Subterranean-nesting

Guides

• 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.

  antsformicidaemyrmicinaecardiocondylainvasive-speciesmale-territorialitygenetic-diversitycryptic-speciesafrican-faunaintroduced-specieswingless-malesreproductive-behaviorpioneer-speciessubterranean-nesting