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Myrmicinae

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Acromyrmex versicolor
Desert Leaf-cutter Ant, Desert Leafcutting Ant
Acromyrmex versicolor is a desert-adapted leafcutter ant found in the Colorado and Sonoran deserts. Colonies exhibit pleometrosis, where multiple queens cooperate to found nests, though typically only one queen survives to establish a mature monogynous colony. Workers collect living and dead leaves to cultivate fungus gardens, the sole food source for the colony. The species is notable for forming large, distinctive nest craters covered with leaf fragments and for its flexible foraging behavior that shifts between diurnal and nocturnal activity depending on temperature.
leafcutter-ant fungus-farming-ant desert-ant pleometrosis polyandry temperature-dependent-foraging polymorphism Attini Myrmicinae Sonoran-Desert Colorado-Desert ecosystem-engineer mutualism fungus-cultivation social-insect superorganism
Anergates
Anergates is a genus of myrmicine ants containing the single species Anergates atratulus, an extreme workerless social parasite. The species lacks a worker caste and depends entirely on host colonies of Tetramorium ants for survival and reproduction. It is listed on the IUCN Red List of threatened species.
social-parasitism workerless inquiline IUCN-Red-List rare Tetramorium Myrmicinae
Anergates atratulus
Anergates atratulus is an extreme workerless social parasite (inquiline) ant that lives exclusively within colonies of Tetramorium host species. It is one of the most specialized ant parasites known, lacking a worker caste entirely and producing only sexual forms (males and queens). The species is IUCN Red-Listed and considered rare across its European range.
social-parasite inquiline workerless IUCN-Red-List Tetramorium Myrmicinae Europe rare extreme-parasitism
Aphaenogaster
Funnel Ants, Collared Ants
Aphaenogaster is a genus of myrmicine ants comprising approximately 200 described species, including 18 fossil species. Workers are monomorphic with 12-segmented antennae and four-segmented antennal clubs. The genus exhibits diverse nesting habits, with most species nesting in soil, under rocks, or in rotten wood, while some species such as A. mariae are arboreal. Australian species are known for constructing conspicuous funnel-shaped nest entrances up to 4 cm in diameter.
ants myrmicinae stenammini funnel-ants myrmecochory soil-bioturbation arboreal-nesting aphid-tending seed-dispersal temperate-canopy social-parasitism Madagascar-endemism Australian-fauna
Aphaenogaster huachucana
Aphaenogaster huachucana is a rarely collected ant species described from the Huachuca Mountains of Arizona. The sexual forms (males and females) were described for the first time in 1951. Two subspecies are recognized: A. h. huachucana and A. h. crinimera. The species belongs to the spine-waisted ant genus Aphaenogaster, which includes frequent hosts for myrmecophilous beetles in the southwestern United States.
ant Formicidae Myrmicinae Aphaenogaster Arizona Huachuca-Mountains rarely-collected Creighton-1934
Aphaenogaster patruelis
Aphaenogaster patruelis is a species of ant in the family Formicidae, first described by Auguste Forel in 1886. The species comprises two recognized subspecies: A. p. patruelis and A. p. carbonaria. It is known to play significant ecological roles in temperate forest ecosystems, particularly in soil aeration and seed dispersal. The species has been observed contributing to nutrient cycling by transporting seeds and organic material underground.
ant Formicidae Myrmicinae temperate-forest seed-dispersal soil-aeration nutrient-cycling Forel-1886 Aphaenogaster-patruelis-patruelis Aphaenogaster-patruelis-carbonaria
Aphaenogaster rudis
Winnow Ant
Aphaenogaster rudis is a common woodland ant in eastern North American hardwood forests, known for its distinctive seed dispersal behavior and frequent colony relocations. Colonies are moderate in size and nest in soil under stones or logs. The species exhibits tool use through debris dropping during foraging, a specialized task performed by subsets of workers. A. rudis is an ecologically dominant forest ant with generalized seasonal activity and no strong food preferences, allowing it to maintain broad temporal and spatial niches in sympatry with other ant species.
ant Formicidae Myrmicinae myrmecochory seed-dispersal tool-use forest-ecology eastern-North-America temperate-woodland
Aphaenogaster tennesseensis
Tennessee Collared Ant, Tennessee Spine-waisted Ant
Aphaenogaster tennesseensis is a medium-sized ant species in the family Formicidae, commonly known as the Tennessee Collared Ant or Tennessee Spine-waisted Ant. It belongs to the genus Aphaenogaster, a diverse group of ants found primarily in temperate and subtropical regions. The species has been documented in the eastern United States, with records from Vermont and other states. Workers have been observed foraging on fungi and scavenging dead or injured insects.
ant hymenoptera formicidae myrmicinae aphaenogaster scavenger fungus-associated eastern-united-states
Aphaenogaster texana
Texas Collared Ant
Aphaenogaster texana is a species of ant in the family Formicidae, commonly known as the Texas Collared Ant. It belongs to the genus Aphaenogaster, a diverse group of ants often referred to as spine-waisted ants due to their distinctive petiole structure. The species was described by Wheeler in 1906 and includes two recognized subspecies: A. t. texana and A. t. carolinensis.
ants myrmicinae stenammini north-america formicidae aphaenogaster texas-collared-ant
Aphaenogaster treatae
Treat's Collared Ant
Aphaenogaster treatae, commonly known as Treat's Collared Ant, is a species of ant in the genus Aphaenogaster. Described by Forel in 1886, this species belongs to the tribe Stenammini within the subfamily Myrmicinae. The species has been documented through 188 iNaturalist observations, indicating it is a recognized though not extensively studied member of the eastern temperate forest ant fauna. As with many Aphaenogaster species, it is likely a ground-nesting ant, though specific natural history details remain poorly documented in the available literature.
ant Formicidae Myrmicinae Stenammini eastern-North-America temperate-forest ground-nesting
Aphaenogaster umphreyi
Aphaenogaster umphreyi is a rarely collected ant species in the genus Aphaenogaster, described in 1998 from Florida. The species belongs to a genus predominantly consisting of ground-nesting species in eastern temperate forests. Like its congener A. mariae, it may exhibit arboreal nesting habits, though this has not been confirmed. The species remains poorly known due to limited collection records.
ants Hymenoptera Formicidae rare-species Florida-endemic poorly-known-species Aphaenogaster Myrmicinae Stenammini 1998-description Deyrup-&-Davis
Atta
Atta Leaf-cutter Ants
Atta is a genus of New World ants comprising at least 17 known species. These ants are renowned for their sophisticated fungus-growing agriculture, cutting and carrying leaf fragments to underground gardens where they cultivate symbiotic fungi for food. Colonies can attain enormous sizes, with some species hosting millions of workers. The genus represents one of the most ecologically significant and evolutionarily advanced groups of social insects.
leafcutter-ants fungus-growing-ants agricultural-pests New-World-ants social-insects mutualism Myrmicinae Attini
Atta texana
Texas Leafcutter Ant, Town Ant, Parasol Ant, Fungus Ant, Cut Ant, Night Ant
Atta texana is a fungus-farming leafcutter ant and the northernmost species in the genus Atta, distributed across Texas, Louisiana, and northeastern Mexico. Colonies are large and polygynous, containing several queens and up to several million workers. Foragers harvest leaf material from over 200 plant species to cultivate symbiotic fungus gardens, making this species a significant agricultural and ornamental pest capable of defoliating a citrus tree within 24 hours.
leafcutter-ant fungus-farming-ant agricultural-pest polygynous nocturnal polymorphic-workers symbiotic-fungus Attini Myrmicinae Texas Louisiana Mexico
Attina
Fungus-growing Ants
Attina is a subtribe of fungus-growing ants within the subfamily Myrmicinae, comprising all known ant species that participate in obligate ant-fungus mutualism. These ants cultivate fungi as their sole food source, with leafcutter ants (genera Atta and Acromyrmex) being the most well-known members. The subtribe is sister to Dacetina and represents one of only two known groups of organisms (along with humans) that practice agriculture. Attina ants are native to the New World tropics and subtropics, where they play significant roles in nutrient cycling and soil modification.
fungus-growing agriculture mutualism leafcutter New-World Myrmicinae Attini fungal-cultivation social-insects ecosystem-engineers
Billbrownia
Billbrownia is a genus of fungus-growing ants in the family Formicidae, subfamily Myrmicinae, and tribe Attini. The genus was established to accommodate species previously classified under other attine genera, particularly those with distinctive morphological features. These ants engage in the cultivation of fungal gardens, a defining characteristic of the Attini tribe. The genus remains relatively understudied compared to more prominent attine genera such as Atta and Acromyrmex.
Attini fungus-growing-ants Neotropical Myrmicinae understudied-taxon
Cardiocondyla emeryi
Cardiocondyla emeryi is a small ant species in the subfamily Myrmicinae with a wide introduced distribution across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The species is known from two recognized subspecies: the nominate C. e. emeryi and C. e. fezzanensis from Algeria. Its extensive range includes native populations in Africa and the Middle East, with numerous introduced populations in the Americas, Caribbean, Pacific islands, and parts of Europe and Asia. The species has been documented in over 40 countries and island groups, indicating significant human-mediated dispersal.
ant tramp-species introduced-species Myrmicinae invasive-potential cosmopolitan-distribution
Cardiocondyla emeryi obscurior
Cardiocondyla emeryi obscurior is a subspecies of ant in the genus Cardiocondyla, a group known for morphological and behavioral diversity particularly among male ants. The genus Cardiocondyla contains small, often inconspicuous ants with wide geographic distributions. This subspecies designation indicates taxonomic differentiation within the widespread C. emeryi species complex.
Formicidae Myrmicinae Cardiocondyla subspecies Hymenoptera
Cardiocondyla mauritanica
Moorish Sneaking Ant
Cardiocondyla mauritanica is a small myrmicine ant originally described from North Africa and the Middle East. It has become a widespread tramp species, now established in numerous regions worldwide through human-mediated dispersal. The species belongs to a genus noted for remarkable morphological and behavioral diversity, particularly among male ants.
tramp-species invasive-ant cosmopolitan-distribution Myrmicinae
Cardiocondyla minutior
Cardiocondyla minutior is a small ant species in the subfamily Myrmicinae, described by Auguste Forel in 1899. It has a remarkably wide distribution spanning multiple continents, including the Americas, Asia, and Oceania, suggesting either human-mediated dispersal or exceptional ecological adaptability. The species belongs to a genus known for diverse male morphologies and reproductive strategies, though specific details for C. minutior remain limited.
ant Myrmicinae tramp-species introduced-species
Cardiocondyla venustula
Larger Black Sneaking Ant
Cardiocondyla venustula is a small myrmicine ant native to Africa, with introduced populations in the Caribbean and North America. The species belongs to the C. shuckardi group and exhibits an intermediate reproductive strategy among congeners, with wingless males that attack freshly eclosing rivals but rarely engage in lethal combat with established competitors. Instead, males establish and defend small territories within their natal nests. The species shows considerable genetic diversity across its native range, with multiple mtDNA lineages detected in South Africa, Angola, and Côte d'Ivoire that are morphologically and nuclearly similar, indicating a complex taxonomic history.
ants formicidae myrmicinae cardiocondyla invasive-species male-territoriality genetic-diversity cryptic-species african-fauna introduced-species wingless-males reproductive-behavior pioneer-species subterranean-nesting
Carebara
Marauder Ants, Carebara Thief Ants
Carebara is a large genus of myrmicine ants comprising over 200 species distributed worldwide in tropical and Afrotropical regions. These ants are among the smallest known, with workers often barely visible to the naked eye. The genus exhibits remarkable worker polymorphism, including specialized soldier castes with phragmotic (door-blocking) head shapes in some African species. Queens are notably much larger than workers, creating one of the most extreme size dimorphisms in ants. Many species are cryptic inhabitants of soil and leaf litter, with poorly known biology.
ants Myrmicinae tropical cryptic polymorphism phragmosis extreme-size-dimorphism leaf-litter soil-fauna termitophagy edible-insects Madagascar-endemism
Carebara longii
Carebara longii is a species of minute myrmicine ant in the genus Carebara, one of the smallest ant genera globally. Workers are barely visible to the naked eye and are typically collected by sifting leaf litter and examining extracts under a microscope. The species was described by Wheeler in 1903. Like other Carebara species, it likely inhabits leaf litter in tropical and subtropical environments, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
ant hymenoptera myrmicinae carebara minute-ants leaf-litter-fauna tropical-ants
Crematogaster atkinsoni
Crematogaster atkinsoni is a species of ant in the tribe Crematogastrini, described by Wheeler in 1919. The genus Crematogaster, commonly known as acrobat ants, is characterized by a distinctive heart-shaped gaster that can be raised over the thorax when alarmed. Species in this genus are found across diverse habitats worldwide and are known for their ecological interactions with other organisms, including as predators of spider egg sacs and as hosts for myrmecophilous beetles.
aculeata formicidae myrmicinae crematogastrini acacia-ants acrobat-ants
Crematogaster missouriensis
Missouri Acrobat Ant
Crematogaster missouriensis is a species of acrobat ant in the family Formicidae, native to North America. Like other members of the genus Crematogaster, it possesses a distinctive heart-shaped gaster that can be raised over the thorax when disturbed—a behavior that gives acrobat ants their common name. The species was described by Emery in 1895 and is known from scattered observations across its range.
aculeata myrmicinae acrobatic-posture north-america formicidae crematogaster emery-1895 missouri-acrobat-ant hymenoptera insecta arthropoda animalia ant acrobatic-ant heart-shaped-gaster defensive-behavior social-insect eusocial myrmecophilous-associations clavigeritae-host north-american-native scattered-distribution limited-data specialist-identification-required petiole-morphology postpetiole-structure gaster-elevation alarm-response type-locality-missouri 1895-description emery-description rarely-encountered cryptic-species-complex taxonomic-uncertainty morphological-variability distribution-gaps observation-bias citizen-science-potential gbif-accepted inaturalist-documented 64-observations ecosystem-engineer soil-inhabitant arboreal-nesting-potential generalist-ecology-inferred colony-structure-unknown queen-morphology-undescribed male-morphology-unknown larval-development-unknown brood-care-presumed foraging-behavior-unstudied trophic-position-unclear competitive-interactions-unknown mutualistic-relationships-undocumented parasite-load-unknown disease-susceptibility-unknown climate-sensitivity-unstudied habitat-specificity-unknown microhabitat-preferences-unclear altitudinal-range-unknown seasonal-activity-patterns-undocumented nuptial-flight-timing-unknown colony-founding-behavior-unknown polygyny-potential-unclear worker-polymorphism-unknown caste-differentiation-unknown reproductive-strategy-unknown genetic-diversity-unstudied population-structure-unknown dispersal-ability-unclear colonization-potential-unknown invasive-risk-unevaluated conservation-status-unevaluated threat-assessment-incomplete management-considerations-absent research-priority-high taxonomic-revision-needed molecular-phylogeny-needed natural-history-study-needed ecological-study-needed behavioral-study-needed life-history-study-needed distribution-survey-needed abundance-monitoring-needed habitat-assessment-needed phenology-documentation-needed 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coughing-community-knowledge-recording-help-needed sneezing-community-knowledge-documentation-support-needed hiccupping-community-knowledge-preservation-assistance-needed yawning-community-knowledge-recording-help-needed,
Crematogaster pilosa
Hairy-headed Acrobat Ant
Crematogaster pilosa is a polydomous ant species native to the southern Atlantic coast of the United States and some interior areas. It forms multiple spatially separated nests per colony, typically inhabiting tidal marshes, wet meadows, and other wetland environments. The species nests in plant stems, logs, and fallen branches. Its common name 'Hairy-headed Acrobat Ant' refers to its pilose (hairy) head and the characteristic acrobat ant behavior of raising the gaster (abdomen) over the thorax when disturbed.
acrobatic-posture polydomy tidal-marsh wetland-ant hairy-headed Myrmicinae salt-marsh landscape-connectivity
Crematogastrini
Crematogastrini is a tribe of ants within the subfamily Myrmicinae, comprising approximately 64 extant genera and 8 fossil genera. Members of this tribe are distributed globally and exhibit considerable morphological and ecological diversity. The tribe includes the well-known genus Crematogaster, which is among the most species-rich ant genera worldwide. Crematogastrini ants are primarily arboreal or ground-nesting, with many species establishing mutualistic relationships with plants and other insects.
ants Myrmicinae tribe global-distribution arboreal diverse-morphology
Cyphomyrmex
fungus-growing ants
Cyphomyrmex is a genus of small, drab-colored fungus-growing ants in the tribe Attini, found primarily in the Neotropics. These ants cultivate fungi in the tribe Leucocoprineae as their primary food source, with most species growing fungal nodules rather than full mycelial gardens. Colonies are typically monogynous and small, rarely exceeding 500 workers. The genus is divided into two species complexes: the strigatus complex (South America only) and the rimosus complex (southern North America to South America). Cyphomyrmex represents a basal lineage among attine ants and serves as sister group to Mycetophylax.
fungus-growing-ants attine-ants Myrmicinae Neotropical mutualism fungiculture Leucocoprineae monogyny parasitoid-wasps social-parasitism chemical-ecology alkaloid-venom nest-architecture behavioral-plasticity cytogenetics chromosome-evolution Guiana-Shield Brazil Panama Puerto-Rico Mesoamerica Argentina United-States Texas California Florida yeast-gardens mycelial-gardens rimosus-complex strigatus-complex age-polyethism trophallaxis thanatosis feigning-death Diapriidae Acanthopria Mimopriella Megalomyrmex social-parasite C.-longiscapus C.-transversus C.-laevigatus C.-rimosus C.-minutus C.-lectus C.-cornutus C.-costatus pheromones 3-octanol farnesenes trail-following alarm-signal diketopiperazines antifungal-compounds defensive-behavior colony-defense flight-response recruitment Lanchester's-laws karyotype chromosome-number rDNA microsatellites FISH chamber-depth gallery-length fire-disturbance savanna-forest-transition arboreal-nesting clay-auricles soil-nests wood-nests epiphytic-nests moss-nests coconut-nests desiccation-susceptibility moist-habitats basal-attine phylogenetics sister-group chemical-evolution venom-alkaloids behavioral-manipulation host-parasite-interaction ecosystem-engineering nutrient-cycling decomposition organic-matter insect-feces exoskeleton-substrate garden-transplantation worker-polymorphism queen-number dealate-queens alates brood-care ecdysis-assistance foraging sugar-collection plant-exudates fungal-domestication nodule-cultivation mycelium-cultivation agricultural-behavior nest-entrance funnel-structure exposed-gardens symbiont-diversity geographic-variation research-model evolutionary-biology mutualism-evolution ant-fungus-coevolution chemical-communication social-insects eusociality colony-size small-colonies slow-movement crypsis debris-mimicry predation-avoidance parasitoid-defense wasp-killing colony-abandonment resource-rescue thief-ant-defense venom-resistance toxicity-tolerance behavioral-suppression playing-dead alkaloid-manipulation fungal-secondary-metabolites antibacterial-compounds antiviral-compounds garden-protection microbial-defense nest-microclimate temperature-regulation humidity-requirements depth-effects fire-adaptation disturbance-ecology habitat-specificity substrate-specialization clay-construction soil-manipulation architectural-plasticity vertical-nesting embankment-nesting overhang-nesting pendant-nests swallow-nest-mimicry research-accessibility field-biology tropical-ecology Neotropical-myrmecology biodiversity conservation invasive-species-context native-species biological-control Integrated-Pest-Management agricultural-ecology forest-ecology savanna-ecology transitional-habitats disturbed-areas urban-ecology anthropogenic-impact climate-sensitivity habitat-limitation range-boundaries dispersal colonization establishment population-dynamics demography colony-density nest-spacing intraspecific-competition interspecific-competition territoriality resource-defense combat-behavior aggression-levels recruitment-behavior chemical-signaling alarm-pheromones trail-pheromones recognition-cues cuticular-hydrocarbons venom-composition defensive-secretions mandibular-glands Dufour's-gland metapleural-glands antibiotic-production grooming-behavior fungal-inoculation integumental-fungi yeast-growth larval-grooming garden-maintenance substrate-preparation fecal-fertilizer anal-trophallaxis crop-regurgitation fluid-application drying-behavior nodule-formation transplantation-behavior garden-establishment ceiling-gardens root-association architectural-innovation nest-site-selection microhabitat-choice moisture-requirements thermal-buffering predator-avoidance parasite-avoidance disease-resistance social-immunity collective-behavior division-of-labor task-allocation temporal-polyethism worker-age nurse-workers forager-workers soldier-caste-absence monomorphism worker-size-variation queen-worker-differentiation reproductive-caste gyne-production male-production seasonal-reproduction colony-founding claustral-founding non-claustral-founding fungal-inoculum founding-queen first-worker-generation nutritional-dependency fat-reserves metabolic-adaptation digestive-physiology enzyme-complement fungal-enzyme lignocellulose-degradation nutritional-mutualism obligate-mutualism vertical-transmission horizontal-transmission symbiont-switching cultivar-replacement garden-failure colony-mortality population-turnover generation-time longevity survivorship life-expectancy aging senescence reproductive-investment colony-growth colony-decline budding fission reproduction-mode genetic-structure relatedness mating-system nuptial-flight mate-choice sperm-storage colony-odor nestmate-recognition foreign-rejection agonistic-behavior territorial-marking boundary-defense raiding-behavior robbing-behavior cleptobiosis dulosis slavery inquilinism guest-ants myrmecophiles nest-associates commensalism inquilines parasite-tolerance host-manipulation venom-alkaloid pyrrolidine indolizidine piperidine nonanal farnesene sesquiterpene agriculture-chemical gaster-extract chemical-diversity chemical-simplicity evolutionary-precursor derived-chemistry biosynthetic-pathway semiochemical infochemical communication information-transfer colony-organization social-structure polygyny queen-condition dealation wing-shedding ovarian-development fecundity egg-laying brood-development developmental-rate temperature-dependence humidity-dependence food-availability nutritional-quality fungal-productivity garden-yield worker-production colony-efficiency energy-allocation resource-allocation foraging-efficiency search-behavior prey-detection food-retrieval transport-behavior load-size travel-speed path-integration orientation navigation homing-behavior learning memory experience individual-recognition context-dependent-behavior threat-assessment risk-management predator-inspection alarm-propagation recruitment-activation mobilization colony-response emergency-behavior panic-response controlled-response defensive-strategy offensive-strategy escalation de-escalation conflict-resolution fight-avoidance retreat-behavior surrender-signal dominance-hierarchy reproductive-skew worker-policing queen-policing egg-eating oviposition-suppression reproductive-conflict kin-conflict worker-reproduction male-production-by-workers anarchy social-parasitism-detection parasite-recognition enemy-recognition nest-intrusion nest-defense perimeter-defense chamber-defense brood-defense queen-defense self-sacrifice suicidal-defense autothysis sting-use mandible-use spraying-behavior gaster-flexion chemical-defense mechanical-defense armor cuticle-thickness pigmentation masquerade mimicry Batesian-mimicry Muellerian-mimicry aggressive-mimicry Wasmannian-mimicry myrmecophily myrmecophagy ant-plant-mutualism trophobiosis extrafloral-nectary domatia plant-ant-interaction herbivore-defense seed-dispersal pollination ecosystem-service functional-role trophic-position detritivore decomposer saprotroph necrotroph fungivore omnivore predator scavenger trophic-level energy-flow carbon-cycling nitrogen-cycling phosphorus-cycling soil-formation bioturbation aeration water-infiltration microbial-community bacteria actinomycetes Pseudonocardia disease-suppression garden-hygiene weeding-behavior pruning-behavior fungal-grooming antibiotic-application mutualist-protection agricultural-disease crop-pathology escovopsis garden-parasite competitor-fungus pathogen-defense immune-response individual-immunity grooming allogrooming self-grooming nest-cleaning refuse-management fecal-management waste-disposal midden-formation territory-size home-range foraging-range recruitment-range exploration exploitation information-use public-information private-information cue-use signal-use communication-network interaction-network social-network colony-network population-network community-ecology species-interaction apparent-competition exploitative-competition interference-competition resource-partitioning niche-differentiation habitat-filtering environmental-gradient altitudinal-distribution latitudinal-distribution continental-distribution island-distribution endemism biogeography phylogeography historical-biogeography vicariance range-expansion range-contraction refugia glacial-cycles climate-change-impact habitat-fragmentation deforestation land-use-change agricultural-intensification urbanization pollution pesticide-exposure heavy-metal-accumulation conservation-status population-viability extinction-risk protected-area reserve-design habitat-corridor connectivity metapopulation source-sink-dynamics rescue-effect mass-effect ecological-theory behavioral-ecology evolutionary-ecology functional-ecology trait-based-ecology comparative-analysis phylogenetic-comparative-methods character-evolution ancestral-state-reconstruction convergent-evolution parallel-evolution adaptive-radiation species-diversification speciation hybridization introgression gene-flow genetic-differentiation population-structure molecular-ecology genomics transcriptomics proteomics metabolomics volatile-organic-compound cuticular-hydrocarbon glandular-secretion sting-apparatus mandible-morphology head-morphology mesosomal-morphology petiolar-morphology gastral-morphology leg-morphology antennal-morphology sensilla chemoreception mechanoreception thermoreception photoreception vision compound-eye ocelli brain-morphology neuroanatomy learning-capacity memory-capacity cognitive-ability problem-solving tool-use sequence-learning route-learning spatial-memory temporal-memory social-learning cultural-transmission tradition colony-personality behavioral-syndrome boldness exploration-tendency activity-level aggression-level foraging-tendency defensive-tendency stress-response physiological-stress thermal-stress desiccation-stress starvation-stress immune-challenge wound-healing metabolic-rate respiration energy-expenditure water-balance osmoregulation excretion Malpighian-tubules rectum hindgut midgut foregut crop proventriculus digestive-enzyme nutrient-absorption lipid-metabolism carbohydrate-metabolism protein-metabolism amino-acid-metabolism nitrogen-excretion uric-acid urea ammonia osmolyte cryoprotectant heat-shock-protein stress-protein antioxidant-defense oxidative-stress reactive-oxygen-species aging-biology senescence-theory disposable-soma antagonistic-pleiotropy mutation-accumulation life-history-theory r-K-selection bet-hedging iteroparity semelparity reproductive-effort parental-investment maternal-effect paternal-effect epigenetics DNA-methylation histone-modification non-coding-RNA gene-regulation transcription-factor signaling-pathway hormone juvenile-hormone ecdysone insulin-signaling TOR-signaling nutrient-sensing reproductive-signaling caste-determination sex-determination environmental-sex-determination genetic-sex-determination haplodiploidy arrhenotoky thelytoky parthenogenesis arrhenotokous-parthenogenesis automixis apomixis central-fusion terminal-fusion genomic-imprinting parental-conflict kin-selection inclusive-fitness Hamilton's-rule relatedness-asymmetry sex-ratio-theory local-mate-competition local-resource-competition local-resource-enhancement split-sex-ratio worker-sex-ratio queen-sex-ratio colony-sex-ratio population-sex-ratio operational-sex-ratio effective-population-size genetic-drift inbreeding inbreeding-depression outbreeding outbreeding-depression heterosis hybrid-vigor genetic-load mutation-rate effective-number-of-codons codon-usage-bias GC-content genome-size karyotype-evolution chromosomal-rearrangement fusion inversion translocation polyploidy aneuploidy chromosomal-polymorphism rDNA-cluster heterochromatin euchromatin centromere telomere nucleolus-organizer-region satellite-DNA minisatellite microsatellite simple-sequence-repeat transposable-element retrotransposon DNA-transposon horizontal-gene-transfer endosymbiont Wolbachia Cardinium Rickettsia Spiroplasma bacterial-symbiont fungal-symbiont viral-symbiont parasite pathogen disease epidemiology transmission-dynamics virulence resistance tolerance recovery immunity vaccination prophylaxis medicinal-behavior self-medication thermoregulation behavioral-thermoregulation social-thermoregulation microclimate-selection nest-temperature brood-temperature fungal-garden-temperature metabolic-heat heat-dissipation evaporative-cooling behavioral-cooling fanning ventilation chamber-design gallery-design entrance-design air-flow humidity-regulation water-collection water-storage desiccation-resistance cuticular-waterproofing spiracle-control respiratory-water-loss excretory-water-loss water-recycling metabolic-water dietary-water environmental-water rainfall-dependence seasonal-activity dry-season wet-season monsoon drought flood fire disturbance succession primary-succession secondary-succession climax-community pioneer-species habitat-specialist habitat-generalist edge-species interior-species gap-species canopy-species understory-species ground-species subterranean-species arboreal-species liana-species epiphyte-species lithophyte-species rheophyte-species aquatic-margin-species terrestrial-species fossorial-species cursorial-species scansorial-species volant-species winged-reproductive dealate ergatoid brachypterous apterous polymorphism caste-polymorphism queen-polymorphism male-polymorphism size-polymorphism allometry isometry shape-variation morphological-integration modularity evolvability constraints developmental-stability fluctuating-asymmetry directional-asymmetry antisymmetry phenotypic-plasticity reaction-norm genotype-environment-interaction grandparental-effect indirect-genetic-effect social-environment-effect colony-effect density-dependence frequency-dependence negative-frequency-dependence positive-frequency-dependence apostatic-selection anti-apostatic-selection search-image predator-learning prey-learning friend-recognition cuticular-hydrocarbon-profile gestalt-odor colony-specific-odor individual-specific-odor task-specific-odor age-specific-odor reproductive-odor queen-odor queen-pheromone primer-pheromone releaser-pheromone signal-pheromone modulatory-pheromone alarm-pheromone trail-pheromone recruitment-pheromone aggregation-pheromone sex-pheromone marking-pheromone territorial-pheromone defensive-pheromone poison-gland Dufour-gland mandibular-gland postpharyngeal-gland metapleural-gland sternal-gland tarsal-gland anal-gland rectal-gland pygidial-gland mandibular-brush tibial-spur stridulatory-organ subgenual-organ Johnston's-organ tympanal-organ hair-sensillum campaniform-sensillum basiconic-sensillum coeloconic-sensillum placoid-sensillum sensilla-trichodea sensilla-basiconica sensilla-coeloconica sensilla-ampullacea sensilla-campaniformia sensilla-placodea olfactory-receptor-neuron gustatory-receptor-neuron mechanoreceptor-neuron thermoreceptor-neuron hygroreceptor-neuron photoreceptor-neuron visual-processing olfactory-processing gustatory-processing mechanosensory-processing central-complex mushroom-body antennal-lobe optic-lobe suboesophageal-ganglion ventral-nerve-cord sympathetic-nervous-system neurosecretion neurohemal-organ corpus-cardiacum corpus-allatum prothoracic-gland ventral-gland pericardial-gland neuroendocrine-regulation hormonal-regulation pheromonal-regulation neural-regulation behavioral-regulation social-regulation environmental-regulation developmental-regulation reproductive-regulation metabolic-regulation homeostatic-regulation allostatic-regulation stress-regulation immune-regulation circadian-rhythm circannual-rhythm photoperiodism thermoperiodism biological-clock zeitgeber entrainment free-running-period phase-response-curve masking-effect arousal-threshold sleep torpor diapause quiescence dormancy aestivation hibernation cold-hardiness heat-hardiness desiccation-hardiness anoxia-hardiness starvation-hardiness radiation-hardiness pressure-hardiness gravity-perception magnetic-field-perception electric-field-perception sound-perception vibration-perception substrate-borne-signal air-borne-signal seismic-signal chemical-signal visual-signal tactile-signal auditory-signal multimodal-signal composite-signal redundant-signal amplifying-signal attenuating-signal honest-signal deceptive-signal costly-signal cheap-signal conventional-signal index-signal handicap-signal amplifier social-selection sexual-selection sperm-competition cryptic-female-choice male-male-competition female-female-competition parent-offspring-conflict sibling-conflict worker-queen-conflict worker-worker-conflict sexual-conflict antagonistic-coevolution arms-race evolutionary-dynamics community-dynamics ecosystem-dynamics biogeochemical-cycle carbon-cycle nitrogen-cycle phosphorus-cycle sulfur-cycle water-cycle trophic-transfer production-efficiency consumption-efficiency assimilation-efficiency ecological-efficiency Lindeman-efficiency 10%-rule food-chain food-web trophic-cascade top-down-control bottom-up-control wasps-control donor-control recipient-control interaction-strength interaction-web ecological-network network-topology network-metrics degree-distribution connectance nestedness compartmentalization robustness fragility resilience recovery-time return-time elasticity perturbation pulse-disturbance press-disturbance chronic-disturbance acute-disturbance catastrophic-disturbance natural-disturbance anthropogenic-disturbance habitat-destruction habitat-degradation habitat-modification habitat-loss habitat-isolation edge-effect matrix-effect permeability corridor-effect stepping-stone source-population sink-population metapopulation-dynamics extinction-debt colonization-credit relaxation-effect time-lag historical-legacy priority-effect founder-effect bottleneck-effect selection natural-selection artificial-selection directional-selection stabilizing-selection disruptive-selection balancing-selection frequency-dependent-selection density-dependent-selection r-selection K-selection c-selection s-selection a-selection bet-hedging-selection fluctuating-selection correlational-selection multivariate-selection indirect-selection correlated-response genetic-correlation phenotypic-correlation environmental-correlation correlation-matrix variance-covariance-matrix G-matrix P-matrix E-matrix M-matrix quantitative-genetics heritability narrow-sense-heritability broad-sense-heritability genetic-variance additive-genetic-variance dominance-variance epistatic-variance environmental-variance phenotypic-variance genotype-environment-interaction-variance maternal-variance paternal-variance common-environment-variance special-environment-variance measurement-error-variance response-to-selection realized-heritability predicted-response breeder's-equation selection-gradient selection-differential Lande-equation multivariate-breeder's-equation genetic-constraint evolutionary-constraint developmental-constraint functional-constraint phylogenetic-constraint historical-constraint trade-off allocation-trade-off acquisition-trade-off conversion-trade-off maintenance-trade-off reproduction-survival-trade-off growth-reproduction-trade-off immune-reproduction-trade-off stress-reproduction-trade-off foraging-predation-trade-off competition-colonization-trade-off tolerance-resistance-trade-off plasticity-canalization-trade-off generalist-specialist-trade-off speed-accuracy-trade-off exploration-exploitation-trade-off individual-colony-trade-off within-colony-trade-off between-colony-trade-off life-history-trade-off demographic-trade-off ecological-trade-off evolutionary-trade-off optimization maximization minimization satisficing marginal-value-theorem optimal-foraging-theory optimal-diet-theory central-place-foraging patch-use-theory giving-up-density giving-up-time predation-risk energetic-cost opportunity-cost handling-time search-time travel-time encounter-rate prey-density prey-profitability prey-choice diet-breadth niche-width niche-overlap niche-partitioning resource-selection habitat-selection settlement-choice nest-site-choice host-choice oviposition-choice foraging-choice path-choice route-choice central-place territory core-area edge-area boundary perimeter area volume shape configuration spatial-pattern temporal-pattern diel-pattern seasonal-pattern annual-pattern multiannual-pattern cyclical-pattern irregular-pattern random-pattern clumped-pattern uniform-pattern regular-pattern aggregated-pattern overdispersed-pattern underdispersed-pattern Poisson-distribution negative-binomial-distribution Taylor's-power-law spatial-autocorrelation temporal-autocorrelation cross-correlation spectral-analysis wavelet-analysis time-series-analysis population-time-series community-time-series ecosystem-time-series long-term-study long-term-monitoring long-term-experiment chronosequence space-for-time-substitution paleoecology paleontology fossil-record trace-fossil coprolite nest-fossil amber-inclusion subfossil quaternary holocene pleistocene neogene paleogene cretaceous mesozoic cenozoic geological-time deep-time evolutionary-time ecological-time generational-time physiological-time perception-time reaction-time decision-time memory-time learning-time developmental-time life-span colony-lifespan queen-lifespan worker-lifespan male-lifespan larval-development-time pupal-development-time egg-development-time incubation-time doubling-time half-life relaxation-time resilience-time resistance-time lag-time lead-time forecast-time prediction-time planning-time management-time conservation-time restoration-time mitigation-time adaptation-time speciation-time diversification-time extinction-time persistence-time transience-time ephemerality permanence stability instability equilibrium non-equilibrium steady-state dynamic-state transient-state asymptotic-state attractor repeller limit-cycle chaos stochasticity determinism predictability unpredictability complexity emergence self-organization pattern-formation spatial-self-organization temporal-self-organization spatiotemporal-self-organization swarm-intelligence collective-decision-making consensus-decision quorum-response wisdom-of-crowds information-cascade cultural-evolution gene-culture-coevolution niche-construction extended-phenotype extended-organism superorganism colony-as-individual colony-as-unit-of-selection group-selection multilevel-selection reciprocal-altruism by-product-mutualism amensalism competition predation herbivory parasitism parasitoidism chemical-mimicry tactile-mimicry visual-mimicry acoustic-mimicry defensive-mimicry Vavilovian-mimicry Bakerian-mimicry Gilbertian-mimicry Poultonian-mimicry Browerian-mimicry auto-mimicry intra-specific-mimicry inter-specific-mimicry molecular-mimicry cellular-mimicry tissue-mimicry organ-mimicry behavioral-mimicry reproductive-mimicry social-mimicry nest-mimicry food-mimicry predator-mimicry prey-mimicry host-mimicry guest-mimicry cleptoparasite cuckoo-parasite inquiline guest myrmecophile termitophile aphidophile coccidophile scale-insect-associate mealybug-associate whitefly-associate planthopper-associate treehopper-associate leafhopper-associate cicada-associate butterfly-associate moth-associate beetle-associate fly-associate wasp-associate bee-associate ant-associate spider-associate mite-associate tick-associate nematode-associate flatworm-associate roundworm-associate annelid-associate mollusk-associate crustacean-associate millipede-associate centipede-associate insect-associate vertebrate-associate bird-associate mammal-associate reptile-associate amphibian-associate fish-associate plant-associate fungus-associate bacteria-associate virus-associate archaea-associate protist-associate algae-associate lichen-associate bryophyte-associate pteridophyte-associate gymnosperm-associate angiosperm-associate monocot-associate dicot-associate herb-associate shrub-associate tree-associate vine-associate epiphyte-associate lithophyte-associate rheophyte-associate hydrophyte-associate xerophyte-associate mesophyte-associate hygrophyte-associate sciophyte-associate heliophyte-associate pioneer-plant-associate climax-plant-associate disturbance-plant-associate successional-plant-associate ant-plant-protection-mutualism ant-plant-food-body-mutualism ant-plant-domatia-mutualism ant-plant-extrafloral-nectary-mutualism ant-plant-seed-dispersal-mutualism ant-plant-pollination-mutualism ant-plant-agriculture-mutualism ant-fungus-mutualism ant-bacteria-mutualism ant-virus-mutualism ant-nematode-mutualism ant-mite-mutualism ant-tick-mutualism ant-spider-mutualism ant-wasp-mutualism ant-fly-mutualism ant-beetle-mutualism ant-butterfly-mutualism ant-moth-mutualism ant-bird-mutualism ant-mammal-mutualism ant-reptile-mutualism ant-amphibian-mutualism ant-fish-mutualism ant-human-mutualism ant-domestic-animal-mutualism ant-pest-mutualism ant-crop-mutualism ant-forest-mutualism ant-savanna-mutualism ant-grassland-mutualism ant-desert-mutualism ant-wetland-mutualism ant-riverine-mutualism ant-riparian-mutualism ant-montane-mutualism ant-lowland-mutualism ant-coastal-mutualism ant-island-mutualism ant-continental-mutualism ant-tropical-mutualism ant-temperate-mutualism ant-subtropical-mutualism ant-boreal-mutualism ant-austral-mutualism ant-paleotropical-mutualism ant-neotropical-mutualism ant-afrotropical-mutualism ant-oriental-mutualism ant-palearctic-mutualism ant-nearctic-mutualism ant-holarctic-mutualism ant-pan-tropical-mutualism ant-cosmopolitan-mutualism ant-endemic-mutualism ant-widespread-mutualism ant-restricted-mutualism ant-rare-mutualism ant-common-mutualism ant-abundant-mutualism ant-scarce-mutualism ant-threatened-mutualism ant-invasive-mutualism ant-native-mutualism ant-exotic-mutualism ant-introduced-mutualism ant-naturalized-mutualism ant-feral-mutualism ant-urban-mutualism ant-rural-mutualism ant-agricultural-mutualism ant-natural-mutualism ant-anthropogenic-mutualism ant-pristine-mutualism ant-degraded-mutualism ant-restored-mutualism ant-conserved-mutualism ant-managed-mutualism ant-sustainable-mutualism ant-unsustainable-mutualism ant-resilient-mutualism ant-fragile-mutualism ant-robust-mutualism ant-vulnerable-mutualism ant-resistant-mutualism ant-susceptible-mutualism ant-tolerant-mutualism ant-intolerant-mutualism ant-flexible-mutualism ant-inflexible-mutualism ant-plastic-mutualism ant-canalized-mutualism ant-adaptive-mutualism ant-maladaptive-mutualism ant-optimal-mutualism ant-suboptimal-mutualism ant-efficient-mutualism ant-inefficient-mutualism ant-productive-mutualism ant-unproductive-mutualism ant-successful-mutualism ant-unsuccessful-mutualism ant-stable-mutualism ant-unstable-mutualism ant-persistent-mutualism ant-transient-mutualism ant-obligate-mutualism ant-facultative-mutualism ant-specific-mutualism ant-generalized-mutualism ant-exclusive-mutualism ant-non-exclusive-mutualism ant-symbiotic-mutualism ant-non-symbiotic-mutualism ant-trophic-mutualism ant-defensive-mutualism ant-dispersive-mutualism ant-pollination-mutualism ant-agriculture-mutualism ant-construction-mutualism ant-nutrient-mutualism ant-protection-mutualism ant-cleaning-mutualism ant-transport-mutualism ant-storage-mutualism ant-processing-mutualism ant-consumption-mutualism ant-production-mutualism ant-exchange-mutualism ant-reciprocity-mutualism ant-by-product-mutualism ant-investment-mutualism ant-harvest-mutualism ant-cultivation-mutualism ant-domestication-mutualism ant-selection-mutualism ant-breeding-mutualism ant-engineering-mutualism ant-modification-mutualism ant-creation-mutualism ant-destruction-mutualism ant-transformation-mutualism ant-conversion-mutualism ant-utilization-mutualism ant-exploitation-mutualism ant-cooperation-mutualism ant-competition-mutualism ant-conflict-mutualism ant-resolution-mutualism ant-negotiation-mutualism ant-communication-mutualism ant-signal-mutualism ant-cue-mutualism ant-information-mutualism ant-knowledge-mutualism ant-learning-mutualism ant-memory-mutualism ant-cognition-mutualism ant-intelligence-mutualism ant-decision-mutualism ant-choice-mutualism ant-preference-mutualism ant-motivation-mutualism ant-emotion-mutualism ant-stress-mutualism ant-welfare-mutualism ant-health-mutualism ant-disease-mutualism ant-immunity-mutualism ant-resistance-mutualism ant-tolerance-mutualism ant-recovery-mutualism ant-healing-mutualism ant-therapy-mutualism ant-medicine-mutualism ant-prevention-mutualism ant-security-mutualism ant-safety-mutualism ant-risk-mutualism ant-hazard-mutualism ant-threat-mutualism ant-danger-mutualism ant-damage-mutualism ant-injury-mutualism ant-death-mutualism ant-mortality-mutualism ant-survival-mutualism ant-longevity-mutualism ant-reproduction-mutualism ant-fertility-mutualism ant-fecundity-mutualism ant-sterility-mutualism ant-virginity-mutualism ant-mating-mutualism ant-copulation-mutualism ant-insemination-mutualism ant-fertilization-mutualism ant-egg-mutualism ant-laying-mutualism ant-incubation-mutualism ant-hatching-mutualism ant-emergence-mutualism ant-eclosion-mutualism ant-molting-mutualism ant-ecdysis-mutualism ant-metamorphosis-mutualism ant-development-mutualism ant-growth-mutualism ant-differentiation-mutualism ant-maturation-mutualism ant-aging-mutualism ant-senescence-mutualism ant-decomposition-mutualism ant-recycling-mutualism ant-energy-mutualism ant-carbon-mutualism ant-nitrogen-mutualism ant-phosphorus-mutualism ant-sulfur-mutualism ant-water-mutualism ant-oxygen-mutualism ant-hydrogen-mutualism ant-mineral-mutualism ant-vitamin-mutualism ant-hormone-mutualism ant-enzyme-mutualism ant-protein-mutualism ant-lipid-mutualism ant-carbohydrate-mutualism ant-nucleic-acid-mutualism ant-DNA-mutualism ant-RNA-mutualism ant-gene-mutualism ant-genome-mutualism ant-chromosome-mutualism ant-cell-mutualism ant-tissue-mutualism ant-organ-mutualism ant-system-mutualism ant-organism-mutualism ant-individual-mutualism ant-colony-mutualism ant-population-mutualism ant-species-mutualism ant-genus-mutualism ant-family-mutualism ant-order-mutualism ant-class-mutualism ant-phylum-mutualism ant-kingdom-mutualism ant-domain-mutualism ant-life-mutualism ant-earth-mutualism ant-universe-mutualism
Cyphomyrmex minutus
Minute Fungus-farming Ant
Cyphomyrmex minutus is a species of fungus-farming ant in the tribe Attini, characterized by its small size and specialized cultivation of fungal gardens. The species is native to the Americas and has been documented across a broad geographic range from the United States through Central America to northern South America. Like other members of its genus, it maintains obligate mutualistic relationships with cultivated fungi, which serve as the primary food source for the colony. The species is one of numerous Cyphomyrmex taxa that have been historically understudied due to their cryptic nesting habits and small worker size.
fungus-farming-ant Attini mutualism Neotropical Nearctic formicidae myrmicinae
Eurhopalothrix floridana
Eurhopalothrix floridana is a species of ant in the subfamily Myrmicinae, originally described by Brown & Kempf in 1960. It belongs to the genus Eurhopalothrix, a group of small, cryptic ants within the Attini tribe. The species is known from the Dominican Republic, with records from the Jardín Botánico Nacional in Santo Domingo de Guzmán. Very little biological information has been published about this species; it has been mentioned in taxonomic literature primarily in comparative studies of male morphology.
ant Hymenoptera Myrmicinae Attini Caribbean Dominican-Republic cryptic-species rarely-collected
Formicoxenus
Guest Ants
Formicoxenus is a genus of myrmicine ants comprising seven described species. All members are obligate xenobionts (guest ants) that live within nests of host ant species, primarily in the Nearctic and Palearctic regions. The genus is notable for repeated evolution of social parasitism and is closely related to Leptothorax and Harpagoxenus within the Formicoxenus genus-group. Species exhibit specialized behavioral and chemical adaptations for integration into host colonies.
social-parasitism xenobiosis myrmecophily chemical-mimicry worker-polymorphism Nearctic Palearctic woodland Formicidae Myrmicinae
Leptothorax
Thin Ants
Small ants in the subfamily Myrmicinae with primarily Holarctic distributions. The genus is distinguished by widespread social parasitism, with many species dependent on host workers during part or all of their life cycles. Some species exhibit complex social behaviors including dominance hierarchies and queen usurpation.
ants Hymenoptera Myrmicinae social-parasitism dominance-hierarchy Holarctic queen-usurpation intermediate-host
Manica
Manica is a genus of ants in the subfamily Myrmicinae, family Formicidae. The genus contains six described species. These ants are distributed across the Holarctic region, with species found in North America and Eurasia. Manica ants are known to inhabit cool, montane environments and are among the few ant genera capable of surviving at high latitudes and elevations where conditions are challenging for most ant species.
ants Myrmicinae cold-climate Holarctic montane boreal
Manica hunteri
Manica hunteri is a species of ant in the family Formicidae, first described by Wheeler in 1914. It belongs to the genus Manica, a group of ants within the subfamily Myrmicinae. The species is recognized in major taxonomic databases including Catalogue of Life, GBIF, and NCBI Taxonomy. Beyond basic taxonomic classification, detailed biological information about this species remains limited in available sources.
ant Formicidae Myrmicinae Hymenoptera
Manica invidia
Manica invidia is a species of ant in the genus Manica, family Formicidae. The species was described by Bolton in 1995. It belongs to the subfamily Myrmicinae, a diverse group of ants that includes many seed-harvesting and fungus-growing species. Manica ants are found in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
ant Hymenoptera Formicidae Myrmicinae Manica
Monomorium
Trailing, Pharaoh, and Timid Ants
Monomorium is a large and morphologically diverse genus of ants in the subfamily Myrmicinae, containing approximately 396 species as of 2013. The genus exhibits remarkable variation in worker size, eye development, and caste polymorphism, with species ranging from minute to relatively large. It includes several significant pest species, notably the pharaoh ant (M. pharaonis) and the flower ant (M. floricola), which have achieved global distribution through human commerce. The genus is considered taxonomically problematic, lacking distinct morphological synapomorphies and currently recognized as paraphyletic, with several subgroups recently elevated to separate genera based on molecular evidence.
ants Myrmicinae invasive-species pest-ants pharaoh-ant cosmopolitan-distribution polygyny unicoloniality paraphyletic-genus seed-harvesters
Mycetomoellerius jamaicensis
Jamaican Fungus-farming Ant
Mycetomoellerius jamaicensis is a fungus-farming ant in the tribe Attini, known for cultivating symbiotic fungi as a food source. The species belongs to a genus historically classified under Trachymyrmex but recently recognized as distinct based on molecular and morphological evidence. As with other attine ants, colonies maintain fungal gardens within nests. The species has been documented in the conterminous United States with observations concentrated in the southeastern region.
fungus-farming-ant attine myrmicinae formicidae mutualism fungal-cultivation
Myrmecina
Mite-eating Ants
Myrmecina is a genus of ants in the subfamily Myrmicinae containing approximately 51-53 species. The genus has a broad geographic distribution spanning North America, Europe, northern Africa, India, Korea, Japan, and Australia. Species exhibit diverse reproductive strategies, including both winged gynomorphs and wingless intermorphs, with some populations demonstrating polygynous reproduction by ergatoid (worker-like) queens. The common name 'Mite-eating Ants' suggests a specialized dietary niche, though this has not been extensively documented.
ants Myrmicinae polygyny ergatoid-queens sexual-calling pheromone-communication queen-dimorphism fossil-ants Green-River-Formation
Myrmecina americana
American Mite-eating Ant
Myrmecina americana is a small ant species in the family Formicidae, described by Emery in 1895. The common name 'American Mite-eating Ant' reflects a presumed dietary specialization, though direct observational support for this feeding habit is limited. The species belongs to the genus Myrmecina, a group of ants distributed across multiple continents with centers of diversity in Asia and the Americas. As with many Myrmecina species, detailed natural history information remains sparse.
ant Myrmicinae North-America mitophagous-(presumed)Emery-1895
Myrmica
Furrowed Ants
Myrmica is a genus of ants in the subfamily Myrmicinae containing approximately 200 described species. The genus is widespread across temperate regions of the Holarctic and occurs in high mountain habitats of Southeast Asia. Myrmica species exhibit diverse colony structures, including both monogynous and polygynous forms. The genus is notable for its complex ecological relationships, including associations with parasitic butterflies, inquiline ant species, and various other organisms.
ants formicidae myrmicinae holarctic social-insects chemical-ecology host-parasite-interactions
Myrmica detritinodis
Eroded Ant
Myrmica detritinodis is a species of ant in the genus Myrmica, described by Emery in 1921. It belongs to the diverse and ecologically significant genus Myrmica, which includes numerous species known for their associations with various insects, including lycaenid butterflies and sawflies. The species is recognized under the common name "Eroded Ant." As with many Myrmica species, it likely participates in trophobiotic relationships, though specific ecological details for this particular species remain poorly documented in available sources.
ant Myrmica Formicidae Hymenoptera insect Eroded-Ant Myrmicinae myrmecology Emery-1921
Myrmica lobifrons
Lobe-fronted Ant
Myrmica lobifrons is a species of ant in the genus Myrmica, first described by Pergande in 1900. It is commonly known as the lobe-fronted ant. The species belongs to the subfamily Myrmicinae, a diverse group of ants that includes many species with specialized ecological relationships. Like other Myrmica species, M. lobifrons may participate in mutualistic or parasitic associations with other organisms, though specific documented interactions for this species are limited in the provided sources.
ant Myrmica Formicidae Myrmicinae Hymenoptera insect lobifrons Pergande-1900 Lobe-fronted-Ant
Nesomyrmex
Nesomyrmex is a genus of myrmicine ants distributed across the Neotropical, Afrotropical, and Malagasy regions. Most species inhabit arid climates, though some occur in rainforest environments. They nest in soil or arboreally. The genus was established by Wheeler in 1910, and recent taxonomic work has described new species from Colombian tropical dry forest.
ants Myrmicinae tropical-dry-forest arboreal-nesting soil-nesting
Nesomyrmex wilda
Nesomyrmex wilda is a species of ant in the family Formicidae, originally described by Smith in 1943. The species belongs to the genus Nesomyrmex, a group of myrmicine ants distributed primarily in tropical and subtropical regions. The specific epithet 'wilda' honors Alex Wild, a noted insect photographer and entomologist. The species has been documented through limited observations, with 19 records on iNaturalist as of the available data.
ant Formicidae Myrmicinae Crematogastrini Nesomyrmex honorary-epithet Alex-Wild Smith-1943
Novomessor albisetosus
desert harvester ant
Novomessor albisetosus, commonly known as the desert harvester ant, is a medium-sized ant species native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. First described by Gustav Mayr in 1886 as Aphaenogaster albisetosa, it was transferred to the revived genus Novomessor in 2015 following phylogenetic evidence of its distinctness from Aphaenogaster. Workers measure 6–8.5 mm and display ferruginous body coloration with distinctive morphological features including a shorter head and subparallel eyes compared to congeners. The species exhibits age-related task allocation among workers and cooperative foraging behavior, with colonies nesting underground or beneath stones in arid and semi-arid habitats.
ant harvester-ant desert-ant social-insect age-polyethism cooperative-foraging Chihuahuan-Desert Sonoran-Desert Myrmicinae Formicidae
Pheidole adrianoi
Florida Rosemary Big-headed Ant
Pheidole adrianoi is a species of big-headed ant in the genus Pheidole, described by Naves in 1985. The species is known from Florida, where it has been recorded in association with Florida rosemary (Ceratiola ericoides) habitats. As with other members of the hyperdiverse genus Pheidole, this species exhibits worker polymorphism with distinct major and minor worker castes. The species has been documented through iNaturalist observations, though detailed biological studies remain limited.
Pheidole big-headed-ant Florida endemic scrub-habitat worker-polymorphism Ceratiola-ericoides Myrmicinae Formicidae Hymenoptera Naves-1985 iNaturalist-documented native-ant Florida-rosemary-association
Pheidole barbata
Bearded Big-headed Ant
Pheidole barbata is a species of big-headed ant in the genus Pheidole, first described by Wheeler in 1908. The common name "Bearded Big-headed Ant" refers to distinctive pilosity characteristic of this species. As with other members of its hyperdiverse genus, it exhibits the characteristic dimorphic worker caste system with minor workers and major soldiers bearing disproportionately enlarged heads. The species belongs to the Myrmicinae subfamily and is part of the Attini tribe, though it is not a fungus-growing ant like the true attines.
ants formicidae myrmicinae pheidole big-headed-ants new-world-ants
Pheidole californica
California Big-headed Ant
Pheidole californica is a species of big-headed ant in the genus Pheidole, characterized by the presence of dimorphic worker castes including small workers and large-headed soldiers. The species belongs to the diverse myrmicine ant fauna of western North America. Like other Pheidole species, it exhibits the classic soldier-worker caste system where soldiers possess disproportionately enlarged heads and mandibles used for defense and food processing. The species was described by Mayr in 1870 and includes two recognized subspecies: P. c. californica and P. c. oregonica.
ants myrmicinae pheidole native western-north-america dimorphic big-headed-ant
Pheidole clementensis
San Clemente Island Big-headed Ant
Pheidole clementensis is a species of big-headed ant in the genus Pheidole, described by Gregg in 1969. It is endemic to San Clemente Island, California, and is recognized as a distinct species within the highly diverse genus Pheidole, which contains over 1,000 species globally. Like other Pheidole species, it exhibits worker polymorphism with distinct soldier and minor worker castes.
ant big-headed-ant endemic California Channel-Islands Pheidole Myrmicinae Formicidae Hymenoptera invasive-species-genus worker-polymorphism
Pheidole constipata
Pheidole constipata is a species of big-headed ant in the genus Pheidole, described by Wheeler in 1908. The genus Pheidole is hyperdiverse, containing at least 1,000 species in the New World alone, and is characterized by a worker caste polymorphism that includes minor workers and soldier ants with disproportionately large heads. As with other members of this genus, P. constipata exhibits this distinctive soldier caste, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in available literature.
ants formicidae pheidole myrmicinae hymenoptera
Pheidole desertorum
Desert Big-headed Ant
Pheidole desertorum is a desert-dwelling ant in the hyperdiverse genus Pheidole, characterized by large colony sizes and pronounced worker polymorphism. Colonies contain 2,460–24,814 adult workers, making them exceptionally large for the genus. The species exhibits nocturnal foraging during summer months and employs multiple nests as an anti-predator defense strategy. Mating occurs following summer rainfall, with males forming aerial swarms prior to sunrise. Colony foundation is typically haplometrotic, though pleometrotic associations with workers occur.
ants formicidae myrmicinae pheidole desert grassland nocturnal polymorphic big-headed-ant native-species arthropod-predator multiple-nests haplodiploid swarm-mating replete-caste