Nylanderia steinheili

Classification

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Nylanderia steinheili: /nɪlænˈdɛriə staɪnˈhɛili/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Summary

Nylanderia is a significant genus within the Formicinae subfamily with a wide ecological role and high adaptability across diverse habitats. It consists of multiple species with diverse nesting and foraging behaviors, some of which are invasive and have significant ecological and economic impacts.

Physical Characteristics

Small to medium-sized (generally between 1 and 4 mm in total length) ranging in color from pale yellow to black. Workers are generally monomorphic but some species may exhibit variability in size. Workers are distinguished by the presence of six mandibular teeth and erect macrosetae on scapes and legs. Queens have six (or rarely seven) mandibular teeth, while males may have subtriangular parameres and reduced scape macrosetae.

Identification Tips

Nylanderia can be identified from other formicines by their six mandibular teeth, erect macrosetae on scapes and legs, and paired erect macrosetae on the pronotum and mesonotum. Workers possess a compact body shape with short mesosomal regions compared to long-bodied species such as Paratrechina longicornis.

Habitat

Nylanderia species inhabit a wide array of habitats including deserts and rainforests; they particularly thrive in warmer, forested environments. They often nest in ephemeral locations like leaf litter and rotting wood.

Distribution

Nylanderia has a nearly cosmopolitan distribution and is found in all geographic regions except for high-latitude areas but is notably absent from Europe. Species are commonly abundant in many locations, particularly in the tropics and subtropics, and some have been introduced outside their native ranges.

Diet

Nylanderia species are foraging generalists that can efficiently exploit resources and often recruit rapidly to food resources.

Life Cycle

Reproductives are typically produced during the summer months and overwinter in the nest, emerging in early spring. Many species do not have well-documented reproductive biology, especially tropical species.

Reproduction

Some species are known to exhibit polygyny (multiple queens), while others may be monogynous (single queen), such as N. flavipes, which has both conditions within its populations.

Ecosystem Role

Nylanderia species play significant ecological roles as foragers, seed dispersers, and part of the soil ecosystem. Some are considered invasive pests impacting local biodiversity.

Economic Impact

Several Nylanderia species are documented as pest species, including instances of infestations causing economic issues in their introduced ranges.

Health Concerns

None specified.

Collecting Methods

  • Pitfall traps
  • Leaf litter sampling
  • Baiting methods

Preservation Methods

  • Ethanol preservation
  • Pinned specimens
  • Formalin-based solutions

Evolution

Nylanderia was first described as a subgenus of Prenolepis, later raised to genus status, then synonymized under Paratrechina, and finally restored as a valid genus by molecular phylogenetic methods in 2010.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Some Nylanderia species have been confused with members of the related genus Paratrechina due to morphological similarity observed in worker morphology.

Tags

  • ants
  • Nylanderia
  • Formicinae
  • invasive species
  • ecological importance