Plant-ant-mutualism
Guides
Forelius
Forelius is a genus of ants in the subfamily Dolichoderinae, distributed across the Neotropical region from the southern United States to Argentina. The genus comprises at least 18 described species, including F. pruinosus, which has been documented as a native mutualist with plants and as a participant in ecological interactions with sea turtle nests. Species in this genus produce characteristic defensive secretions containing iridodial and iridomyrmecin.
Pseudomyrmecinae
big-eyed tree ants, big-eyed ants
Pseudomyrmecinae is a subfamily of slender, hyperoptic arboreal ants comprising three genera: Pseudomyrmex (~200 species, Neotropical), Tetraponera (~100 species, Palaeotropical), and Myrcidris (two species, South America). The subfamily originated in the Palaeotropics during the Cretaceous and later dispersed to South America, where it underwent significant diversification. At least twelve independent origins of obligate mutualisms with domatia-bearing plants have occurred within this group, making it the most diverse plant-occupying ant lineage worldwide.