New records of nine ant species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) for the Galapagos Islands (original) (raw)
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The Galápagos ant fauna has long been understudied, with the last taxonomic summary being published almost a century ago. Here, we provide a comprehensive and updated overview of the known ant species of the Galápagos Islands with updated species distributions. The list is based on an extensive review of literature, the identification of more than 382,023 specimens deposited in different entomological collections, as well as recent expeditions to the islands. The fauna is composed of five subfamilies (Dolichoderinae, Dorilynae, Formicinae, Myrmicinae and Ponerinae), 22 genera and 53 species, though 3 of these species are considered dubious records. Finally, we provide an illustrated identification key of the species in the archipelago.
NEW RECORDS OF INTRODUCED ANTS (HYMENOPTERA; FORMICIDAE) IN THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
Recent collections on Santa Cruz island and review of the Reference Collection of Terrestrial Invertebrates of the Charles Darwin Research Station, found five new records of ant species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) possibly introduced to the Galapagos Islands: Brachymyrmex heeri, Adelomyrmex myops, Cyphomyrmex rimosus, Pyramica membranifera and Rogeria curvipubens. Four of these are also new records for Ecuador.
Revision of the ant genus Gnamptogenys in the New World (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 1995
Ants of the genus Gnmnptogenys Roger in the New World are revised. The study is based mostly on worker morphology; 73 species are recognized, fifteen of which are new: G. andina, G. hoUviensis, G. brunnea, G ciineiforma, G. ejuncida, G. extra, G. gentri/i, G. latkephala, G. ilimaui, G. nigrivitrea, G. pilosa, G. siapensis, G. stellae, G. transversa and G. volcano. G. ericae is revalidated. In the present work sixteen names have been synonymized, and a morphological synopisis of the genus is given. The species range from southern U.S. to northern Argentina, but most are found in Central America and tropical South American forests. The evolutionary history of the genus is studied using phylogenetic systematics criteria. Six species groups are recognized: striatula group (22 species); niiniita group (9 species); rastrata group (14 species); sulcata group (8 species); nwrdax group (17 species), and the concinna group (3 species). A key for the identification of workers is presented. Illustrations of morphological features supplement the key and descriptions.
The ants (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the Socotra Archipelago
2004
A b stract: The ant species recorded from Socotra Island and the outlying islands of Samha, Darsa and Abd al-Kuri are listed and a key to the workers is presented. Scanning electron micrographs are provided to facilitate identification. Only 18 species have been identified, one of which – Monomorium nimihil Collingwood, 2003 n. sp. – is described as new. At least eight of these species, but probably more, have been transferred to the islands by human commerce. There is little evidence that ecosystems have been strongly influenced by alien ants up to now. Those ants most feared globally for their invasive potential and destructive impact on native fauna are yet absent from Socotra. To preserve this situation, diligent quarantine measures are of great importance.
Abstract. The first record and distribution of the bigheaded ant, Pheidole megacephala (Fabricius 1793) in the Gala´pagos Islands are reported. Major and minor workers have been collected in the towns of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (San Cristo´bal Island), Puerto Ayora (Santa Cruz Island), Puerto Villamil (Isabela Island) and in the highlands of San Cristobal. Field surveys and a revision of the Formicidae collection in the Invertebrates collection at the Charles Darwin Research Station (ICCDRS), California Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS) suggest that this species reached the Galápagos Archipelago within the last seven years. The potential impact on native fauna of P. megacephala is discussed and appropriate measures to control and stop the spread of this species are mentioned. Key Words. bigheaded ant, introduction, Galápagos Archipelago, control measurements.
Local diversity of tropical and temperature ant faunas (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)
Acta Amazonica, 1988
QuaZit.cLt.iv e and quantitative collections o£ antò mad p.. in the region of Manaus, B [evergreen tropical humid forest), and in western North Carolina, USA (deciduous temperate/wet forest), were undertaken to investigate latitudinal pattern.^ oi ant diversity an community organization on fie.gi.onat and local scales. We have &ound to dat.e 307 ant 6pe in the.. Municipality of\ Manaus. Totals ranging irom 134 to 270+ 6pcies have, been report in the, literature, ^or other th.opi.cal.regions oi less than 10,000km 2. Jn contrast, tempe ant ouh.ve.yo gemn.al.ty report only SO to ISO species in similar or larger areas. Samplin at sardine baits t>eX 10m apart on square grids, we iound forest ecooy.bte.mo near Manaus be much richer and more diverse in ants than those. 6ampled in North Carolina: 28 species VA. S-10 6peci.es in SO collections and 16 v6. 3 previously unrecorded species discovere with each doubling o{) 6ample 6ize. Room'6 (/975a) results ^rom climatZcalt.y simZíar Papua New Guinea forest agree cl.06ely with tho6e irom Manaus. We suggest that one important factor contributing to the increased diversity o& tropical omnivorous ants may be greate variety ofi nest sites available ior 6pecializatton.