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Center for Systematic Entomology, Gainesville, Insecta Mundi

December 1986

A North Florida Fauna (: Formicidae)

Clifford Johnson University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida

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Johnson, Clifford, "A North Florida Ant Fauna (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)" (1986). Insecta Mundi. 512. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/insectamundi/512

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Center for Systematic Entomology, Gainesville, Florida at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Insecta Mundi by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Vol. 1, no. 4, December 1986 INSECTA MUNDI 243 AlOOglIi-mF- (@-wt- t ~~ddse)

Clifford Johnson Ikpammt of Zoology uni~rsityof Florida Gainesvflle, FL 32611 llnmDumON texma carolWis ad h ,ddam, a form originally considered as a subspecies of A. texana, as occurring in This paper updates and surmarizes the ant fauna of Florida. The earlier naPes of A. t. silvestrii and A. t. Alachua County, Florida, with two basic objectives. 'Ihe nana, also cited for Florida, are deleted. Creighton first objective is presentation of a current, -ted (1950) suggested scme taxa in were based check-list consistent with existing and an on the descriptions of mini- specimens and may be insight on species groups where taxonanic charges are invalid. Noting this variability, Carroll was unable to likely in subsequent revisions. Ihe seccnd objective find satisfactory differences between specimens thought seeks to identify changes in the fauna since Van Pelt's to represent both A. mianiana and A. t. carolinensis. pioneer survey of 1948, and provide a basis for similar He ccxlcluded the two forms were conspecific but did cite c4mparisons in the future. differences betwen A. t. texana, a western form, and A. t carol-is indicating distinct species were invol- The ccunty consists of 902 square miles in northcen- ved. He wuld thus assign all Florida material in the tral Florida and &races essentially all inland habi- camplex to the naw A caroliparsia My collecting expe- tats of the northern peninsula. This rich habitat varia- rience and specimens I have been able to study are bility is reflected in its ant fauna of 110 species. Few consistent with this view. Publication of the Carroll other regions of canparable size and latitude support a thesis appears unlikely and I depart fmn the practice larger ant diversity also d-ted in part for greater of fol lawlng only published studies by listing a11 ap than 50 years. A review of the earlier work, current propriate specimens as A. carolinensis. I hope a revi- taxonomic authorities, and quest ionable or rejected sion of will examine this nratter in justi- records precede the new list. fiable depth.

EARLIER SIUDIES Ihe trea-t of Solenopsis 6Xplarhoptna) aust also consider the unplblished Thompson thesis. That study W. M. Wheeler (1932) was the first writer to specifi- fwd the following species in Alachua Gnmty: Solenop- cally treat Alachua County . Sixteen years later, sis picta, S. pergandei, S. nickersoni, and two groups Van Pelt (1948) published the results of an intensive thought by 'Ihnpson to each include two to three spe- collecting effort in the region and reported 49 species cies. be of these groups includes S. tennessensis and as currently recognized. Van Pelt mentions two addi- possibly two undescribed species. All specimens I have tional Alachua Cmty records in his 1950 thesis dealing studied appear to be conspecific and consistent with the with the ants of the Welaka Reserve. The imported fire characters of S. tennessensis. Ihe second group is re- ant, Solenopeis iavicta, was probably established in the lated to S. nmlesta, a form described by Say in 1836. county by the mid 1950s though the date of initial Many Dipl- spechum over a wide geogra&ic area recognition in the literature is lost in the walth of have been reported under that naue; howver, studies addressed to that species. kjcik etc (1975) gives good reason to believe these specimens are not and Buren etc (1975) reported Pheidole mDerens and a conspecific Say's type specks are lost and his de- Con- species currently nsrmed insma respectively. scription does not give sufficient detail for clear Subsequent studies, addressed to specific genera, have recognition. llmpscm concluded that nost Florida speci- greatly expanded cur knowledge. 'Ihe first work was J. F. nms are S, carolinensis, a species described by Fore1 Carroll's 1975 thesis on the Florida species of Ad\aem in 1901. Otherwise an undescribed species and psibly gaster. Unfortunately, this study remains unpublished. S. texrma were thcu&t to canpse the Florida umbers of C A. Ihanpsm's 1980 thesis on Solenopsis (Diplorhop- the S. moleata canplex. I have seen a large &r of trim) species of Florida included a large amount of specimens £ran mmy habitats representing this group and Alachua County material. Most of that study also remains can see no evidence of more than one species. I follcw unpublished; haever, llmpson (1982) recognized a new Zhampson in assigning the naw of S. carolinensis to species that is part of the fauna covered here. Trager these specimens. The five species in this difficult (19841, Naves (19851, Ward (19851, and DuBois (1986) group are distinct using this conservative treatment and recently published taxonondc revisions of Pacatre&na, the variations can await future revisions. PMQle, Fm&ck+ and Mumdm respectively, and each study makes significant contribution to the Florida ?he list follows the recent studies cited above on fauna. Pamtm&m, RPidole, Pseudv, and Manomoriua withcut chmge. Bolton (1977) has clarified Tetramorim taxonany and the species earlier cited as T. guineense ?he nanclature used in this list follows the cur- is actually T. bicarinatm Ihe 1979 catolog lists the rent catalog of the Formicidae (Smith, 1979) modified north Florida adcntamecfue specinensas inaularis; how- with the following exceptions. The treatuent of speci- ever, Brown (1976) showed the correct name for these rims in the Aphaenogaster texana canplex rests in part ants was Q brumeus I use the name Ochetc~rum cm data and conclusions given in Carroll's above-- punctata to conform with the 1979 catalog; however, tioned thesis. The 1979 catalog recognizes -ter reassig~mentof the species to is likely. INSECTA MUNDI Vol. 1, no. 4, December 1986

In addition, revisions in progress will affect the the list. taxarmy of ants in this fauna and the follawing notes alert the reader to the groups involved. J. C. Trager is Van Pelt's 1948 paper was based on a thesis of the continuing the late W. F. Buren's study of the south- preceding year wherein detailed collecting informtion eastern boqmmspecies. 'Ihe naues of both C. f lavo- was included; hatlever, the thesis makes no mtion of a pecta and C. insana will change and a previously unde- Dolichaderus species. The specimens may have been col- scribed species existing in the country will be recog- lected just shortly before the 1948 publication but no nized. Ihe above nams will, haever, be used here along specinens sere found in his collection, and no authority with Carcrprma species A, and the reader can make appro- was given for the determination. I conclude the record priate changes when the names are available. J. C. was D. mariae known to occur in the region. Pheidole Trager also has unpblished data indicating Leptogenp f lmidana was also reported in Alachua Cumty by Wojcik el- mmi is a distinct species. etc. (1975); however, Naves (1985) distinguishes the species fran P. anastasii notfng the latter form only lko campmotus forms, existing as distinct species occurs in north Florida. with confused tawncmies, occur in the county. he fom has attributes of C. racilis, a name now synonymized with G sayi. Ihe other ant has C pavidua attributes, but this nam is now in synonymy with C. nearcticus, and Tw documentations are given for each species where W. M. Wlerearlier considered C. pavidus as a variety possible. A collection housing Alachua County specimens of C rdlie; see citations in 1979 catalog. and a published report of such material appear for mst nearctiqm and both of these form coexist in Alachua species. Additional docunentation cculd be cited for the County. Suitable naues are as yet unavailable and I list majority of species. Ihe five species mentioned above the rasilis- like form and the pevi&s-l ike form as Ch- having only literature reference and unreported species poaohm species A and B respectively. Finally, color represented in collections canplete the list. The C. races in -togaster nnhrpndl, and variation in pilos- Johnson and J. C Trager collections cited rimy places ity in specimens 1isted as Bra&-x depilis may in the list will beme part of the Florida State Col- receive tawncnric recognition. lection of . 'Ihe species are arranged by sub- families aoitting tribe rams. The sequence of genera follows Snith (1979) and s cies within a a-r al#ubetically. 'Ihe nunbed following each species docmt its Alachua County distribution using sources Five species taken by a single collector and not tabulated belaw. Ihe following citations and collections docuu?nted by existing specimens are retained in the are &r-coded for their entry into the species list. list and a short explanation is appropriate. W. M. Wheeler (1932) reported the northern species Ponera pemrsylvanica. The species has been recently collected W. M. Wheeler (1932) .. 1 J. C. Trager and C. Johnson south of Alachua Cumty in Lake and Marion Cumties and, A. Van Pelt (1947) .... 2 (1985) ...... 11 is know to be uncumm and spotty in occurrence near A. Van Pelt (1950,1958) 3 J. Watkins (per. can.) .. 12 the margins of its distributicn, bler and Wler E. 0. Wilson (1955) .. . 4 J. C. Trager Collecticn . 13 (1%3). Van Pelt (1948) reprted Leptothorax bradleyi J. F. Carroll (1975) .. 5 C. Johnson Collection .. . 14 and Xeaqmex fl-, but, unfortunately, the spe- C. A. Thpm (1980) . 6 Archbold Biological Station cimens sere not found in the Van Pelt collection. In his C. A. 'Ihmpson (1982) . 7 Collection ...... 15 thesis, he states that Marion R Wth identified these J. C. Trager (1984) .. . 8 Florida State Collection species and the latter form was not mcamun on sweetgun P. S. Ward (1985) .. . . . 9 of Arthropods ...... 16 trees. Sndth was a wll-recognized authority on ants and M. A. Naves (1985) .. . 10 I jud~his determinations wrrthy of recognition. Van Pelt 1958) reported Leptothorax wheeleri. 'Ihe species is hum both north and south of Alachua mty and the SPECIES LIsr report is accepted. 'Ihe fifth undoammted species is Aphaemgaster fled.@ reported by Carroll (1975) in DORlLINAE (3 species) xeric hardwDod forest. The species is not mc- today in similar habitats along Florida's east coast and I Ndv- camlinenets (bry 1894) 14; Neiv~ia accept Carrol 1's report. opecithomx (bry 1894) 12, 13; Neivi- texam@ Watkins 1972 12, 13. The earlier studies include remrkab ly few cases where ndsdeterndnations are clearly suggested. Wheeler (1932) FCNlUME (11 species) reported Iridamgrmex humilis on the basis of a single specimen. Van Pelt (19481, following M. R Snith, con- kdlgpone pellips (Haldernan 1844) 13, 14; Proaeratiu cluded the identification was in error and as no further pergmki (Wry 1895) 16; Proceratiun silacam Roger specimens have been found near the county, the same 1863 13; Mscothyrea testacea Roger 1863 14; Crypto- cmclusion is folld here. Van Pelt (1948) reported pane gilva (Roger 1863) 2, 14; Panera pennsylvanica -ogaster laeviu~cula,DolichDderus plagiatus, and Buckley 1866 1; Rypopowra opaciceps (Mayr 1887) 2, Pheidole floridana. 'Ihe taxdlcmy of Crematogaster in 14; Hgpaplnera opecior (Fore1 1893) 2, 14; Hypopamra 1948 was largely dified by Buren (1968). Specimens wima(Roger 1859) 14, 15; lepCogeags el- listed as C. laeviuscula in Van Pelt's collection, naw tus mami %ler 1923 2, 14; Odantomacb bnnmw in the Florida State Collection of Arthropods, Depart- (Patton 1894) 2, 14. mnt of Plant Industry, Gainesville, are consistent with C. clara as delimited by Buren (1968). Buren notes that PSEUDCmRMECINAE (5 species) no records of the true C laevimcula were hown east of the Mississippi River. 'Ihe species is thus deleted fran Pseudmyrmex ejectus F. Smith 1858 9,14; Pseudaqmex Vol. 1, no. 4, December 1986 INSECTA MUNDI 245

1- Ward 1985 9, 14; uedwbger 2, 13; Campomtus pemsylvanicus (DeGeer 1773) 14; 1863 9, 14; pellib F. Smith 1885 9, 14; Gqxumm ~0ci.wRoger 1863 2, 14; Campomtue spe- Peeudcmgrmex wdmle Ward 1985 9, 14. cies A 13; species B 13, 14; Iasius alkmm (Foerster 1850) 4, 14; Lasius neoaiger Fnery 1893 13, MBMCINAE (60 species) 14; Paratrechina armivaga (Wlheeler 1905) 8, 14; Parrr trechiPa badmica (Forel 1886) 8, 13; Pamtm%m R- R- badius (Iatreille 1802) 2, 14; aPacima Trager 1984 8, 13; hisamaia ter astEadi (Briery 18951, 2, 14; em (Forel 1922) 8, 14; Para- la@mmia(latreil- lirrenais lilheeler 1915 5, 14; -ter £1- M. le 1802) 8, 13; Paratrechina parvula (Mayr 1870) 8, R Mth 1928 5; Apbaenogaster £ loridana M. R Smith 14; ParatrechiPe phmmmm Trager 1984 8, 13; Panme- 1941 2, 14; Aphanogaster fulva Roger 1863 5, 14; china vividula (Nylander 1846) 8, 14; Paratrechina lamellidme Mayr 1886 2, 14; A&mmp- wojciki Trager 1984 8, 14; Renolepis imparis (Say ter h.8atae Fore1 1886 5, 14; PheiQle adriami Naves 1836) 2, 14; Formica archboldi M. R Smith 1944 13, 1985 10, 14; Pheidole anastasii Emery 1896 2, 14; 14; Foxmica pelli&£ulva Iatreille 1802 2, 14; FormLca Pheidole carrolli Navas 1985 10, 16; PheiQle ~zrssi- edmfmwi &lma Wlheeler 1904 2, 13; RD1- luei- cornis hry1895 10, 14; Pheidole dentata Mayr 1886 dus longicornis M. R Smith 1947 11, 14. 2, 14; Pheidole datigula M. R Smith 1927 13, 14; Pbeidole eta1lesam hry1895 2, 14; RPidole moe- DISCUSSION reus kler1908 13, 14; Roidole mmisi Forel 1886 2, 14; Cardiocondyla emeryi Fore1 1881 2, 14; Cardi- Ihe species diversity wi11 doubt less ly increase scme- condgla nuda (Mayr 1866) 2, 14; -la vralgb- what with future work; hawever, the main patterns in the taoi fo or el 1890) 13, 14; Mayr faunal ccmposition are now recognizable. Both temperate 1886 2, 14; Cr-togaster atkinsoni kheeler 1919 14; and subtropical grcups coexist in the region and a few -ter clam Mayr 1870 13, 14; -ter of these species have very likely colonized the area lineolata (say 1836) 2, 14; ndnaissM since 1948. Sixty-are species or 55.45 per cent of the Mayr 1870 2, 14; Mogeeter wzmimlata Bnery 1895 110 species -re not present in Van Pelt's 1948 list. A 14; DuBois 1986 13, 14; -1~ large part of these new records compose the small, viriditm Brown 1943 13, 14; (Lin- litter-dwelling species and Van Pelt did not operate naeus 1758) 2, 13; 7- £1- Wry 1895 2; litter extractions to obtain this part of the fama. Solempsis -1-is Forel 1901 6, 14; Solempi8 invicta Buren 1972 13, 14; Solempeis (~abri- F'ran the litter species, Stndgenys silvestyrii is cius 1804) 2, 14; Solenopsis globularia littoralis here reported for the first time in Florida and only the Creighton 1930 2, 14; Solenopsis nickersmi semd tine in the crmtinental . Std- 1982 7, 14; Solenopsis pergandei Fore 1 1901 6, 14; gmy wi and PLnhopalothrix £1- *re pre- Solempsis picta Fmergy 1895 6, 14; Solempda tapes- vicusly laom only fmm the mre tropical southern third seensis M. R Nth 1942 6, 14; Leptothorax bradleyi of the peninsula 'Ihe two above StmdgeUpS species are Wlheeler 1913 2; Leptothorax pergandei hery 1895 2, probably recent colonizers as they are associated with 14; Leptothorax texamm davisi Wlheeler 1905 13, 14; habitats where exotic plants have been established in rprltachoraa wheeled Mth 1929 3; miaa aaericaae recent years. ELnfPpelothrix £lorickma lives in a varie- Fm 1895 3, 14; Tetranmrium bicarinatum (Nylander ty of natural habitats and may have occupied the area 18476 2, 13; RPaiusindlliam (F. Mth 1891) 2, for many years. All seven species of Sdthistnma are 13; Ochetmpess auropnctata (RDger 1863) 14; &nd- missing from Van Pelt's list though they were most genps vihry 1890 14; Stnadgslga lads- likely here in 1948 as -11 as other litter ants such as Roger 1863 2, 14; Strumigenys silvestrii hry 1905 Maaotfryree testacee wd the slnaller Solempsis species. 14; Smithistruma bunki Brawn 1950 14; Smithistruma carolinensis Brown 1964 14; !hithist- cl Very little evidence points to a loss of species (Roger 1863) 13, 14; Smithistnma dietrichi??: previously occupying the region. 'Ihe records of Ponera Mth 1931) 14; Smithistnma ohioensis (Kennedy and aprrlwlvarica and IepCoCborarr bradleyi have been men- Schnmrn 1933) 14; Smithistnma ornata (Mayr 1887) 13, tioned above. 'Rre erratic distribution of the Ponera 14; %&hismm talp (Weber 1934) 13, 14; Mchosca- species near its range limit suggests it was never pa &ranifera (bry 1869) 13, 14; Eurhopalothrix atnmdant here and is likely still extant in sane loca- floridana Bmand Kanpf 1960 13, 14; lized sites. Leptothorax bradleyi is a rare species in rimosue (Spinola 1853) 13, 14; Traeh- septa- all collecticms and its preferred habitat :at The trionalis (McCook 1880) 2, 14. single record of £1- in Alachua Cam- ty given in Carroll's thesis and its absence in Van Pelt D(X,Im(6 species) (1948) points also to a species never connun in this fauna. 'Ihe case of Xzmqmex £1- is the strcngest Dolichoderus rariae Fore 1 1884 13, 14; Iridollprmcx likelihood of a true loss to the fauna Very cold winter (Roger 1863) 2, 14; Crxmynm flavapecta (M. freezes have occurred in the area since 1948 and this R Smith 1944) 13, 14; Gmw~insarm (Buckley 1866) tropical artareal species may wll have lost its nor- U, 14; Coaomgraa species A 13, 14; sessile them colonies. Paratrechina phantasm has only been (Say 1836) 2, 14. collected once in the ccunty. This area is the norther- most locality for that species and its continued pre- (25 species) sence is uncertain.

depilis bry1893 2, 14; gbdO- Wile Van Pelt passed over the -1 ler litter fauna, minalis £ loridanus (Buckley 1866) 2, 14; CamptmoM it is mlikely that he missed larger species occupying casm(Latreille 1802) 2, 14; habitats he regularly investigated. For instance, I (Roger 1863) 2, 14; Camponotus nearcticus kry 1893 judge that (Ww-x mu, 'A MUNDI Vol. 1, no. 4, December 1986

ta, Pae- lPJd-, and Mle wuld Mixed nests of Co-I insana and C f lavopecta - have been taken by Van Pelt's wl lecting methods.- Their Evidence of parasitism (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). absence £ran his list is a st- case for their recent Psyche 82:306-314. colonization. Formica archboldi, also missing in Van Carroll, J. F. 1975. Biology and ecology of ants of the Pelt's work, is likewise puzzling as the species is genus Aphaenogaster in Florida. PhD. thesis. Mver- present today in several sites throughout the camtry. sity of Florida, Gainesville. Solempeis in* reached the area also after 1948 and Creigtrtw W. S. 1950. 'Ihe ants of North America Bull. the above observations shaw no evidence exists for the Mu& Cap Zool. 104:l-585. imported fire ant having evicted any species of our -is, M. B. 1986. A revision of the native new mid native ant fauna. In fact, the fau~more likely in- species of the ant genus Ha~a~riu(Pininam group) creased in this period. Of course, relative atamdance (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Univ. Kansas Sci. Bull. and habitat usage may have chaw@. 53:65-119. Naves, M. A 1985. A nungraph of the genus Pheidole in Another feature of the fauna worthy of note is the Florida (Hymnoptera: Forndcidae). Insecta Mundi 1:53- series of amgeneric species groups. Nine species of 90. both Rpidole and Paratrechfia 8 species of Soleoopeh, Smith, D. R 1979. Superfimdly Fomiwidea. In Catalog including all subgenera, 7 species of -ter and of Hymnoptera in America north of Meld- Eds. Krur a&-4 and 6 species each of and Cke bein, K. V., P. D. Hurd, Jr., D. R Smith, and B. D. matogaster exist within the fama. Wis assemblage of- Burks. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D. fers excellent opportunity for ecological studies on C., p. 1323-1467. coedsting, amgeneric ants. Thompson, C. R 1980. Solenopsis (Mplorhoptd (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Florida. Ph.D. thesis. Finally, the author regrets the uncertainty in species University of Florida, Cainesvi 1le. recog~litionassociated with Mplorhoptnm and cases . 1982 A new Solempeis Wpl- where species must be named A or B. I hope revisions species from Florida (Hp: Formicidae). J. Kansas will qmve these problem in the near future. ht. Soc 55:485-488. Trager, J. C 1984. A revision of the genus Paratrechina (ymr?noptera: Formicidae) of the continental United States. Sociobiology 9251-162. Dr. James C. Trager, University of Florida, and Dr. Trager, J. C and C Johnson. 1985. A slave-making ant Mark Deyrup, Atchbold Biological Station, have both in Florida: RDlwlucidue With observations on the given helpful caments on the developllent of this list. natural history of its host Formica archboldi (lip?- J. C Trager has also kindly shared his literature on noptera: Formicidae). Florida Ent. 68:261-266. ant tawromy. Dr. J. C Nickerson, Florida Division of Van Pelt, A. 1948. A prelindnary key to the mrker ants Plant Industry, has been exceptionally helpful in pro- of Alachua Cumty, Florida. Florida Ent. 30:57-67. viding facilities for studying the Van Pelt Collection. . 1950. Ecology of the ants of the hklaka The Alachua County Chamber of Camoerce provided the Reserve, Florida (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Ph.D. county's square mile area. thesis. University of Florida, Gainesville. . 1958. The ecology of the ants of the We laka Reserve, Florida (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Part 11. Annotated List. her. Midl. Nat . 59: 1-57. Bolton, B. 1977. l[he ant tribe Tetramriini (Hymmp- Ward, P. S. 1985. The Nearctic species of the genus tera: Fomicidae). The genus Tetrmriu Mayr in the Pseudonvmex (Hvmeno~tera: Formicidae). (Xlestianes Oriental and Indo-Australian regions, and in Austra- lia. Bull. British Mus. Nat. Hist. (Ent.) 36:67-151. Wler, M. 1932 A list of the ants of Florida, with Bm, Jr. W. L 1976. Contributiars towards a reclassi- descriptions of new forme. J. New York Ent. Soc 40:l- fication of the Forndcidae. Part VL Ponerinae, Wibe 17. Ponerini. Subtribe Odantanachiti.Section A Introduc- Wheeler, G. C. and J. Wheeler. 1963. The ants of North tion, Subtribal kacters. Genus Odoatamechus. Studa Dakota. Univ. North Dakota Press, Grand Forks. 326 pp, ht. 19:67-171. Wilson, E. 0. 1955. A monographic revision of the ant Buren, W. F. 1%8. A review of the species of Cremmto- genus Lasiue. Bull. Mus. Canp Zool. 113:l-119. gaster, sensu atricto, in North America (Hymnoptera, Wojcik, D. P., W. A Banks, and W. F. Buren. 1975. First Formicidae) Part IL Descriptions of new species. J. report of Pheidole amerens in Florida ~~ptera: Georgia Ent. Soc 3:91-121. Formicidae). U.S.D.A. Coop. Econ. Ins. Rpt. 25(49- Buren, W. F., J. C. Nickerson, and C. R Thompson. 1975. 52):906.