Identification Guide To The Ant Genera of Borneo
Identification Guide To The Ant Genera of Borneo
Identification Guide To The Ant Genera of Borneo
GENERA OF BORNEO
Yoshiaki HASHIMOTO
Introduction
Ants are one of the most abundant and diverse animal groups in tropical ecosystems (Stork, 1987, 1991),
and they function at many levels in these ecosystems - as predators and prey, as detritivores, mutualists, and
herbivores (Hölldobler and Wilson, 1990). Thus, ants have the potential to yield more meaningful biodiversity
data than many other organisms, such as plants, birds, and butterflies. Moreover, since most species have
stationary, perennial nests with fairly restricted foraging ranges, ants have a potential role as indicators of
environmental change. Because of the potential usefulness, inventory of ants has been viewed as an important
task in tropical biodiversity and conservation studies (Agosti et al., 2000).
The most difficult part of ant inventory in tropical region is identification process. Inventory data are usually
analyzed by relying on the presence or absence of species. However, identification of tropical ant specimens
to species will be very difficult or impossible, because most groups of the ants have yet to be studied in
detail. This difficulty makes the recognition of morphospecies a necessary part of inventory studies for ants
(Agosti et al., 2000).
The identifying ants to genus-level are not impossible, because excellent identification-key to ant genera of
the all parts of the world is available in Bolton (1994). Thus, for sorting ant specimens into morphospecies,
they should be identified to genus (i.e., “ Ant species 1 and species 2” to “Aenictus sp. 1 and Camponotus
sp.1”). This makes it easy to handle and analyze the data. Furthermore, ecological information, such as food
habits, nest-site preference, colony size, etc., is provided to many genera (Hölldobler and Wilson, 1990).
Thus identifying ants to genus-level can provide useful information on environmental monitoring,
conservation evaluation, and ecological research.
However, the key of Bolton (1994) is technical, and requires some knowledge of taxonomic descriptions.
For no-taxonomist, a more user-friendly and pictorial identification key to ant genera is need. Furthermore,
for local inventory the regional identification key may be more convenient, because only a subset of the
genera is found in each geographic region. In this chapter, therefore, I provide a pictorial identification key
to Bornean ant genera.
Before attempting to identify an ant specimen, knowledge of the specimen mounting technique and the
external anatomy must be confirmed. The chapter also provides instruction of the mounting techniques and
glossary of ant morphology terms.
Borneo has tropical rain forests with the richest plant diversity in the world. This is one of reason why the
island has very diverse and unique ant fauna. Ant fauna in Borneo, especially in the canopy of tropical rain
forests, has yet to be studied in detail. As the ant inventory are completed, many additional or new genera
and species should be found from Borneo.
In some case specimen may not identified certainly. When this happens, you try to use Bolton’s key (1994).
The illustrations provided here should help you to understand the taxonomic descriptions in the key.
1) Pinning Specimens
Commonly used specimen mounting tools
Insect specimens are mounted on pins so that they may include a pinning block, forcep, pins, points, glue.
be handled and examined with the greatest convenience.
Therefore, for identification and taxonomic study, pinning specimens should be used. Fig. 1 shows typical
tools needed to make pinning specimens.
Ants are usually too small to be pinned directly, and so should be pinned as double mounts, i.e., the
specimen is glued to a card point and the point is pinned through the broad end with a No. 3 insect pin
(Fig. 2). Card points are slender little triangles of stiff paper, which are cut from a strip of paper (they should
be no more than 10 mm long and 5 mm wide). The choice of good quality paper for card points is important
to prevent the specimen from working lose and rotating on the pin. To mount the specimens on card points,
white glue is used commonly. Touch the tip of the point to the glue, and then the point is attached to the
platform formed by the middle and hind coxae, inserting the point from the right side. Only a small amount
of glue should be used, since excessive glue may obscure certain structures necessary for identification. The
height of the card point on the pin will depend somewhat on specimen size, but enough of the pin should
always be exposed above it to be grasped without the fingers touching and possibly damaging the specimen.
Good height may be obtained by using the pinning block.
Fig. 3 illustrates some right and wrong examples for mounting specimen. In well-mounted specimen, the
side of the alitrunk, the dorsal profile, and the dorsal and ventral margins of the petiole are clearly visible
(Fig. 3A). Otherwise, in poorly-mounted specimen, the legs are projecting upward, obscuring the dorsal
profile and the petiole (Fig. 3B). In ants, the area around the alitrunk and petiole bear many identification
characters, and therefore the parts of the body should be free for easy examination. The head is also important
area for identification. It is advisable to push upward a pair of antennae, so that they do not obscure the
head (Fig. 3C). In many genera, the palp formula and mandibular dentition are diagnostic characters. One
or more specimens in a series should have the mandibles opened and the mouthparts everted prior to
mounting. It is somewhat troublesome and time-consuming work to make good mounted specimens.
However, if any identification key is to be used with some hope of success, specimens must be mounted in
the way that the characters needed for identification are clearly visible.
A: Well-mounted specimen.
B: Poorly-mounted specimen.
C: Desirable position of antennae and mandibles.
2) Labeling
Specimens without data labels have no scientific value. Therefore, during preparation and mounting,
specimens should bear temporary data labels, and any time a sample is subdivided, the label must be copied
so that every specimen continues to be accompanied by the data. Here, the important points for making the
labels are described.
B) Label printing
The style and technique of label printing or writing may vary from one worker to another. Recently,
computer-generated labels printed by laser printers become increasingly common. This way has made it
easier to produce labels in very small font sizes. And word processor and database software that help in
generating this kind of label is widely available. However, toner of laser printer may deteriorate with age so
that laser printed label will peeled off the toner finally. Methods of computer-generated labels are subject to
improvement. The best labels may still be professionally printed labels.
C) Label Data
Collection locality, date (day, month and year), and collector name is indispensable specimen data. These
data should be printed on a label (Fig. 2). Furthermore, since Global Positioning System (GPS) is available
now, it is recommendable to put latitude and longitude on a label in addition to the primary locality data.
For ants, information about collecting or nesting site, such as soil, leaf-letter and tree, are of great importance
for identification purposes, and so usually recorded on additional labels. When a colony can be collected, it
is advisable that colony code-number is assigned to the specimens belonged to the colony. This way ensures
to refer combination with different castes from same colony.
References
- Agosti, D., J. Majer, L. Alonso, and T. R. Schultz (eds.) (2000) Ants: Standard methods for measuring and
monitoring biodiversity. 280 pp. Smithsonian Institution Press.
- Bolton, B.0(1994) Identification guide to the ant genera of the world. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.
222 pp.
- Bolton, B. (1995) A new general catalogue of the ants of the world. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.
504 pp.
- Hölldobler, B. and Wilson, E. O. (1990) The Ants. 733 pp. Belknap Press of Harvard University, Cambridge,
MA.
- Stork, N. E. (1987) Guild structure of arthropod fauna of Bornean lowland rain forest trees. Ecol. Entomol.,
12: 69-80
- Stork, N. E. (1991) The composition of arthropod fauna of Bornean lowland rain forest trees. J. Trop. Ecol. 7:161-180
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Alitrunk (Mesosoma)
The alitrunk consists of the three segments of the
true thorax (pro-, meso-, and metathorax) to which
is fused the propodeum (the tergite of the first
abdominal segment), to form a single unit (AL).
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Metanotum (MTN): The dorsal sclerite of the of three parts, scape (SC), pedicel (PD) and
metathorax. In ants, the metanotum may be funiculus (= flagellum, FU). The antenna in ants
reduced, or obliterated. consists of 4-12 segments. The funicular segments
may be filiform or enlarged to form a club.
Metanotal groove (MTG): In ants, the mesonotum
and propodeum are often separated by a transverse
groove or impression (Metanotal groove)
representing the last vestige of the metanotum.
Antenna
It is a paired segmented sensory appendage of the
head between the compound eyes, which consists
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Clypeus (CP)
Anterior sclerite of the dorsal head, bounded Frontal lobe (FB)
posteriorly by the fronto-clypeal suture (= posterior The frontal lobes commonly are extensions, which
clypeal margin or border, FS). The anterior clypeal partially or entirely cover and conceal the antennal
margin usually forms the anterior margin of the sockets.
head in full-face view. The body of the clypeus
consists of median portion and a pair of lateral
portions (MC, LC). The median portion of the
clypeus may be equipped with one or more
longitudinal carinae, or may be variously specialized
in shape.
Leg segments
Each leg consists of a basal coxa (BC) that articulates
with the alitrunk, followed in order by a trochanter
(TR), femur (FE), a tibia (TB), and a tarsus (TA), the
last consisting of five small segments and
terminating apically in a pair of claws (CA).
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Mandible (MD)
The paired, heavily sclerotized appendage of the
mouthparts between the labrum and maxilla (See
Mouth parts). In ants, the mandibular margins
usually form a triangular or subtriangular shape in
full-face view, but in some become from elongate-
triangular to linear mandibles. Extremely curved
mandibles, usually quite short and with few or no
teeth are termed falcate.
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Mouthparts
The appendages of the head used for feeding, Occipital carina (OC)
including the labrum, hypopharynx, mandibles, A ridge on the posterior surface of the head that
maxillae, and labium. separates the occiput from the vertex and gena.
Labrum (LB): Mouthpart sclerite that hinges on the Peduncle (PD): The relatively narrow anterior section
anterior margin of the clypeus and usually folds of the petiole. when the peduncle is present, the
back and down over the apices of the maxillae and petiole is termed pedunculate. When the peduncle
labium when the mouthparts are not in use. is absent, so that the node or scale of the petiole
immediately follows the articulation with
propodeum, the petiole is termed sessile.
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Spongiform (SP)
Specialized sponge-like external cuticular tissue,
distributed mainly about the waist segments in some
groups of ants.
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Subfamily Cerapachyinae
Tribe Cerapachyini
Genus Cerapachys Smith 1857
Type species: Cerapachys antennatus, designated by Bingham (1903).
Taxonomic References
Smith, F. 1857. Catalogue of the hymenopterous insects collected at Sarawak, Borneo; Mount Ophir, Malacca;
and at Singapore, by A. R. Wallace. J. Proc. Linn. Soc. London Zool. 2: 42-88.
Brown, W.L.,Jr. 1975 Contributions toward a reclassification of the Formicidae. 5. Ponerinae, tribes Platythyreini,
Cerapachyini, Cylindromyrmecini, Acanthostichini, and Aenictogitini. Search Agriculture 5: Entomology (Ithaca)
15 : 1-115
Biology: Army ants (Predators of other ants)
Subfamily Dolichoderinae
Tribe Dolichoderini
Genus Bothriomyrmex Emery 1869
Type species: Bothriomyrmex costae Emery, by monotypy.
Taxonomic Reference
Emery, C. 1869. Descrizione di una nuova formica italiana. Ann. Mus. Zool. R. Univ. Napoli 5: 117-118.
Shattuck, S.O. 1992 Generic revision of the ant subfamily Dolichoderinae. Sociobiogy 21: 1-181
Habitat: Wide variety of habitats, from grasslands to lowland rain forests. Nests in soil or in rotten wood
Biology: Foraging on ground and trees. Some are temporary sociall parasites of Tapinoma and Iridomyrmex.
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Subfamily Dorylinae
Tribe Dorylini
Genus Dorylus Fabricius 1793
Type species: Vespa helvola, by monotypy.
Taxonomic Reference
Fabricius, J. C.. 1793. Entomologia systematica emendata et aucta. Vol. 2. Christ. Gottl. Proft, Hafniae. 519 pp.
Wilson, E.O. 1964 The true army ants of the Indo-Australian area. Pacific Insects 6: 427-483
Biology: Army ants. Generalized predators
Subfamily Formicinae
Tribe Brachymyrmecini
Genus Cladomyrma Wheeler 1920
Type species: Aphomomyrmex hewitti, by original designation.
Taxonomic Reference
Wheeler, W. M. 1920 The subfamilies of Formicidae, and other taxonomic notes. Psyche 27: 46-55.
Agosti, D. 1991 Revision of the Oriental ant genus Cladomyrma, with an out-line of the higher classification of the
Formicinae Systematic Entomology 16: 293-310
Habitat: Nests in live pithy
Biology: Generalized foragers. Tend coccoids (Pseudococcidae) inside the nest hollows.
Tribe Bregmatomyrmini
Genus Bregmatomyrma Wheeler, 1929
Type species: Bregmatomyrma carnosa Wheeler, by original designation.
Taxonomic Reference
Wheeler, W. M. 1929. Three new genera of ants from the Dutch East Indies. Amer. Mus. Nov. 349: 1-8.
Note: Only single species, B. carnosa, (queen only) is known from Borneo.
Tribe Camponotini
Genus Camponotus Mayr 1861
Type species: Formica ligniperda Latreille, designated by Bingham (1903).
Taxonomic Reference
Mayr, G. 1861 Die Europ‰ischen Formiciden. (Ameisen.)., Vienna. 80 pp.
Habitat: Nests in ground, in dead wood, or in trees.
Biology: Generalized foragers.
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Tribe Gesomyrmecini
Genus Gesomyrmex Mayr 1868
Type species: Gesomyrmex hoernesi, by monotypy.
Taxonomic Reference
Mayr, G. 1868 Die Ameisen des baltischen Bernsteins. Beitr. Naturk. Preuss. K. Physik.-Oekon. Ges. Koenigsberg
1: 1-102.
Habitat: Arboreal
Tribe Lasiini
Genus Euprenolepis Emery 1906
Type species: Prenolepis procera, by original designation.
Taxonomic Reference
Emery, C. 1906 Note sur Prenolepis vividula Nyl. et sur la classification des especes du genre Prenolepis. Ann.
Soc. Entomol. Belgique 50: 130-134.
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Tribe Myrmoteratini
Genus Myrmoteras Forel 1893
Type species: Myrmoteras binghamii, by monotypy.
Taxonomic Reference
Forel, A. 1893 Note preventive sur un nouveau genre et une nouvelle espece de formicide (camponitide). Ann.
Soc. Entomol. Belgique 37: 607-608.
Moffett, M.W. 1985 Revision of the genus Myrmoteras. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology
151: 1-53
Agosti, D. 1992 Revision of the ant genus Myrmoteras of the Malay Archipelago. Revue Suisse de Zoologie
99: 405-429
Habitat: Epigaeic
Biology: Preadators on forest floor
Tribe Oecophyllini
Genus Oecophylla Smith 1860
Type species: Formica virescens, designated by Bingham (1903).
Taxonomic Reference
Smith, F. 1860. Catalogue of hymenopterous insects collected by Mr. A. R. Wallace in the Islands of Bachian,
Kaisaa, Amboyna, Gilolo, and at Dory in New Guinea. J. Proc. Linn. Soc. London Zool. 5: 93-143.
Habitat: Nesting in arboreal, silk-woven leaf nests.
Biology: Predator, tend homopterans.
Tribe Plagiolepidini
Genus Acropyga Roger 1862
Type species: Acropyga (Atopodon) inezae Forel, designated by Wheeler (1913).
Taxonomic Reference
Roger, J. 1862. Einige neue exotische Ameisen-Gattungen und Arten. Berl. Entomol. Z. 6: 233-254.
Habitat: Hypogaeic
Biology: Tend coccids on the roots of plants
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Subfamily LEPTANILLINAE
Tribe Anomalomyrmini
Genus Anomalomyrma Taylor 1990, in Bolton 1990
Type species: Anomalomyrma taylori Bolton, by original designation.
Taxonomic Reference
Bolton, B. 1990. The higher classification of the ant subfamily Leptanillinae (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).
Syst. Entomol. 15: 267-282.
Habitat: Nesting in soil
Biology: Cryptic predaters
Tribe Leptanillini
Genus Leptanilla Emery 1870
Type species: Leptanilla revelierii, by monotypy.
Taxonomic Reference
Emery, C. 1870. Studi mirmecologici. Boll. Soc. Entomol. Ital. 2: 193-201.
Baroni Urbani, C. 1977. Materiali per una revisione della sottofamiglia Leptanillinae Emery. Entomologica
Basiliensia 2: 427-488
Habitat: in soil
Biology: Cryptic mass predators (of centipedes)
Subfamily MYRMICINAE
Tribe Basicerotini
Genus Eurhopalothrix Brown & Kempf 1961
Type species: Rhopalothrix bolaui, by original designation.
Taxonomic Reference
Brown, W. L. and W. W. Kempf. 1961 The type species of the ant genus Eurhopalothrix. Psyche 67: 44.
Taylor, R.W. 1968 Notes on the Indo-Australian basicerotine ants. Australian Journal of Zoology 16: 333-348
Habitat: Nesting in leaf litter
Biology: Predators
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Tribe Cataulacini
Genus Cataulacus Smith 1853
Type species: Cataulacus taprobanae, designated by Bingham (1903).
Taxonomic Reference
Smith, F. 1853. Monograph of the genus Cryptocerus, belonging to the group Cryptoceridae - family Myrmicidae
- division Hymenoptera Heterogyna. Trans. Entomol. Soc. Lond. (2)2(1854): 213-228.
Bolton, B. 1974 A revision of the Palaeotropical arboreal ant genus Cataulacus F. Smith. Bulletin of the British
Museum (Natural History) (Entomology) 30: 1-105
Habitat: Arboreal, nesting in plant cavities
Tribe Crematogastrini
Genus Crematogaster Lund 1831
Type species: Formica scutellaris, designated by Bingham (1903).
Taxonomic Reference
Lund, P. W. 1831 Lettre sur les habitudes de quelques fourmis du Bresil, adressee a M. Audouin. Ann. Sci. Nat.
23: 113-138.
Habitat: Arboreal, nesting in hollow tree trunks and branches. Some in soil
Biology: Generalized foragers
Tribe Dacetonini
Genus Pyramica Roger 1862
Type species: Pyramica gundlachi, by monotypy.
Taxonomic Reference
Roger, J. 1862 Einige neue exotische Ameisen-Gattungen und Arten. Berl. Entomol. Z. 6: 233-254.
Bolton, B. 1999 Ant genera of the tribe Dacetonini (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Journal of Natural History
33: 1639-1689
Habitat: Nesting in leaf litter
Biology: Predators, mainly of collembolans
Tribe Formicoxenini
Genus Cardiocondyla Emery 1869
Type species: Cardiocondyla elegans, by monotypy.
Taxonomic Reference
Emery, C. 1869 Enumerazione dei Formicidi che rinvengonsi nei contorni di Napoli. Ann. Accad. Asp. Nat.
(2)2: 1-26.
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Tribe Melissotarsini
Genus Rhopalomastix Forel 1900
Type species: Rhopalomastix rothneyi, by monotypy.
Taxonomic Reference
Forel, A. 1900 Un nouveau genre et une nouvelle espece de myrmicide. Ann. Soc. Entomol. Belgique 44: 24-26.
Habitat: Nesting under bark (?)
Biology: foraging on under bark, or on low vegetation
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Tribe Meranoplini
Genus Meranoplus Smith 1853
Type species: Cryptocerus bicolor, designated by Bingham (1903).
Taxonomic References
Smith, F. 1853. Monograph of the genus Cryptocerus, belonging to the group Cryptoceridae - family Myrmicidae
- division Hymenoptera Heterogyna. Trans. Entomol. Soc. Lond. (2)2(1854): 213-228.
Habitat: Nesting in the ground
Biology: Scavengers (some specialize on seeds)
Tribe Metaponini
Genus Liomyrmex Mayr 1865
Type species: Myrmica caeca.
Taxonomic References
Mayr, G.. 1865 Reise der Oesterreichischen Fregatte Novara um die Erde in den Jahren 1857, 1858, 1859, unter
den befehlen des Commodore B. von Wuellerstorf-Urbair. Zoologischer Theil. Formicidae., Vienna. 119 pp.
Ettershank, G. 1966 A generic revision of the world Myrmicinae related to Solenopsis and Pheidologeton.
Australian Journal of Zoology 14: 73-171
Rigato, F. & B. Bolton 2001 The ant genus Liomyrmex: a review (Hymenoptera Formicidae). Boll Soc. entomol.
ital., 133(3):247-256.
Habitat: Nesting under bark, or in rotten woods
Tribe Myrmecinini
Genus Myrmecina Curtis 1829
Type species: Myrmecina latreillii, by monotypy.
Taxonomic References
Curtis, J. 1829 British entomology; being illustrations and descriptions of the genera of insects found in Great
Britain and Ireland. Vol. 6:242-288. , London.
Habitat: Nesting in soil
Biology: Predators of mites
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Tribe Myrmicarini
Genus Myrmicaria Saunders 1842
Type species: Myrmicaria brunnea, by monotypy.
Taxonomic References
Saunders, W. W. 1842 Descriptions of two hymenopterous insects from northern India. Trans. Entomol. Soc.
Lond. 3: 57-58.
Habitat: Many Arboreal
Biology: Generalized foragers.
Tribe Phalacromyrmecini
Genus Ishakidris Bolton 1984
Type species: Ishakidris ascitaspis, by original designation.
Taxonomic References
Bolton, B. 1984 Diagnosis and relationships of the myrmicine ant genus Ishakidris gen.n. Systematic Entomology
9: 373-382
Habitat: Leaf litter
Note: The single species, I. ascitaspis, is known from Winkler bag sample collected in Sarawak.
Tribe Pheidolini
Genus Aphaenogaster Mayr 1853
Type species: Aphaenogaster sardoa Mayr, designated by Bingham (1903).
Taxonomic References
Mayr, G. 1853 Beitraege zur Kenntniss der Ameisen. Verh. Zool.-Bot. Ver. Wien 3: 101-114.
Habitat: Nesting in soil
Biology: Generalized foragers
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Y. HASHIMOTO
Tribe Pheidologetonini
Genus Oligomyrmex Mayr 1867
Type species: Oligomyrmex concinnus, by monotypy.
Taxonomic References
Mayr, G. 1867. Adnotationes in monographiam formicidarum Indo-Neerlandicarum. Tijdschr. Entomol. (2)2(10):
33-117.
Habitat: in soil
Biology: Prey on brood and eggs of termites, or ants
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Taxonomic References
Forel, A. 1890. Aenictus-Typhlatta decouverte de M. Wroughton. Nouveaux genres de formicides. Ann. Soc.
Entomol. Belg. Comptes-rendus Seances 34: cii-cxiv.
Bolton, B. 1992. A review of the ant genus Recurvidris, a new name for Trigonogaster Forel. Psyche 99: 35-48
Habitat: Nesting in soil
Biology: Generalized foragers
Tribe Solenopsidini
Genus Anillomyrma Emery 1913
Type species: Monomorium decamerum Emery, by monotypy.
Taxonomic References
Emery, C. 1913 Etudes sur les Myrmicinae. Ann. Soc. Entomol. Belgique 57: 250-262.
Bolton, B. 1987 A review of the Solenopsis genus-group and revision of Afrotropical Monomorium Mayr
(Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Bull. Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) Entomol. 54: 263-452.
Habitat: Nesting in soil, or in termite nests
Biology: Prey on termites (?)
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Tribe Stenammini
Genus Calyptomyrmex Emery 1887
Type species: Calyptomyrmex beccarii Emery, by monotypy.
Taxonomic References
Emery, C. 1887 Catalogo delle formiche esistenti nelle collezioni del Museo Civico di Genova. Parte terza.
Formiche della regione Indo-Malese e dell'Australia (continuazione e fine). Ann. Mus. Civ. Stor. Nat. Genova
(2)5(25): 427-473.
Baroni Urbani, C. 1975 Primi reperti del genere Calyptomyrmex Emery nel subcontinente Indiano. Entomologica
Basiliensia 1: 395-411
Habitat: Leaf litter
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Tribe Tetramoriini
Genus Rhoptromyrmex Mayr 1901
Type species: Rhopalomastix rothneyi, by monotypy.
Taxonomic References
Mayr, G. 1901. Suedafrikanische Formiciden, gesammelt von Dr. Hans Brauns. Ann. Naturhistor. Mus. Wien
16: 1-30.
Bolton, B. 1986 A taxonomic and biological review of the tetramoriine ant genus Rhoptromyrmex. Systematic
Entomology 11: 1-17
Habitat: Nesting in soil
Biology: Social parasites (of Pheidole, Tapinoma)
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Subfamily PONERINAE
Tribe Amblyoponini
Genus Amblyopone Erichson 1842
Type species: Amblyopone australis Erichson, by monotypy.
Taxonomic References
Erichson, W. F. 1842. Beitrag zur Insecten-Fauna von Vandiemensland, mit besonderer Beruecksichtigung der
geographischen Verbreitung der Insecten. Arch. Naturgesch. 8: 83-287.
Brown, W.L.,Jr. 1960. Contributions toward a reclassification of the Formicidae. 3. Tribe Amblyoponini. Bulletin
of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College 122: 145-230
Habitat: nesting in soil under rocks or logs, or in rotten wood
Biology: Cryptic predators (some specialist to prey centipeds)
Tribe Ectatommini
Genus Discothyrea Roger 1863
Type species: Discothyrea testacea, by monotypy.
Taxonomic References
Roger, J. 1863 Die neu aufgefürten Gattungen und Arten meines Formiciden-Verzeichnisses, nebst Ergäzung
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Tribe Platythyreini
Genus Platythyrea Roger 1863
Type species: Pachycondyla punctata, designated by Bingham (1903).
Taxonomic References
Roger, J. 1863 Die neu aufgefürten Gattungen und Arten meines Formiciden-Verzeichnisses, nebst Ergäzung
einiger früer gegeben Beschreibungen. Berl. Entomol. Z. 7: 131-214.
Brown, W. L., Jr. 1975 Contributions toward a reclassification of the Formicidae. V. Ponerinae, tribes Platythyreini,
Cerapachyini, Cylindromyrmecini, Acanthostichini, and Aenictogitini. Search Agric. (Ithaca N. Y.) 5(1): 1-115
Habitat: Nesting in soil, in rotten wood or in hollow twigs on trees
Biology: Predator (some specialist predators on termites)
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Brown, W. L., Jr. 1975 Contributions toward a reclassification of the Formicidae. V. Ponerinae, tribes Platythyreini,
Cerapachyini, Cylindromyrmecini, Acanthostichini, and Aenictogitini. Search Agric. (Ithaca N. Y.) 5(1): 1-115
Habitat: Nesting in soil under rocks, in leaf litter or in rotten wood.
Biology: Cryptic predator
Tribe Ponerini
Genus Anochetus Mayr 1861
Type species: Odontomachus ghilianii Spinola, by monotypy.
Taxonomic References
Mayr, G.. 1861 Die Europ¸schen Formiciden. (Ameisen.) , Vienna. 80 pp.
Brown, W.L.,Jr. 1978 Contributions toward a reclassification of the Formicidae. Part 6. Ponerinae, tribe Ponerini,
subtribe Odontomachiti. Section B. Genus Anochetus and bibliography. Studia Entomologica (N.S.) 20: 549-652
Habitat: Nesting in soil, in termite nests or under logs.
Biology: Predator
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Subfamily PSEUDOMYRMECINAE
Tribe Pseudomyrmecini
Genus Tetraponera Smith 1852
Type species: Tetraponera atrata, designated by Wheeler (1911).
Taxonomic References
Smith, F. 1852 Descriptions of some hymenopterous insects captured in India, with notes on their oeconomy, by
Ezra T. Downes, Esq., who presented them to the Honourable the East India Company. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist.
(2)9: 44-50.
Ward, P. S. 2001 Taxonomy, phylogeny and biogeography of the ant genus Tetraponera (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
in the Oriental and Australian regions. Invert. Taxon. 15: 589-665.
Habitat: Arboreal, nesting in plants cavities
Biology: Predator (?)
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