 – 0.59.	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF89C853FF24FC5D79B5F8F7.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Australia: Queensland: Claudie River, Iron Range (Monteith, G.) (ANIC). Papua New Guinea: Morobe: Bulolo (Lowery, B. B.) (ANIC).	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF89C853FF24FC5D79B5F8F7.taxon	discussion	Comments. This rare species has been collected only a limited number of times on Cape York Peninsula, Queensland and in eastern Papua New Guinea. Nothing is known concerning its biology.	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF88C852FF24FF37780AFA59.taxon	description	Types. Holotype worker from Baroalba Gorge, 12 ° 50 ’ S 132 ° 52 ’ E, 18 Nov. 1972, R. W. Taylor & J. E. Feehan, Acc. N. 72.1076, rainforest, under stone (ANIC, ANIC 32 - 002810). 18 paratype workers, same data as holotype (ANIC, MCZC, QMBA, ANIC 32 - 015781).	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF88C852FF24FF37780AFA59.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Head capsule entirely smooth and essentially uniformly coloured; scape relatively long (SI> 89); subpetiolar process large and rectangular. This species is most similar to A. acerbus and A. turneri but can be separated from these by the longer scapes.	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF88C852FF24FF37780AFA59.taxon	description	Worker Description. Mandible triangular, with a large apical tooth and a smaller subapical tooth followed by 6 – 7 (rarely 5) small teeth and a larger basal tooth; anterior clypeal border weakly convex to weakly concave, located at or anterior to anterior margins of frontal lobes in full face view; parafrontal ridges absent; subpetiolar process a large rectangular project, an elongate flange sometimes present on the posterior corner; head entirely smooth, pronotum weakly reticulate on collar, smooth posteriorly and laterally, mesonotum smooth, mesopleuron and propodeum finely punctate with longitudinal rugae laterally; body yellow-red, mesosoma slightly darker. Measurements. Worker (n = 13) - CI 81 – 90; HL 0.55 – 0.62; HW 0.46 – 0.54; MTL 0.43 – 0.57; ML 0.84 – 0.98; SI 89 – 96; SL 0.42 – 0.51.	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF88C852FF24FF37780AFA59.taxon	materials_examined	Additional material examined: Australia: Northern Territory: Baroalba Gorge (Taylor, R. W. & Feehan, J. E.) (ANIC); Fauna Survey Central Arnhem Land, P 41, Djabidy Djabidy (Mann, S.) (TERC); Fauna Survey Darwin Region, P 48, Tjenya Falls (Mann, S.) (TERC); Fogg Dam (Reichel, H.) (TERC); Gove (Majer, J. D.) (ANIC); Holmes Jungle, Darwin Region (Andersen, A. N.; Reichel, H.) (TERC); Howard Springs Res. (Hoffmann, B.) (TERC); Mary River Study, Mt. Daly (Armstrong, M.) (TERC); Murgenella (Tiedeman, S. C.) (ANIC); Surprise Ck. Falls, Litchfield Park (Hoffmann, B.) (TERC); Queensland: 3 km ENE Mt. Tozer (Cardale, J. C.) (ANIC); 4.5 km NNW Cape Tribulation (Ward, P. S.; Wild, A. L.) (ANIC); Horne Creek, 23 km N Coen (Ward, P. S.) (ANIC); Iron Range (Jenkins, R.) (ANIC); Kuranda, Black Mt. Road (Taylor, R. W. & Feehan, J.) (ANIC); Lizard Island (Hoffmann, B.; Shepherd, U.) (TERC); Moses Ck., 4 km N by E Mt. Finnigan (Cardale, J. C.) (ANIC); S 3 Mission Beach (Cermak, M.) (ANIC); Torres Strait, Murray Is. (Heatwole, H.) (ANIC); Weipa, MRRP Study Site N 26 (Andersen, A. N.) (TERC).	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF88C852FF24FF37780AFA59.taxon	discussion	Comments. This common species is found in northern Northern Territory and northern Queensland. It is most similar to A. acerbus and A. turneri but can be separated as outlined above under Diagnosis. It is probable that at least some of the males here associated with A. hilli may actually belong to this species.	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF88C850FF24FA427F0FFC77.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Head capsule entirely smooth and essentially uniformly coloured; scape relatively short (SI <91); subpetiolar process large and rectangular. This species can be separated from the otherwise similar A. prolixus by the shorter scape, and from A. acerbus by its smaller size and largely smooth pronotum.	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF88C850FF24FA427F0FFC77.taxon	description	Worker Description. Mandible narrow to narrowly subtriangular (depending on number of denticles), with a large apical tooth, a smaller subapical tooth, 0 – 6 denticles and 1 – 2 basal teeth (always two basal teeth if denticles are absent); anterior clypeal border flat to convex, posterior of anterior surfaces of frontal lobes in full face view; parafrontal ridges absent; subpetiolar process subrectangular, sometimes with a posterior flange; head and pronotum entirely smooth (except the pronotal collar, which is punctate), mesopleuron and entire propodeum with weak, ill defined punctations under weak longitudinal rugae; body uniform yellow, mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole slightly darker. Measurements. Worker (n = 37) - CI 83 – 94; HL 0.48 – 0.66; HW 0.40 – 0.61; MTL 0.29 – 0.59; ML 0.64 – 1.00; SI 61 – 89; SL 0.25 – 0.49.	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF88C850FF24FA427F0FFC77.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Australia: New South Wales: Fowlers Gap Stn, 110 km N Broken Hill (Davison, E. A.) (ANIC); Glenugie State Forest, 15 mi. S Grafton (Lowery, B. B.) (ANIC); Lismore (collector unknown; Duequet, C. F.) (ANIC); Mt. Nullum, Murwillumbah (Lowery, B. B.) (ANIC); Murwillumbah (Lowery, B. B.) (ANIC); Whiporie, 55 km S Casino (York, A.) (ANIC); Northern Territory: Annaburroo, CRC Clay Site B 15 (Salvarani, A.) (TERC); CSIRO Labs, Darwin (Salvarani, A.) (TERC); Kakadu Nat. Park, Kapalga (Andersen, A. N.) (TERC); Kakadu Nat. Park, Munmarlary (Andersen, A. N.) (TERC); Kapalga, Kakadu Natl. Pk (Andersen, A. N.) (ANIC); Kidman Sprs., CRC Clay Site B 4 (Salvarani, A.) (TERC); OSS Study Site D 6 b, Ranger Lease (Andersen, A. N.) (TERC); OSS Study Site N 4, Ranger Lease (Andersen, A. N.) (TERC) ;; Wildman Rsv., High Gamba (Ryan, B.) (TERC); Queensland: 5 km NbyE of Mt. Morgan (Taylor, R. W. & Weir, T. A.) (ANIC); Adams Credition State Forest, Clarke Range, Mackay (collector unknown) (TERC); Atherton Tableland, Yungaburra Region, Donaghys Corridor (Cutter, A. & King, J.) (TERC); Backshall Farm, Malanda (Cutter, A. D.) (ANIC); Bauple, State Forest 958 (House, A. P. N. & Vanderwoude, C.) (TERC); Callide Ck. Mine, Biloela, Site 10 (Smith, A.) (TERC); Cedar Creek, Tamborine Mt. (Brown, W. L.) (ANIC); Cooloola (Plowman, K.) (ANIC); Cooloola Natl. Pk., Noosa R. (Greenslade, P. J. M.) (ANIC); Cooloola, Chalambar (Greenslade, P. J. M.) (ANIC); Crystal Cascades (collector unknown) (TERC); Lake Eacham National Park (Taylor, R. W.) (ANIC); Fraser Island, Bsh 101 (Collier, P.) (TERC); Fraser Island, CTF 21 (Collier, P.) (TERC); Mackay (collector unknown) (ANIC); Malanda, Backshall Farm 1989 Planting (Cutter, A. D.) (TERC); Prince Henry Drive, Toowoomba (Weatherill, L.) (ANIC); Suburban Brisbane (Vanderwoude, C.) (TERC); Townsville Field Training Area / Tabletop M 2 RIPA (Woinarski, J.) (TERC); Weipa, MRRP Study Site Pinus B (Andersen, A. N.) (TERC); Western Australia: 146.8 km SSE Newman (van Leeuwen, S. & Bromilow, R. N.) (JDMC); Barrow Island (Callan, S. & Edwards, K.) (JDMC); Mulga, NE Goldfields (Pringle, H. J. R.) (TERC).	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF88C850FF24FA427F0FFC77.taxon	discussion	Comments. This is the most common, widespread and southern-most species of Aenictus found in Australia. It occurs in a range of habitats from dry sclerophyll through Banksia shrublands and into rainforests. As with other species nests are in soil generally under rocks and logs on the ground. The queen has been collected only once, by B. B. Lowery, together with workers from Murwillumbah, NSW, in September, 1962. It is likely that at least some of the males here associated with A. hilli actually belong to this species. Morphologically, the subpetiolar process is always subrectangular but shows considerable variation, even within single nest series. The anterior face is always angular and the posterior face a gentle to strong convexity, but the posterior angle often has a projecting flange that varies from short to long. This flange is visually striking and gives the appearance of a greater amount of variation that is actually present based on the underlying process. When the flange is present the posterior face tends to be more strongly convex while in cases where the flange is absent the posterior face is more weakly convex. Even though widespread, the outlying populations are similar to others. For example the Fowlers Gap specimens (from western New South Wales) are similar to those from Lismore (some 1100 km to the east) in the shape of subpetiolar process and in having reduced sculpturing compared to others. There would appear to be minimal geographic differentiation within this species. Aenictus turneri is similar to the Indonesian and Papua New Guinean species A. orientalis but differs in having the humeral angles of the pronotum rounded rather than weakly angular and in being essentially uniform in colour (the head and legs are noticeably lighter than the mesosoma in A. orientalis). A number of distinct species from the Philippines have been associated with A. turneri (when all were considered conspecific with A. ceylonicus). Most of the Philippine species differ from A. turneri in having thin, weakly convex subpetiolar processes. However, one species (based on specimens from 18 km E Naga City and Camp, Dumaguete, both in MCZC) has a projecting rectangular subpetiolar process similar to that found in A. turneri. This material differs from Australian specimens in having shorter legs (especially tibiae), a more block-like postpetiolar node (although there is some variation in Australian material) and a darker, more reddish and less yellowish mesosoma; it is here treated as belonging to a separate species. These Philippine specimens are very similar to the types of A. ceylonicus var. latro Forel, which is currently a junior synonym of A. ceylonicus. Aenictus exiguus was last considered in detail by Brown (1958). Unfortunately he apparently did not have access to the type specimen, a holotype worker from Cairns district, Queensland, reported as being in the South Australian Museum. A search during this study failed to find this specimen and it is assumed to have been lost. The only clue to the identity of this species is Clark’s (1934) illustration. In this figure the scape is short, as in A. turneri rather than long, as found in A. prolixus. Based on this it is assumed that Clark’s exiguus is conspecific with A. turneri. To secure this treatment a neotype is designated, this specimen being considered conspecific with A. turneri.	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF8AC850FF24FBF2791FF9F2.taxon	discussion	Comments. This species is similar to A. aratus (with which it has been treated as a junior synonym) and A. nesiotis but differs in having a broader head (CI> 87 versus CI <88 in nesiotis), and broader and more bulbous petiole and postpetiole (both are narrower in aratus and nesiotis). The scape is also relatively longer than in the others (SI> 115 versus SI <115). It is similar to levior in the shape of the head but differs in having longer scapes. This species is so far known only from India and Sri Lanka.	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF8AC84FFF24F92D7DFDFAE7.taxon	discussion	Comments. As previously conceived (Wilson, 1964: 452) this species extended from India and Sri Lanka eastward to Taiwan and south to Australia and contained eight junior synonyms (formosensis Forel, latro Forel, orientalis Karavaiev, papuanus Donisthorpe, similis Donisthorpe, and turneri Forel (with its junior synonyms deuqueti Crawley and exiguus Clark )). When discussing the specimens placed in ceylonicus Wilson (1964) recognised at least some of the variation noted in this study (for example, see Wilson’s figs. 37 – 44), but interpreted this variation as intraspecific. For example he mentioned that the subpetiolar process varies considerably in its development, but did not appreciate that this variation occurs in discrete states and shows a strong geographic pattern suggesting that a series of species are involved. A careful re-examination of these characters, combined with considerably more material, has resulted in significantly different conclusions being drawn compared to Wilson (1964). An examination of currently available material has found that the old “ ceylonicus ” contains a large number of species, including A. ceylonicus (strict sense), A. acerbus, A. orientalis, A. papuanus, A. prolixus and A. turneri. To determine the identity of A. ceylonicus itself will require considerable work and is beyond the scope of the present study. However, there are a wealth of morphological characters which allow the development of robust species hypotheses as has been demonstrated above for the Australian fauna. Having said that, morphological differences among species are often subtle and require considerable attention to detail to decipher. The following notes are provided as a starting point for a full revision of these ants. Most of the Indian specimens share the configuration of the subpetiolar process, which forms a rounded anterior lobe followed by a posterior flat to concave extension ending at the junction with the postpetiole. Others have an elongate rectangular subpetiolar process, including the types of A. latro. Specimens with both of these morphologies can be found throughout Asia including in Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia. But while material from Vietnam has a rectangular subpetiolar process it has the dorsal surface of the mesosoma smooth and lacking any indication of the metanotal groove (most other species have at least a weak angle at the metanotal groove). Thus while the shape of the subpetiolar process is important it must be used in conjunction with other characters when determining species boundaries. While the work undertaken here is preliminary, it clearly shows that the situation surrounding this species, and close relatives, is much more complex than that recognised by earlier workers. As a first step in clarifying this situation the names A. orientalis and A. turneri are treated as valid species, A. papuanus and A. similis are transferred to synonymy with A. orientalis while A. formosensis and A. latro are retained as junior synonyms of A. ceylonicus. However this should be treated as preliminary until all relevant material can be studied in detail.	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF95C84FFF24FA377953F889.taxon	discussion	Comments. Aenictus material from Indonesia is uncommon in collections and drawing conclusions on the species involved is difficult. However, it would appear that levior is a valid species and not a junior synonym of aratus as suggested earlier. Morphologically this species has a head shape similar to aitkenii (relatively broad) but the scape is shorter. However, this analysis is based on limited material and should be considered tentative until additional specimens become available. Material referable to this species has been examined from Sumatra, Indonesia, peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak, Malaysia.	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
038FD126FF94C84EFF24FF377FF4FC41.taxon	discussion	Comments. In this species the pronotal humeral angles are well developed, causing the anterodorsal surface of the pronotum to be nearly vertical, in dorsal view the area between the humeral angles is weakly convex to weakly concave. This is in contrast to the otherwise similar A. prolixus and A. turneri where the humeral angles are weakly developed and the anterodorsal section of the pronotum is gradually sloping, the area between the humeral angles being moderately convex. In addition, A. orientalis can be separated from A. prolixus by the shorter scapes (SI 65 – 82 vs. 89 – 96) and from A. turneri by the yellow head and legs which contrast with the yellow-red mesosoma (the body is essentially uniform in colour in A. turneri). This species is known from eastern Indonesia and New Guinea.	en	Shattuck, Steven O. (2008): Review of the ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Australia with notes on A. ceylonicus (Mayr). Zootaxa 1926: 1-19, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.184817
