Social-parasitism

Guides

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
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
Clavigeritae
Clavigeritae is a supertribe of minute rove beetles (Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae) comprising approximately 370 described species. These beetles are obligate myrmecophiles, living socially parasitic lives within ant colonies. The group exhibits extreme morphological specialization for this lifestyle, including body segment fusions and unique glandular structures. The 52-million-year-old fossil Protoclaviger trichodens from India represents the oldest known myrmecophilous beetle and reveals transitional features between ancestral and modern forms.
myrmecophily social-parasitism rove-beetles amber-fossil Eocene chemical-deception trichomes Gondwanan-distribution nocturnal
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
Ectatomminae
Ectaheteromorph Ants
Ectatomminae is a subfamily of ants established in 2003 when Barry Bolton divided the former Ponerinae into six subfamilies. It currently comprises two tribes (Ectatommini and Heteroponerini) with approximately 13 extant genera and three extinct genera. The subfamily was further consolidated in 2022 when Heteroponerinae was merged into Ectatomminae, and this taxonomic position was upheld by genomic reanalysis in 2024. Members are primarily distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in the Neotropics.
ants hunting-ants poneromorph tropical Neotropical predatory social-insects inquilines social-parasitism
Formica subsericea
silky field ant, black field ant
Formica subsericea is a medium-sized ant species native to eastern North America, commonly known as the silky field ant or black field ant. Workers are noted for their exceptional speed and timid behavior. The species is frequently enslaved by Polyergus slave-making ants and has been observed serving as a host for inquiline fly larvae. Nuptial flights occur in mid to late summer.
ant Formicidae slave-making-host temperate-forest eastern-North-America swimming social-parasitism
Formicinae
formicine ants
Formicinae is a large and diverse subfamily of ants characterized by a single-segmented petiole in the form of a vertical scale, reduced stings, and the production of formic acid as a defensive compound. Members retain several primitive features including cocoons around pupae and ocelli in workers. The subfamily includes familiar ants such as carpenter ants (Camponotus), weaver ants (Oecophylla), and honeypot ants (Myrmecocystus). Formicines exhibit diverse ecological strategies including mutualism with sap-feeding hemipterans and specialized slave-making behaviors in some lineages.
ants formic-acid acidopore slave-making mutualism weaver-ants carpenter-ants honeypot-ants social-parasitism hemipteran-mutualism
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
Fustiger
ant-loving beetles
Fustiger is a genus of myrmecophilous (ant-loving) beetles in the family Staphylinidae, belonging to the tribe Clavigerini. These beetles are highly specialized social parasites that live within ant colonies. The genus contains at least three described species: Fustiger fuchsii, Fustiger knausii, and Fustiger stricticornis. Members of this genus exhibit remarkable morphological adaptations for infiltrating ant nests and exploiting colony resources.
myrmecophily social-parasitism Staphylinidae Clavigeritae ant-associated
Fustiger fuchsii
Fustiger fuchsii is a species of myrmecophilous rove beetle in the family Staphylinidae, subfamily Pselaphinae. It belongs to the tribe Clavigerini, a group of highly specialized beetles that live as social parasites within ant colonies. The species was described by Brendel in 1866. Like other members of its tribe, it has evolved remarkable morphological adaptations for infiltrating ant nests and exploiting colony resources.
myrmecophily social-parasitism rove-beetle ant-associated Clavigeritae
Haeteriinae
Haeteriinae is a subfamily of clown beetles (Histeridae) comprising over 110 genera and 330 described species. Members are obligate myrmecophiles and termitophiles, specialized as social symbionts that infiltrate ant and termite colonies. The subfamily exhibits dramatic behavioral and chemical adaptations for colony integration, including mouth-to-mouth feeding with host workers, grooming behaviors, and chemical mimicry of host scents. A 99-million-year-old fossil from Burmese amber demonstrates that this symbiotic relationship originated in the Cretaceous period, contemporaneous with the earliest-known ants.
myrmecophile termitophile symbiosis Cretaceous army-ants chemical-mimicry phoresy fossil Burmese-amber Eciton social-parasitism clown-beetles Histeridae evolutionary-persistence host-switching
Lasius
Citronella Ants, Fuzzy Ants, Moisture Ants, Yellow Ants, Lemon Ants
Lasius is a genus of formicine ants comprising approximately 100 species distributed across the Holarctic region. The genus exhibits remarkable ecological diversity, including free-living species, temporary social parasites, and the hyper-social parasite Lasius fuliginosus. Many species are known as "citronella ants" due to their production of citronellal, a lemon-scented defensive compound. Lasius species are significant ecosystem engineers that modify soil properties and engage in mutualistic relationships with root-feeding aphids, herding them for honeydew production.
ants formicidae formicinae social-insects ecosystem-engineers aphid-mutualism social-parasitism citronella-ants moisture-ants soil-nesting
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
Pogonomyrmex colei
Pogonomyrmex colei is a workerless inquiline ant species in the subfamily Myrmicinae. It is a permanent social parasite that lacks a worker caste entirely, with only reproductive queens and males present. The species is native to the southwestern United States, where it parasitizes nests of the harvester ant Pogonomyrmex rugosus. Its genome has been sequenced to study the genetic mechanisms underlying the evolutionary loss of the worker caste.
social-parasitism workerless-inquiline caste-evolution genomics myrmicinae harvester-ants southwestern-United-States
Polyergus
Amazon ants, slave-raiding ants, slave-making ants
Polyergus is a genus of 14 described species of obligate slave-making ants found throughout the northern hemisphere. Workers possess highly specialized dagger-like mandibles adapted for piercing the heads of host ants during raids, but have lost the ability to perform brood care or feed themselves. All colonies depend entirely on captured workers from the genus Formica to perform nest maintenance, foraging, and brood rearing. New colonies are founded when a single queen invades an existing Formica nest, eventually killing the host queen and assuming control of the worker force.
slave-making dulosis social-parasitism Formicidae Formicinae behavioral-evolution obligatory-parasitism ant-plant-interactions community-ecology holarctic-distribution
Polyergus bicolor
Bicolored Amazon Ant
Polyergus bicolor is an obligate slave-making ant species in the genus Polyergus, commonly known as Amazon ants. The species was first described by Wasmann in 1901 and was historically known primarily from eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. A 2019 discovery in Alberta, Canada marked a significant range expansion westward and represented a new host association with Formica podzolica. Like other Polyergus species, P. bicolor is a dulotic parasite entirely dependent on host colonies of Formica ants for survival, as its workers cannot forage, feed themselves, or excavate nests.
slave-making-ant dulotic-parasitism Formicidae social-parasitism Amazon-ant rare-species range-expansion new-host-record
Pseudomyrmex
Twig Ants, Acacia Ants
Pseudomyrmex is a genus of stinging ants in the subfamily Pseudomyrmecinae, comprising approximately 180-209 species distributed primarily in tropical and subtropical regions of the New World. The genus is characterized by large compound eyes, slender wasp-like bodies, and diurnal activity patterns. Most species are generalist twig nesters that inhabit hollow stems and dead wood, though several species have evolved obligate mutualistic relationships with myrmecophytic plants, most famously with bullhorn acacias (Acacia spp.). These mutualistic species provide aggressive defense of their host plants against herbivores and competing vegetation in exchange for nesting sites and specialized food sources.
ants mutualism myrmecophytes acacia-ants twig-ants neotropical social-insects plant-ant-interactions social-parasitism vision-dependent-navigation
Stictocephala stimulea
Stictocephala stimulea is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, first described by Van Duzee in 1914. Treehoppers in this genus are characterized by their enlarged, often ornate pronotum that extends over the body like a helmet or thorn. The specific epithet 'stimulea' suggests possible resemblance to or association with stinging organisms, though this refers to appearance rather than actual sting. Like other membracids, this species likely feeds on plant phloem sap using piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Membracidae treehopper Auchenorrhyncha Cicadomorpha Stictocephala Ceresini Smiliinae Hemiptera sap-feeder pronotum helmet thorn-mimicry plant-feeding-insect phloem-feeder cryptic-coloration camouflage Van-Duzee-1914 Nearctic North-America Florida North-Carolina South-Dakota understudied-species data-deficient taxonomy entomology insect arthropod true-bug auchenorrhynchan cicadomorph leafhopper-relative plant-hopper ornate-pronotum pronotal-extension dorsal-helmet insect-morphology insect-systematics biodiversity natural-history conservation insect-ecology insect-behavior insect-development insect-distribution biogeography species-description type-specimen original-description historical-taxonomy museum-specimen collection-record occurrence-data GBIF iNaturalist citizen-science observation-record range-map distribution-data geographic-range endemic native-species regional-fauna local-biodiversity habitat-specificity host-plant feeding-guild phytophagous herbivore plant-insect-interaction coevolution mimicry defense crypsis evolutionary-adaptation morphological-adaptation exoskeleton-modification structural-coloration insect-identification field-guide diagnostic-character taxonomic-key species-complex cryptic-species morphological-variation geographic-variation phenotypic-plasticity life-history reproduction oviposition nymph instar metamorphosis hemimetabolous incomplete-metamorphosis population-dynamics community-ecology food-web trophic-level primary-consumer ecosystem-function nutrient-cycling energy-flow biological-control pest-status agricultural-relevance forestry urban-ecology invasive-potential climate-change habitat-loss conservation-status data-gap research-need taxonomic-revision phylogenetics molecular-systematics DNA-barcoding integrative-taxonomy natural-history-collection specimen-digitization open-data FAIR-data biodiversity-informatics biological-database taxonomic-authority nomenclature zoological-nomenclature International-Code-of-Zoological-Nomenclature type-locality type-specimen-deposition author-citation original-combination current-combination synonymy homonymy nomenclatural-act taxonomic-history classification-system phylogenetic-classification evolutionary-relationships monophyly clade lineage stem-group crown-group divergence-time molecular-clock fossil-record paleontology extant extinct living-fossil evolutionary-history biogeographic-history dispersal vicariance range-expansion range-contraction refugium glacial-relict postglacial-colonization anthropogenic-impact human-disturbance land-use-change urbanization agricultural-intensification pesticide-use habitat-fragmentation connectivity corridor protected-area conservation-planning systematic-conservation-planning priority-area hotspot endemic-area center-of-origin center-of-diversity evolutionary-significant-unit management-unit population metapopulation source-sink-dynamics demography vital-rates survival fecundity generation-time population-growth-rate carrying-capacity density-dependence regulation limiting-factor environmental-stochasticity demographic-stochasticity genetic-stochasticity inbreeding-depression outbreeding-depression genetic-diversity heterozygosity allelic-richness effective-population-size genetic-drift gene-flow migration isolation-by-distance isolation-by-resistance landscape-genetics population-genomics phylogeography historical-demography coalescent-theory approximate-Bayesian-computation species-distribution-model ecological-niche-model habitat-suitability bioclimatic-envelope climate-envelope niche-conservatism niche-evolution realized-niche fundamental-niche biotic-interaction competition predation parasitism mutualism commensalism amensalism facilitation apparent-competition indirect-interaction trophic-cascade top-down-control bottom-up-control mesopredator-release keystone-species ecosystem-engineer foundation-species dominant-species characteristic-species indicator-species umbrella-species flagship-species surrogate-species focal-species target-species pest-species invasive-species naturalized-species alien-species non-native-species introduced-species cryptogenic-species range-shift poleward-shift elevational-shift phenological-shift temporal-mismatch trophic-mismatch phenology seasonality voltinism univoltine bivoltine multivoltine partial-generation prolonged-diapause aestivation hibernation overwintering overwintering-strategy cold-hardiness freeze-tolerance freeze-avoidance supercooling cryoprotectant thermal-biology thermoregulation behavioral-thermoregulation microclimate-selection habitat-selection oviposition-site-selection host-selection mate-choice sexual-selection sperm-competition cryptic-female-choice reproductive-isolation prezygotic-isolation postzygotic-isolation speciation allopatric-speciation sympatric-speciation parapatric-speciation peripatric-speciation reinforcement hybridization introgression hybrid-zone cline ecotone contact-zone secondary-contact exogenous-selection endogenous-selection ecological-speciation mutation-order-speciation sexual-conflict sexual-dimorphism sexual-size-dimorphism sexual-dichromatism polymorphism color-polymorphism morph phase gregarious-phase solitary-phase density-dependent-polyphenism reaction-norm genotype-environment-interaction plasticity canalization genetic-assimilation acclimation acclimatization hardening stress-response heat-shock-protein oxidative-stress hypoxia desiccation starvation immune-response innate-immunity humoral-immunity cellular-immunity encapsulation nodulation phagocytosis melanization antimicrobial-peptide phenoloxidase prophenoloxidase lysozyme defensin cecropin diptericin attacin immune-gene immune-pathway Toll-pathway Imd-pathway JAK-STAT-pathway NF-κB relish dorsal immune-memory specific-immunity transgenerational-immune-priming gut-microbiome symbiosis obligate-symbiont facultative-symbiont primary-symbiont secondary-symbiont vertical-transmission horizontal-transmission mixed-mode-transmission nutritional-symbiosis defensive-symbiosis digestive-symbiosis detoxification metabolism biosynthesis vitamin-synthesis amino-acid-synthesis steroid-synthesis cuticle-synthesis chitin-synthesis molting ecdysis ecdysteroid juvenile-hormone insulin-signaling TOR-signaling nutrient-sensing energy-storage lipid-metabolism carbohydrate-metabolism protein-metabolism flight-metabolism respiration tracheal-system spiracle gas-exchange water-balance osmoregulation excretion Malpighian-tubule hindgut rectum cryptonephridial-system ion-transport water-reabsorption nitrogenous-waste uric-acid urea ammonia detoxification-enzyme cytochrome-P450 glutathione-S-transferase carboxylesterase mixed-function-oxidase resistance insecticide-resistance acaricide-resistance herbicide-resistance antibiotic-resistance resistance-management resistance-evolution resistance-mechanism target-site-resistance metabolic-resistance behavioral-resistance cuticular-resistance resistance-allele resistance-gene fitness-cost fitness-benefit pleiotropy trade-off life-history-trade-off allocation resource-allocation energy-allocation time-allocation foraging optimal-foraging central-place-foraging patch-use marginal-value-theorem predator-avoidance antipredator-defense masquerade Batesian-mimicry Müllerian-mimicry automimicry intraspecific-mimicry intersexual-mimicry aggressive-mimicry social-parasitism brood-parasitism kleptoparasitism defense-behavior thanatosis death-feigning startle-display deimatic-display eyespot deflection-mark autotomy reflex-bleeding regurgitation defensive-secretion venom toxin allomone kairomone synomone semiochemical pheromone sex-pheromone aggregation-pheromone alarm-pheromone trail-pheromone territorial-pheromone recognition-pheromone signature-mixture cuticular-hydrocarbon volatile-organic-compound olfaction gustation mechanoreception thermoreception hygroreception photoreception vision compound-eye ommatidium rhabdom visual-pigment opsin color-vision polarization-vision motion-detection optomotor-response phototaxis photoperiodism circadian-rhythm biological-clock entrainment zeitgeber circannual-rhythm photoperiod day-length critical-day-length critical-photoperiod diapause-induction diapause-termination diapause-maintenance diapause-development endocrine-control neuroendocrine corpus-allatum corpus-cardiacum prothoracic-gland ecdysiotropin ecdysiostatin allatostatin allatotropin neuropeptide hormone hormone-receptor signal-transduction gene-expression transcription-factor regulatory-gene structural-gene gene-network gene-regulatory-network developmental-gene Hox-gene homeobox segment-polarity-gene gap-gene pair-rule-gene maternal-effect-gene zygotic-gene embryonic-development embryogenesis cleavage blastoderm gastrulation segmentation tagmosis appendage-development imaginal-disc holometabolous complete-metamorphosis larva pupa adult apolysis teneral sclerotization tanning cuticle exoskeleton epicuticle procuticle exocuticle endocuticle resilin sclerotin chitin protein lipid wax cement-layer wax-layer surface-lipid waterproofing anti-wetting anti-fouling self-cleaning structural-color pigmentary-color ommin pteridine carotenoid melanin papiliochrome flavonoid anthocyanin betalain iridescence photonic-crystal diffraction-grating thin-film-interference multilayer-reflector scattering Tyndall-scattering Rayleigh-scattering Mie-scattering non-iridescent-structural-color biochrome biofluorescence bioluminescence luciferin luciferase photoprotein bioluminescent-system counter-illumination burglar-alarm lure communication mate-recognition predator-deterrence aposematism warning-coloration honest-signal dishonest-signal signal-evolution signal-design receiver-psychology sensory-bias sensory-exploitation sensory-trap amplifier attenuator signal-efficacy signal-honesty handicap-principle index-signal conventional-signal assessment-signal territorial-signal dominance-signal submissive-signal aggressive-signal courtship-signal copulatory-signal postcopulatory-signal antagonistic-coevolution chase-away-selection sensory-drive reproductive-character-displacement genetic-exchange admixture hybrid-fitness hybrid-breakdown hybrid-vigor heterosis genetic-load mutational-meltdown founder-effect bottleneck population-expansion invasion-genetics propagule-pressure introduction-effort establishment spread lag-phase exponential-growth logistic-growth Allee-effect demographic-Allee-effect component-Allee-effect strong-Allee-effect weak-Allee-effect critical-population-size minimum-viable-population extinction-risk population-viability-analysis stochastic-model deterministic-model individual-based-model agent-based-model spatially-explicit-model metapopulation-model source-sink-model integrated-population-model state-space-model hierarchical-model Bayesian-model machine-learning artificial-intelligence computer-vision image-recognition automated-identification deep-learning neural-network convolutional-neural-network transfer-learning data-augmentation training-set validation-set test-set accuracy precision recall F1-score confusion-matrix receiver-operating-characteristic area-under-curve model-selection model-validation cross-validation bootstrapping permutation-test null-model randomization-test Monte-Carlo-simulation Markov-chain-Monte-Carlo Gibbs-sampling Metropolis-Hastings-algorithm Bayesian-inference prior-distribution posterior-distribution likelihood-function evidence model-comparison Bayes-factor information-criterion Akaike-information-criterion corrected-AIC Bayesian-information-criterion deviance-information-criterion Watanabe-Akaike-information-criterion cross-validation-information-criterion stacking model-averaging ensemble-model prediction forecasting scenario-analysis sensitivity-analysis uncertainty-analysis propagation-of-uncertainty error-budget confidence-interval credible-interval prediction-interval tolerance-interval statistical-power sample-size effect-size significance-test hypothesis-testing null-hypothesis alternative-hypothesis type-I-error type-II-error false-positive false-negative multiple-comparison Bonferroni-correction false-discovery-rate q-value p-value significance-level alpha-level beta-level statistical-test parametric-test nonparametric-test robust-test exact-test asymptotic-test bootstrap-test jackknife resampling subsampling leave-one-out k-fold stratified-sampling balanced-sampling imbalanced-data class-imbalance oversampling undersampling synthetic-minority-oversampling SMOTE ADASYN cost-sensitive-learning ensemble-method bagging boosting random-forest gradient-boosting XGBoost LightGBM CatBoost support-vector-machine kernel-method radial-basis-function polynomial-kernel linear-kernel sigmoid-kernel decision-tree classification-tree regression-tree pruning cost-complexity-pruning minimum-description-length rule-based-classifier association-rule frequent-pattern apriori-algorithm FP-growth sequential-pattern temporal-pattern spatial-pattern spatiotemporal-pattern time-series-analysis trend-analysis seasonal-decomposition autoregressive-model moving-average-model ARIMA SARIMA exponential-smoothing state-space-model Kalman-filter particle-filter hidden-Markov-model dynamic-Bayesian-network recurrent-neural-network long-short-term-memory gated-recurrent-unit transformer attention-mechanism self-attention multi-head-attention encoder decoder encoder-decoder-architecture sequence-to-sequence-model generative-model generative-adversarial-network variational-autoencoder normalizing-flow diffusion-model energy-based-model Boltzmann-machine restricted-Boltzmann-machine deep-belief-network autoencoder denoising-autoencoder sparse-autoencoder contractive-autoencoder variational-inference expectation-maximization maximum-likelihood maximum-a-posteriori maximum-entropy Occam's-razor parsimony model-complexity overfitting underfitting bias-variance-tradeoff regularization L1-regularization L2-regularization elastic-net dropout early-stopping batch-normalization layer-normalization group-normalization instance-normalization weight-decay mixup cutout cutmix random-erasing autoaugment fast-autoaugment population-based-augmentation neural-architecture-search automated-machine-learning hyperparameter-optimization grid-search random-search Bayesian-optimization sequential-model-based-optimization multi-fidelity-optimization knowledge-distillation teacher-student-model model-compression quantization knowledge-transfer domain-adaptation few-shot-learning zero-shot-learning one-shot-learning meta-learning learning-to-learn metric-learning siamese-network triplet-loss contrastive-learning self-supervised-learning unsupervised-learning semi-supervised-learning weakly-supervised-learning active-learning online-learning incremental-learning continual-learning lifelong-learning curriculum-learning multi-task-learning multi-modal-learning cross-modal-learning representation-learning feature-learning embedding-learning manifold-learning dimensionality-reduction principal-component-analysis t-SNE UMAP word-embedding sentence-embedding document-embedding knowledge-graph-embedding graph-neural-network graph-convolutional-network graph-attention-network message-passing-neural-network relational-graph-convolutional-network inductive-learning transductive-learning homophily heterophily graph-isomorphism Weisfeiler-Lehman-test subgraph-isomorphism graph-matching network-alignment network-embedding node-embedding edge-embedding graph-classification node-classification link-prediction graph-generation graph-synthesis molecular-generation de-novo-design inverse-design retrosynthesis reaction-prediction property-prediction quantitative-structure-activity-relationship QSAR quantitative-structure-property-relationship QSPR molecular-descriptor fingerprint Morgan-fingerprint extended-connectivity-fingerprint circular-fingerprint atom-pair-fingerprint topological-torsion-fingerprint pharmacophore shape-similarity electrostatic-similarity docking scoring-function binding-affinity-prediction protein-ligand-interaction protein-protein-interaction protein-structure-prediction AlphaFold protein-folding contact-prediction distance-prediction angle-prediction torsion-prediction secondary-structure-prediction tertiary-structure-prediction quaternary-structure-prediction protein-design protein-engineering directed-evolution rational-design computational-design de-novo-protein-design enzyme-design catalytic-antibody ribozyme aptamer DNAzyme synthetic-biology genetic-circuit metabolic-engineering metabolic-flux-analysis flux-balance-analysis genome-scale-metabolic-model dynamic-metabolic-model kinetic-modeling stoichiometric-modeling constraint-based-modeling optimization linear-programming mixed-integer-linear-programming quadratic-programming nonlinear-programming dynamic-programming stochastic-programming robust-optimization multi-objective-optimization Pareto-optimality evolutionary-algorithm genetic-algorithm genetic-programming differential-evolution particle-swarm-optimization ant-colony-optimization simulated-annealing tabu-search variable-neighborhood-search iterated-local-search greedy-randomized-adaptive-search scatter-search path-relinking memetic-algorithm hyper-heuristic metaheuristic local-search neighborhood-search hill-climbing random-walk randomized-search Monte-Carlo-tree-search upper-confidence-bound Thompson-sampling multi-armed-bandit contextual-bandit reinforcement-learning policy-gradient actor-critic Q-learning deep-Q-network policy-iteration value-iteration temporal-difference-learning SARSA expected-SARSA double-Q-learning dueling-Q-network prioritized-experience-replay distributed-reinforcement-learning impala A3C asynchronous-advantage-actor-critic PPO proximal-policy-optimization TRPO trust-region-policy-optimization DDPG deep-deterministic-policy-gradient TD3 twin-delayed-deep-deterministic-policy-gradient SAC soft-actor-critic model-based-reinforcement-learning model-predictive-control guided-policy-search imitation-learning inverse-reinforcement-learning apprenticeship-learning behavior-cloning dataset-aggregation DAgger generative-adversarial-imitation-learning third-person-imitation-learning one-shot-imitation-learning meta-reinforcement-learning hierarchical-reinforcement-learning option skill subgoal intrinsic-motivation curiosity-driven-exploration empowerment information-gain prediction-error novelty-seeking diversity-seeking multi-agent-reinforcement-learning mean-field fictitious-play correlated-equilibrium Nash-equilibrium game-theory mechanism-design auction-theory incentive-design social-choice-theory voting-theory fair-division matching-theory market-design algorithmic-game-theory computational-social-choice computational-complexity NP-completeness NP-hardness approximation-algorithm approximation-ratio inapproximability fixed-parameter-tractability parameterized-complexity kernelization treewidth graph-minor forbidden-minor-characterization well-quasi-ordering Robertson-Seymour-theorem graph-structure-theorem bidimensionality-theory meta-theorem Courcelle's-theorem automata-theory finite-automaton pushdown-automaton Turing-machine computability decidability halting-problem Rice's-theorem Gödel's-incompleteness-theorems lambda-calculus combinatory-logic type-theory proof-theory model-theory set-theory forcing large-cardinal axiom-of-choice continuum-hypothesis independence-result consistency-strength reverse-mathematics constructive-mathematics intuitionistic-logic modal-logic temporal-logic epistemic-logic deontic-logic description-logic ontology knowledge-representation semantic-web linked-data RDF SPARQL OWL knowledge-graph entity-linking relation-extraction event-extraction coreference-resolution named-entity-recognition part-of-speech-tagging dependency-parsing constituency-parsing semantic-parsing natural-language-inference textual-entailment natural-language-generation machine-translation summarization question-answering dialogue-system conversational-AI chatbot virtual-assistant speech-recognition speech-synthesis speaker-recognition emotion-recognition sentiment-analysis opinion-mining aspect-based-sentiment-analysis target-dependent-sentiment-analysis stance-detection rumor-detection fake-news-detection fact-checking claim-verification evidence-retrieval argument-mining persuasion-detection deception-detection personality-prediction mental-health-detection suicide-prevention crisis-intervention social-media-mining network-analysis community-detection influence-maximization information-diffusion cascade-modeling epidemic-modeling SEIR-model SIR-model agent-based-epidemic-model compartmental-model network-epidemic-model metapopulation-epidemic-model spatial-epidemic-model stochastic-epidemic-model branching-process renewal-equation generation-interval serial-interval incubation-period latent-period infectious-period basic-reproduction-number effective-reproduction-number herd-immunity-threshold vaccination-coverage vaccine-efficacy vaccine-effectiveness breakthrough-infection waning-immunity immune-escape variant-of-concern variant-of-interest variant-under-monitoring phylogenetic-analysis molecular-clock-analysis phylodynamics viral-evolution antigenic-drift antigenic-shift zoonotic-spillover reservoir-host intermediate-host amplifying-host dead-end-host vector-borne-disease mosquito-borne-disease tick-borne-disease flea-borne-disease lice-borne-disease midge-borne-disease sandfly-borne-disease tsetse-borne-disease blackfly-borne-disease triatomine-borne-disease kissing-bug Chagas-disease trypanosomiasis leishmaniasis malaria dengue yellow-fever Zika-virus chikungunya West-Nile-virus Japanese-encephalitis tick-borne-encephalitis Lyme-disease Rocky-Mountain-spotted-fever ehlichiosis anaplasmosis babesiosis tularemia plague murine-typhus epidemic-typhus endemic-typhus scrub-typhus Q-fever trench-fever bartonellosis cat-scratch-disease rat-bite-fever leptospirosis brucellosis anthrax melioidosis glanders tularaemia francisellosis coxiellosis rickettsiosis orientia-infection ehrlichiosis neoehrlichiosis neorickettsiosis anaplasmataceae rickettsiaceae coxiellaceae bartonellaceae brucellaceae francisellaceae pasteurellaceae legionellaceae chlamydiaceae mycoplasmataceae ureaplasmataceae spiroplasmataceae achaenoplasmataceae entomoplasmataceae haloplasmataceae tenericutes mollicutes bacteroidetes fusobacteria spirochaetes synergistetes deferribacteres thermotogae aquificae caldiserica caldithrix deferrisoma desulfurobacterium thermovibrio thermocrinis hydrogenobacter sulfurihydrogenibium persephonella hydrogenobaculum hydrothermus thermothrix sulfuricurvum sulfurimonas sulfurovum thiovulum thiomicrospira pseudomonas vibrio aeromonas photobacterium aliivibrio gracilibacillus halobacillus halomonas chromohalobacter cobetia salinicola kushneria halotalea halovibrio salinivibrio thioalkalivibrio thiohalophilus ectothiorhodospira halorhodospira thiorhodospira halochromatium thioflavicoccus marichromatium thiocapsa lamprocystis thiodictyon thiopedia amoebobacter thiocystis chromatium allo-chromatium thermochromatium rhabdochromatium thiobaca thiohalocapsa halocapsa thiolamprovum thioploca thiomargarita beggiatoa methylococcus methylomonas methylomicrobium methylosinus methylocystis methylocella methylocapsa methylacidiphilum verrucomicrobia planctomycetes chlamydiae lentisphaerae kiritimatiellaeota calditrichaeota fervidibacteria
Strumigenys
Mustache and Pygmy Snapping Ants
Strumigenys is a hyperdiverse genus of small predatory ants in the subfamily Myrmicinae, comprising over 880 species. Members are characterized by specialized mandible morphology ranging from gripping to trap-jaw mechanisms, and cryptic lifestyles primarily in leaf litter and soil habitats. The genus exhibits remarkable diversity in nesting strategies, including solitary nesting, xenobiosis, and social parasitism. Several species reproduce via thelytokous parthenogenesis, a rare trait among ants that facilitates colonization of new environments.
ants predatory-ants trap-jaw-ants leaf-litter-fauna parthenogenesis social-parasitism Myrmicinae cryptic-lifestyle
Temnothorax ambiguus
Doubtful Acorn Ant
Temnothorax ambiguus is an ant species in the subfamily Myrmicinae, commonly known as the Doubtful Acorn Ant. It serves as a host species for the obligatory slave-making ant Protomognathus americanus and exhibits facultative slave-making behavior itself. Laboratory studies demonstrate sophisticated larval recognition capabilities, with workers preferentially accepting nestmate larvae and discriminating between conspecific and allospecific brood. The species has been observed in contexts involving cavity-nesting habits typical of the genus, including nesting in hollow nuts and acorns.
ant acorn-ant slave-making social-parasitism myrmicinae temperate-forest cavity-nesting brood-recognition chemical-ecology North-America
Vollenhovia
Vollenhovia is a genus of myrmicine ants distributed primarily in the Australasian and Oriental regions, with notable diversity in India, Sri Lanka, and East Asia. The genus contains species exhibiting remarkable reproductive strategies, including clonal reproduction by males (androgenesis) and queen polymorphism in wing morphology. At least one species, Vollenhovia nipponica, has evolved workerless social parasitism (inquilinism) on congeneric hosts. The genus serves as an important model system for studying the evolution of unusual caste determination, sex determination systems, and reproductive isolation mechanisms.
androgenesis thelytokous-parthenogenesis queen-polymorphism Wolbachia inquilinism social-parasitism reproductive-isolation clonal-reproduction wing-reduction