DOCSLIB.ORG

The Venom Apparatus and Other Morphological Characters of the Ant Martialis Heureka (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Martialinae)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Venom Apparatus and Other Morphological Characters of the Ant Martialis Heureka (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Martialinae) Volume 50(26):413‑423, 2010 The venom apparaTus and oTher morphological characTers of The anT Martialis heureka (hymenopTera, formicidae, marTialinae) carlos roberTo ferrreira brandão1,3 Jorge luis machado diniz2 rodrigo dos sanTos machado feiTosa1 AbstrAct We describe and illustrate the venom apparatus and other morphological characters of the recently described Martialis heureka ant worker, a supposedly specialized subterranean predator which could be the sole surviving representative of a highly divergent lineage that arose near the dawn of ant diversification. M. heureka was described as the single species of a genus in the subfamily, Martialinae Rabeling and Verhaagh, known from a single worker. However because the authors had available a unique specimen, dissections and scanning electron microscopy from coated specimens were not possible. We base our study on two worker individuals collected in Manaus, AM, Brazil in 1998 and maintained in 70% alcohol since then; the ants were partially destroyed because of desiccation during transport to São Paulo and subsequent efforts to rescue them from the vial. We were able to recover two left mandibles, two pronota, one dismembered fore coxa, one meso-metapropodeal complex with the median and hind coxae and trochanters still attached, one postpetiole, two gastric tergites, the pygidium and the almost complete venom apparatus (lacking the gonostylus and anal plate). We illustrate and describe the pieces, and compare M. heureka worker morphology with other basal ant subfamilies, concluding it does merit subfamilial status. Keywords: Ant phylogeny; Formicidae; Martialis; Ultrastructure; Venom Apparatus. IntroductIon dusk in a primary lowland rainforest walking on the leaf litter. The ant Martialis heureka was recently described The phylogenetic position of this ant was inferred by Rabeling and Verhaagh (in Rabeling et al. 2008) from several nuclear genes, sequenced from one front based on a single worker collected by Christian Ra‑ leg (Rabeling et al., 2008). On the basis of morphol‑ beling in Manaus (Embrapa Headquarters 02°53’S, ogy and phylogenetic evidence the authors suggested 59°59’W), Amazonas state, Brazil, 28 km of Highway this specialized subterranean predator is the sole sur‑ AM 010 in May 9, 2003. The specimen was found at viving representative of a highly divergent lineage that 1. Museu de Zoologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Caixa Postal 42.494, 04218‑970, São Paulo, SP, Brasil. 2. Campus Jataí, Unidade Jatobá, Laboratório de Hymenoptera Frei Kempf, Universidade Federal de Goiás, BR 364, km 192, nº 3.800, 75801‑615, Jataí, GO, Brasil. 3. Corresponding author, E‑mail address: [email protected]. 414 Brandão, C.R.F. et al.: Venom apparatus and morphology of Martialis heureka ant workers arose near the dawn of ant diversification. Accordingly MAterial And Methods they described it as a species of a monotypic genus in the subfamily Martialinae Rabeling and Verhaagh. Photographs taken under the MZSP scan‑ This very important ant was regrettably de‑ ning electron microscope (SEM) (LEO 440®) were scribed from a single worker, which thus did not allow used to record morphological details of M. heu- for a more detailed morphological study, for instance, reka workers. The recovered parts were previously under electron scanning microscope, and of the cleaned in acetone, critical‑point dried in a Balzer mouth parts or the venom apparatus. The M. heureka (Bal‑Tec® CPD 030), and sputtered over with gold holotype is deposited in Museu de Zoologia da Uni‑ (Bal‑Tec® SCD 050). After that, the fragments were versidade de São Paulo. Rabeling et al. (2008) briefly fixed on the stubs using silver glue. The images were mention that five years before the discovery of the obtained under several magnifications, according to holotype of M. heureka, two workers of the same spe‑ the size of the observed structure. Finally, the images cies were discovered by M. Verhaagh in a soil sample were edited (Adobe Photoshop CS2®) to enhance taken by the SHIFT‑project team under the guidance brightness and contrast. of Marcos Garcia (Embrapa, Manaus) in a different We studied also the sting apparatus of one of but nearby patch of primary rainforest from where the the fragmented specimens. The apparatus was cleared holotype came from. in NaOH for 12 hours, and then in lactophenol at Indeed, M. Verhaagh brought several ant samples 45‑50°C for 12 more hours (or longer if necessary), from Manaus to the Museu de Zoologia at that time, rinsing it twice in distilled water, and then transferred including the one with two M. heureka workers and to Hoyer’s fluid. After the clearing process, the sting several other ants found in the same spot. The label apparatus was dismembered, and soaked in Hoyer’s information found along with this sample says: “Flo. fluid for observation and illustration under optical Solo Berl. AN. 06, 02/09/1998, SHIFT 52, Manaus, light microscopes. The terms for sting apparatus mor‑ leg. M. Garcia et al.”, meaning forest soil submitted phology follow Kugler (1978) and Diniz (1997). to Berlese, sample 06, collection date September 02, 1998. SHIFT project 52. Manaus. M. Garcia et al. leg. Unfortunately, the vial which included the results M. heureka workers dried up during the trip from Karl‑ sruhe to São Paulo, because the lid opened. Brandão The fragments we were able to recover did not tried to recover the dried specimens by filling the vial allow for a complete reconstruction of a M. heureka with 70% alcohol and adding a drop of detergent; worker. Notwithstanding, we recuperated important even allowing for several days, the ants did not free pieces from the two individuals: two left mandibles, themselves from the vial walls and from the other ants two pronota, a dismembered fore coxa, one meso‑ that dried up with them. In a desperate move, he gen‑ metapropodeal complex with the right median and tly let the vial with the ants to come in contact with an hind coxae with the trochanters attached, and the left ultrasound apparatus, just to watch most ants in the median coxa with the trochanter, one postpetiole, one vial shatter into small pieces. He collected the pieces gastric tergite, the pygidium and the almost complete and kept them in 70% alcohol until now. This ant venom apparatus. From the original Automontage proved so important and interesting that we decided picture and description, it is possible to see that the to be worthwhile recovering the pieces and studying metasoma (abdominal segments IV‑VIII visible) is the different morphological aspects in detail, in order laterally compressed and drop shaped in lateral view to compare this ant to other formicid subfamilies. (Rabeling et al., 2008). Unfortunately, the pieces we were able to recov‑ The pictures (Figs. 1‑3) we show do not display er did not allow a full reconstruction of the M. heu- similar pilosity in comparison to the original Auto‑ reka workers, but we present here details of some montage pictures; summing our information with parts of the exoskeleton and of the complete venom that presented by Rabeling et al. (2008), we can say apparatus, aiming to stimulate future research on this that in general, pronotum and legs are densely covered spectacular ant. Finally we compared our observations with erect to suberect hairs and sparsely with longer with those of Ettershank (1966) and Gotwald (1969) erect setae, although most of the hairs were lost during on the mandibles, with Kugler’s (1978) records of SEM preparation. The scars, however, are perfectly vis‑ the venom apparatus, with the character coding em‑ ible under the SEM. Most hairs are erect, thin, flexu‑ ployed by Bolton (1990), Baroni Urbani et al. (1992), ous, and follow no definite direction. Dense appressed Astruc et al. (2004), and Brady & Ward (2005). pubescence is absent from entire body. Special features Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia, 50(26), 2010 415 of surface sculpture and hairs, when conspicuous, will of short suberect hairs (better seen in Automontage be described below, in the appropriate sections. pictures; Rabeling et al., 2008). The mandible is not cylindrical in cross section (Fig. 1A); the internal face of the mandible is almost Mandibles (Fig. 1) flat throughout its length, vertical, and bears oblique rugulae that arise from the ventral margin and gently As described in Rabeling et al. (2008), Martialis curve upwards, although never attaining the dorsal heureka worker mandibles are forceps‑like, slender, ex‑ margin (Fig. 1D). The mandibular base is triangu‑ tremely elongate, and even longer than the head cap‑ lar when seen from behind (Fig. 1B); the mandalus sule. The mandibles are inserted at the far lateral sides (MA) is also triangular, and, according to Ettershank of head. Mandibular pubescence is dense, consisting (1966) may contain the mandibular gland orifice; the FIgure 1: Electron micrographs of the left mandible of a Martialis heureka worker. A. Internal view of the whole mandible. b. Detail of mandibular base: CA, canthellus, GI, ginglymus, MA, mandalus, TR, trulleum. c. Detail of mandibular apical portion. d. Preapical teeth, showing, at left, the beginning of the two dorsal ridges and their teeth. 416 Brandão, C.R.F. et al.: Venom apparatus and morphology of Martialis heureka ant workers FIgure 2: Electron micrographs of the mesosoma and legs of a Martialis heureka worker. A. Pronotum in lateral view. b. Meso‑ metapropodeal complex with middle coxa and trochanter in profile. c. Detail of metapleural gland (MG) and propodeal spiracle openings (PS), and petiolar foramen (FR). d. Meso‑metapropodeal complex in dorsal view. e. Meso‑metapropodeal complex in ventral view. F. Detail of metacoxal cavity (MC), propodeal spiracle opening (PS), and petiolar foramen (FR). g. Fore coxa in profile. Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia, 50(26), 2010 417 trulleum (TR) is open and rather large; the canthellus the mandible is falcate (Fig.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • In Indonesian Grasslands with Special Focus on the Tropical Fire Ant, Solenopsis Geminata
    The Community Ecology of Ants (Formicidae) in Indonesian Grasslands with Special Focus on the Tropical Fire Ant, Solenopsis geminata. By Rebecca L. Sandidge A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management in the Graduate Division of the University of California, Berkeley Committee in charge: Professor Neil D. Tsutsui, Chair Professor Brian Fisher Professor Rosemary Gillespie Professor Ellen Simms Fall 2018 The Community Ecology of Ants (Formicidae) in Indonesian Grasslands with Special Focus on the Tropical Fire Ant, Solenopsis geminata. © 2018 By Rebecca L. Sandidge 1 Abstract The Community Ecology of Ants (Formicidae) in Indonesian Grasslands with Special Focus on the Tropical Fire Ant, Solenopsis geminata. by Rebecca L. Sandidge Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Science Policy and Management, Berkeley Professor Neil Tsutsui, Chair Invasive species and habitat destruction are considered to be the leading causes of biodiversity decline, signaling declining ecosystem health on a global scale. Ants (Formicidae) include some on the most widespread and impactful invasive species capable of establishing in high numbers in new habitats. The tropical grasslands of Indonesia are home to several invasive species of ants. Invasive ants are transported in shipped goods, causing many species to be of global concern. My dissertation explores ant communities in the grasslands of southeastern Indonesia. Communities are described for the first time with a special focus on the Tropical Fire Ant, Solenopsis geminata, which consumes grass seeds and can have negative ecological impacts in invaded areas. The first chapter describes grassland ant communities in both disturbed and undisturbed grasslands.
    [Show full text]
  • Newly Discovered Sister Lineage Sheds Light on Early Ant Evolution
    Newly discovered sister lineage sheds light on early ant evolution Christian Rabeling†‡§, Jeremy M. Brown†¶, and Manfred Verhaagh‡ †Section of Integrative Biology, and ¶Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Texas, 1 University Station C0930, Austin, TX 78712; and ‡Staatliches Museum fu¨r Naturkunde Karlsruhe, Erbprinzenstr. 13, D-76133 Karlsruhe, Germany Edited by Bert Ho¨lldobler, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, and approved August 4, 2008 (received for review June 27, 2008) Ants are the world’s most conspicuous and important eusocial insects and their diversity, abundance, and extreme behavioral specializations make them a model system for several disciplines within the biological sciences. Here, we report the discovery of a new ant that appears to represent the sister lineage to all extant ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). The phylogenetic position of this cryptic predator from the soils of the Amazon rainforest was inferred from several nuclear genes, sequenced from a single leg. Martialis heureka (gen. et sp. nov.) also constitutes the sole representative of a new, morphologically distinct subfamily of ants, the Martialinae (subfam. nov.). Our analyses have reduced the likelihood of long-branch attraction artifacts that have trou- bled previous phylogenetic studies of early-diverging ants and therefore solidify the emerging view that the most basal extant ant lineages are cryptic, hypogaeic foragers. On the basis of morpho- logical and phylogenetic evidence we suggest that these special- EVOLUTION ized subterranean predators are the sole surviving representatives of a highly divergent lineage that arose near the dawn of ant diversification and have persisted in ecologically stable environ- ments like tropical soils over great spans of time.
    [Show full text]
  • The Mesosomal Anatomy of Myrmecia Nigrocincta Workers and Evolutionary Transformations in Formicidae (Hymeno- Ptera)
    7719 (1): – 1 2019 © Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, 2019. The mesosomal anatomy of Myrmecia nigrocincta workers and evolutionary transformations in Formicidae (Hymeno- ptera) Si-Pei Liu, Adrian Richter, Alexander Stoessel & Rolf Georg Beutel* Institut für Zoologie und Evolutionsforschung, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany; Si-Pei Liu [[email protected]]; Adrian Richter [[email protected]]; Alexander Stößel [[email protected]]; Rolf Georg Beutel [[email protected]] — * Corresponding author Accepted on December 07, 2018. Published online at www.senckenberg.de/arthropod-systematics on May 17, 2019. Published in print on June 03, 2019. Editors in charge: Andy Sombke & Klaus-Dieter Klass. Abstract. The mesosomal skeletomuscular system of workers of Myrmecia nigrocincta was examined. A broad spectrum of methods was used, including micro-computed tomography combined with computer-based 3D reconstruction. An optimized combination of advanced techniques not only accelerates the acquisition of high quality anatomical data, but also facilitates a very detailed documentation and vi- sualization. This includes fne surface details, complex confgurations of sclerites, and also internal soft parts, for instance muscles with their precise insertion sites. Myrmeciinae have arguably retained a number of plesiomorphic mesosomal features, even though recent mo- lecular phylogenies do not place them close to the root of ants. Our mapping analyses based on previous morphological studies and recent phylogenies revealed few mesosomal apomorphies linking formicid subgroups. Only fve apomorphies were retrieved for the family, and interestingly three of them are missing in Myrmeciinae. Nevertheless, it is apparent that profound mesosomal transformations took place in the early evolution of ants, especially in the fightless workers.
    [Show full text]
  • Immediate Impacts of Invasion by Wasmannia Auropunctata (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on Native Litter Ant Fauna in a New Caledonian Rainforest
    Austral Ecology (2003) 28, 204–209 Immediate impacts of invasion by Wasmannia auropunctata (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on native litter ant fauna in a New Caledonian rainforest J. LE BRETON,1,2* J. CHAZEAU1 AND H. JOURDAN1,2 1Laboratoire de Zoologie Appliquée, Centre IRD de Nouméa, B.P. A5, 98948 Nouméa CEDEX, Nouvelle-Calédonie (Email: [email protected]) and 2Laboratoire d’Ecologie Terrestre, Université Toulouse III, Toulouse, France Abstract For the last 30 years, Wasmannia auropunctata (the little fire ant) has spread throughout the Pacific and represents a severe threat to fragile island habitats. This invader has often been described as a disturbance specialist. Here we present data on its spread in a dense native rainforest in New Caledonia. We monitored by pitfall trapping the litter ant fauna along an invasive gradient from the edge to the inner forest in July 1999 and March 2000. When W. auropunctata was present, the abundance and richness of native ants drops dramatically. In invaded plots, W. auropunctata represented more than 92% of all trapped ant fauna. Among the 23 native species described, only four cryptic species survived. Wasmannia auropunctata appears to be a highly competitive ant that dominates the litter by eliminating native ants. Mechanisms involved in this invasive success may include predation as well as competitive interactions (exploitation and interference). The invasive success of W. auropunctata is similar to that of other tramp ants and reinforces the idea of common evolutionary traits leading to higher competitiveness in a new environment. Key words: ant diversity, biological invasion, New Caledonia, Wasmannia auropunctata. INTRODUCTION This small myrmicine, recorded for the first time in New Caledonia in 1972 (Fabres & Brown 1978), has In the Pacific area, New Caledonia is recognized as a now invaded a wide array of habitats on the main unique biodiversity hot spot (Myers et al.
    [Show full text]
  • A Guide to the Ants of Sabangau
    A Guide to the Ants of Sabangau The Orangutan Tropical Peatland Project November 2014 A Guide to the Ants of Sabangau All original text, layout and illustrations are by Stijn Schreven (e-mail: [email protected]), supple- mented by quotations (with permission) from taxonomic revisions or monographs by Donat Agosti, Barry Bolton, Wolfgang Dorow, Katsuyuki Eguchi, Shingo Hosoishi, John LaPolla, Bernhard Seifert and Philip Ward. The guide was edited by Mark Harrison and Nicholas Marchant. All microscopic photography is from Antbase.net and AntWeb.org, with additional images from Andrew Walmsley Photography, Erik Frank, Stijn Schreven and Thea Powell. The project was devised by Mark Harrison and Eric Perlett, developed by Eric Perlett, and coordinated in the field by Nicholas Marchant. Sample identification, taxonomic research and fieldwork was by Stijn Schreven, Eric Perlett, Benjamin Jarrett, Fransiskus Agus Harsanto, Ari Purwanto and Abdul Azis. Front cover photo: Workers of Polyrhachis (Myrma) sp., photographer: Erik Frank/ OuTrop. Back cover photo: Sabangau forest, photographer: Stijn Schreven/ OuTrop. © 2014, The Orangutan Tropical Peatland Project. All rights reserved. Email [email protected] Website www.outrop.com Citation: Schreven SJJ, Perlett E, Jarrett BJM, Harsanto FA, Purwanto A, Azis A, Marchant NC, Harrison ME (2014). A Guide to the Ants of Sabangau. The Orangutan Tropical Peatland Project, Palangka Raya, Indonesia. The views expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of OuTrop’s partners or sponsors. The Orangutan Tropical Peatland Project is registered in the UK as a non-profit organisation (Company No. 06761511) and is supported by the Orangutan Tropical Peatland Trust (UK Registered Charity No.
    [Show full text]
  • Amazon Alive: a Decade of Discoveries 1999-2009
    Amazon Alive! A decade of discovery 1999-2009 The Amazon is the planet’s largest rainforest and river basin. It supports countless thousands of species, as well as 30 million people. © Brent Stirton / Getty Images / WWF-UK © Brent Stirton / Getty Images The Amazon is the largest rainforest on Earth. It’s famed for its unrivalled biological diversity, with wildlife that includes jaguars, river dolphins, manatees, giant otters, capybaras, harpy eagles, anacondas and piranhas. The many unique habitats in this globally significant region conceal a wealth of hidden species, which scientists continue to discover at an incredible rate. Between 1999 and 2009, at least 1,200 new species of plants and vertebrates have been discovered in the Amazon biome (see page 6 for a map showing the extent of the region that this spans). The new species include 637 plants, 257 fish, 216 amphibians, 55 reptiles, 16 birds and 39 mammals. In addition, thousands of new invertebrate species have been uncovered. Owing to the sheer number of the latter, these are not covered in detail by this report. This report has tried to be comprehensive in its listing of new plants and vertebrates described from the Amazon biome in the last decade. But for the largest groups of life on Earth, such as invertebrates, such lists do not exist – so the number of new species presented here is no doubt an underestimate. Cover image: Ranitomeya benedicta, new poison frog species © Evan Twomey amazon alive! i a decade of discovery 1999-2009 1 Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary, Foreword Convention on Biological Diversity The vital importance of the Amazon rainforest is very basic work on the natural history of the well known.
    [Show full text]
  • Digging Deeper Into the Ecology of Subterranean Ants: Diversity and Niche Partitioning Across Two Continents
    diversity Article Digging Deeper into the Ecology of Subterranean Ants: Diversity and Niche Partitioning across Two Continents Mickal Houadria * and Florian Menzel Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, Hanns-Dieter-Hüsch-Weg 15, 55128 Mainz, Germany; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: Soil fauna is generally understudied compared to above-ground arthropods, and ants are no exception. Here, we compared a primary and a secondary forest each on two continents using four different sampling methods. Winkler sampling, pitfalls, and four types of above- and below-ground baits (dead, crushed insects; melezitose; living termites; living mealworms/grasshoppers) were applied on four plots (4 × 4 grid points) on each site. Although less diverse than Winkler samples and pitfalls, subterranean baits provided a remarkable ant community. Our baiting system provided a large dataset to systematically quantify strata and dietary specialisation in tropical rainforest ants. Compared to above-ground baits, 10–28% of the species at subterranean baits were overall more common (or unique to) below ground, indicating a fauna that was truly specialised to this stratum. Species turnover was particularly high in the primary forests, both concerning above-ground and subterranean baits and between grid points within a site. This suggests that secondary forests are more impoverished, especially concerning their subterranean fauna. Although subterranean ants rarely displayed specific preferences for a bait type, they were in general more specialised than above-ground ants; this was true for entire communities, but also for the same species if they foraged in both strata. Citation: Houadria, M.; Menzel, F.
    [Show full text]
  • Ants of the Genus Lordomyrma Emery (2) the Japanese L. Azumai
    Zootaxa 3282: 45–60 (2012) ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition) www.mapress.com/zootaxa/ Article ZOOTAXA Copyright © 2012 · Magnolia Press ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition) Ants of the genus Lordomyrma Emery (2) The Japanese L. azumai (Santschi) and six new species from India, Viet Nam and the Philippines (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae) ROBERT W. TAYLOR Research School of Biological Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2600, Australia. Honorary Research Fellow, CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia. E-mail: [email protected] Abstract Lordomyrma is recorded for the first time from India and mainland southeast Asia. The Japanese L. azumai is reviewed and six new worker-based species described: L. lakshmi (Kerala State, India); L. hmong (Lao Cai Province, Vietnam); L. diwata, L. emarginata and L. idianale (Mt Isarog, Luzon, Philippines) and L. limatula (Leyte, Philippines). Gynes are characterized for L. azumai, L. hmong and L. limatula. All taxa are diagnosed, illustrated, and their affinities discussed. Key words: Ants, Formicidae, Lordomyrma, Stenamma, Lasiomyrma, taxonomy, new species, biogeography, Japan, Hon- shu, Shikoku, Kyushu, India, Kerala, Viet Nam, Lao Cai, Philippines, Luzon, Leyte, Mt Isarog Introduction This is the second paper (following Taylor, 2009) of a project seeking to review and name the many known undescribed morphospecies reasonably considered taxonomically congeneric with the somewhat aberrant ant Lordomyrma furcifera Emery (type-species of Lordomyrma Emery 1897) and its more conservative putative relative L. azumai (Santschi). The latter is arguably the least morphologically derived known Lordomyrma species (Taylor, 2009) and its characteristics may thus be very generally considered archetypal for the genus. In this analysis L.
    [Show full text]
  • Notes on the Ant-Mimic Genus Anatea Berland (Araneae: Theridiidae) and Two New Species from Tropical Australia
    © The Authors, 2017. Journal compilation © Australian Museum, Sydney, 2017 Records of the Australian Museum (2017) Vol. 69, issue number 1, pp. 1–13. ISSN 0067-1975 (print), ISSN 2201-4349 (online) https://doi.org/10.3853/j.2201-4349.69.2017.1672 Notes on the Ant-mimic Genus Anatea Berland (Araneae: Theridiidae) and Two New Species from Tropical Australia Helen M. Smith,1* Mark S. Harvey,2 Ingi Agnarsson3 and Gregory J. Anderson4 1 Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney NSW 2010, Australia 2 Department of Terrestrial Zoology, Western Australian Museum, Locked Bag 49, Welshpool DC WA 6986; School of Animal Biology, University of Western Australia WA 6009; School of Natural Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup WA 6009, Australia 3 University of Vermont, Department of Biology, 109 Carrigan Drive, Burlington, VT, 05405-0086; Department of Entomology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, United States of America 4 Iron Metabolism Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, 300 Herston Road, Herston QLD 4006, Australia Abstract. The taxonomic history of the New Caledonian myrmecomorph spider, Anatea formicaria Berland (Hadrotarsinae: Theridiidae) is summarized, new records are presented and the female is figured for the first time. Two new species provisionally assigned to the genus are described from north-eastern Australia, A. monteithi Smith sp. nov. and A. elongata Smith sp. nov. Some undescribed Anatea species occurring on New Caledonia are shown, and aspects of hadrotarsine anatomy and ant specialization are discussed. Keywords. Anatea formicaria; myrmecomorphy; myrmecophagy; New Caledonia; Queensland; taxonomy Smith, Helen M., Mark S. Harvey, Ingi Agnarsson, and Gregory J.
    [Show full text]
  • Stings of Some Species of Lordomynna and Mayriella (Formicidae: Myrmicinae)
    INSECTA MUNDI, Vol. 11, Nos. 3-4, September-December, 1997 193 Stings of some species of Lordomynna and Mayriella (Formicidae: Myrmicinae) Charles Kugler Biology Department, Radford University, Radford, VA 24142 Abstract: The sting apparatus and pygidium are described for eight of20 Lordomyrma species and one of five Mayriella species. The apparatus of L. epinotaiis is distinctly different from that of other Lordomyrma species. Comparisons with other genera suggest affinities of species of Lordomymw to species of Cyphoidris and Lachnomyrmex, while Mayriella abstinens Forel shares unusual features with those of P/'Oattct butteli. Introduction into two halves and a separate sting. The stings were mounted in glycerin jelly for ease of precise This paper describes the sting apparatus in positioning and repositioning for different views. eight species of Lordomyrma that were once mem- The other sclerites were usually mounted in Cana- bers of four different genera. The stings of five da balsam. Lordomyrma species were partially described by Voucher specimens identified with the label Kugler (1978), but at the time three were consid- "Kugler 1995 Dissection voucher" or "Voucher spec- ered to be in the genus Prodicroaspis or Promera­ imen, Kugler study 1976" are deposited in the noplus (Promeranoplus rouxi Emery, one an unde- Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Mas- termined species of Promeranoplus, and Prodi­ sachusetts. croaspis sarasini Emery). These genera are now Most preparations were drawn and measured considered synonyms of Lordomyrma (Bolldobler using a Zeiss KF-2 phase contrast microscope with and Wilson 1990, p. 14; Bolton 1994, p. 106). In an ocular grid. Accuracy is estimated at plus or addi tion, during a revision of Rogeria (Kugler 1994) minus O.OOlmm at 400X magnification.
    [Show full text]
  • THE TRUE ARMY ANTS of the INDO-AUSTRALIAN AREA (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Dorylinae)
    Pacific Insects 6 (3) : 427483 November 10, 1964 THE TRUE ARMY ANTS OF THE INDO-AUSTRALIAN AREA (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Dorylinae) By Edward O. Wilson BIOLOGICAL LABORATORIES, HARVARD UNIVERSITY, CAMBRIDGE, MASS., U. S. A. Abstract: All of the known Indo-Australian species of Dorylinae, 4 in Dorylus and 34 in Aenictus, are included in this revision. Eight of the Aenictus species are described as new: artipus, chapmani, doryloides, exilis, huonicus, nganduensis, philiporum and schneirlai. Phylo­ genetic and numerical analyses resulted in the discarding of two extant subgenera of Aenictus (Typhlatta and Paraenictus) and the loose clustering of the species into 5 informal " groups" within the unified genus Aenictus. A consistency test for phylogenetic characters is discussed. The African and Indo-Australian doryline species are compared, and available information in the biology of the Indo-Australian species is summarized. The " true " army ants are defined here as equivalent to the subfamily Dorylinae. Not included are species of Ponerinae which have developed legionary behavior independently (see Wilson, E. O., 1958, Evolution 12: 24-31) or the subfamily Leptanillinae, which is very distinct and may be independent in origin. The Dorylinae are not as well developed in the Indo-Australian area as in Africa and the New World tropics. Dorylus itself, which includes the famous driver ants, is centered in Africa and sends only four species into tropical Asia. Of these, the most widespread reaches only to Java and the Celebes. Aenictus, on the other hand, is at least as strongly developed in tropical Asia and New Guinea as it is in Africa, with 34 species being known from the former regions and only about 15 from Africa.
    [Show full text]
  • Borowiec Et Al-2020 Ants – Phylogeny and Classification
    A Ants: Phylogeny and 1758 when the Swedish botanist Carl von Linné Classification published the tenth edition of his catalog of all plant and animal species known at the time. Marek L. Borowiec1, Corrie S. Moreau2 and Among the approximately 4,200 animals that he Christian Rabeling3 included were 17 species of ants. The succeeding 1University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA two and a half centuries have seen tremendous 2Departments of Entomology and Ecology & progress in the theory and practice of biological Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, classification. Here we provide a summary of the NY, USA current state of phylogenetic and systematic 3Social Insect Research Group, Arizona State research on the ants. University, Tempe, AZ, USA Ants Within the Hymenoptera Tree of Ants are the most ubiquitous and ecologically Life dominant insects on the face of our Earth. This is believed to be due in large part to the cooperation Ants belong to the order Hymenoptera, which also allowed by their sociality. At the time of writing, includes wasps and bees. ▶ Eusociality, or true about 13,500 ant species are described and sociality, evolved multiple times within the named, classified into 334 genera that make up order, with ants as by far the most widespread, 17 subfamilies (Fig. 1). This diversity makes the abundant, and species-rich lineage of eusocial ants the world’s by far the most speciose group of animals. Within the Hymenoptera, ants are part eusocial insects, but ants are not only diverse in of the ▶ Aculeata, the clade in which the ovipos- terms of numbers of species.
    [Show full text]