Megalomyrmex drifti

AntWiki: The Ants --- Online
Megalomyrmex drifti
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Myrmicinae
Tribe: Solenopsidini
Genus: Megalomyrmex
Species group: pusillus
Species: M. drifti
Binomial name
Megalomyrmex drifti
Kempf, 1961

Megalomyrmex drifti casent0173974 profile 1.jpg

Megalomyrmex drifti casent0173974 dorsal 1.jpg

Specimen labels

Boudinot et al. (2013) - Megalomyrmex drifti is a small leaf-litter nesting species which have been collected in twigs and leaves (Longino 2010; T. McGlynn pers. comm.) as well as in many leaf litter sifting collections (Brandão 1990; Kempf 1970; Longino 2010; herein). These observations, although attributed to M. drifti, likely apply to or are of other species in the drifti complex.

Identification

Boudinot et al. (2013) - Uniquely identified among Central American Megalomyrmex by the following combination: (1) basal and masticatory margins indistinct; (2) small (ML < 1.0 mm); (3) disc of katepisternum smooth and shining; (4) occipital carina obscured by vertex in full-face view; (5) eye normally-developed and relatively close to lateral clypeal margin (EL > 0.10 mm, OMI < 60); (6) scape relatively short (SI < 85). Queen Similarly identifiable as worker, alate.

Keys including this Species

Distribution

Megalomyrmex drifti, as now delimited, is known in Central America from sea-level to mid-elevation (750 m) wet forests.

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: 23.718425° to -64.23°.

       
North
Temperate
North
Subtropical
Tropical South
Subtropical
South
Temperate

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Neotropical Region: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname (type locality), Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela.

Distribution based on AntMaps

AntMapLegend.png

Distribution based on AntWeb specimens

Check data from AntWeb

Countries Occupied

Number of countries occupied by this species based on AntWiki Regional Taxon Lists. In general, fewer countries occupied indicates a narrower range, while more countries indicates a more widespread species.
pChart

Estimated Abundance

Relative abundance based on number of AntMaps records per species (this species within the purple bar). Fewer records (to the left) indicates a less abundant/encountered species while more records (to the right) indicates more abundant/encountered species.
pChart


Biology

This species occurs in moist to wet forest habitats, in mature and second growth forest. Most collections are from below 600 m elevation, but collections from 1500 m cloud forest are known. Workers and occasionally queens are moderately abundant in Winkler samples of sifted litter. In Costa Rican wet forest I found a nest in a dead stick in the leaf litter; it contained abundant workers, brood, alate queens, and males. The collection was made on 9 November 2002, the height of the wet season.

Castes

Worker

Images from AntWeb

Megalomyrmex drifti casent0178670 head 1.jpgMegalomyrmex drifti casent0178670 profile 1.jpgMegalomyrmex drifti casent0178670 dorsal 1.jpgMegalomyrmex drifti casent0178670 label 1.jpg
Worker. Specimen code casent0178670. Photographer April Nobile, uploaded by California Academy of Sciences. Owned by MIZA, Maracay, Venezuela.

Nomenclature

The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.

  • drifti. Megalomyrmex drifti Kempf, 1961b: 504, figs. 9-11 (w.q.) SURINAME.
    • Type-material: holotype worker, 12 paratype workers, 1 paratype queen.
    • Type-locality: holotype Suriname: Dirkshoop, experimental citrus garden 40 km. W Paramaribo, x.1959 (J. van der Drift); paratypes with same data.
    • Type-depositories: MZSP (holotype); MCZC, MZSP (paratypes).
    • [Note: Brandão, 1990b: 448 comments that 5 paratypes are “probably at the J. van der Drift collection”, the location of which is not known to me.]
    • Brandão, 1990b: 448 (m.).
    • Status as species: Ettershank, 1966: 105; Kempf, 1970c: 362; Kempf, 1972a: 139; Brandão, 1990b: 448 (redescription); Brandão, 1991: 355; Bolton, 1995b: 249; Brandão, 2003: 157; Wild, 2007b: 33; Longino, 2010: 44; Branstetter & Sáenz, 2012: 258; Boudinot, et al. 2013: 30 (redescription); Bezděčková, et al. 2015: 118; Fernández & Serna, 2019: 806.
    • Distribution: Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad.

Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description.

Boudinot et al. (2013) - Kempf (1970) stated that Megalomyrmex drifti displayed a strong morphocline across South America; Brandão (1990) and later Longino (2010) concurred. From the Central American material available to us, we found morphological, geographic, and genetic (unpubl. data) evidence for three new species previously attributed to M. drifti. Our newly restricted M. drifti is found in sympatry with two new drifti complex species, Megalomyrmex megadrifti and Megalomyrmex osadrifti. Although only collected in parapatry with M. drifti, Megalomyrmex brandaoi is remarkably distinct. Previously, Brandão (1990) suggested that the observed morphocline could be caused by high population viscosity due to the production of ergatoid gynes; to our knowledge, ergatoid queens have only been reported from an unknown drifti complex species from Rio Palenque, Ecuador, and Bocaiuva, PR, Brazil (Brandão 1990). It remains to be determined how many drifti complex species are present in South America. As well, the male of M. drifti has previously been described (Brandão 1990); it is not known to which drifti complex species these described males belong.

Description

Worker

Boudinot et al. (2013) - (holotype, from Brandão 1990): HW 0.45, HL 0.60, SL 0.38, ML 0.60, CI 75, SI 63. (Kempf 1961: HL 0.51, SL 0.37, EL 0.11, ML 0.61, SI 73.) workers(n=9): HW 0.43–0.48, HL 0.52–0.56, SL 0.41–0.45, OMD 0.06–0.08, EL 0.12–0.15, ML 0.63–0.72, CI 84–88, SI 78–82, EI 29–32, OMI 43–57.

Head Palpal formula 3,2. Basal and masticatory margins of mandible indistinct, curving evenly from basal to masticatory margin. Mandible with 4–7 teeth; apical two teeth largest; apical tooth slightly less than twice as long as subapical; 2–5 very small basal teeth. Dorsal surface of mandible smooth and shining, interrupted by weak piligerous punctae. Clypeus truncate in profile view, with median seta often raised on a small tubercle. Clypeal carinae present, distinct to weak; diverging anteriorly. Clypeus, between antennal insertions, narrower than maximum diameter of scape. Antennal fossa encircled by 2–4 complete carinulae. Malar area roughened in anterior half, smooth posteriorly. Compound eye with about 2–7 ocular setae. Compound eye relatively close to lateral clypeal margin (OMI < 60). Scape relatively short (SI < 85). Occipital carina short, distinct; obscured by vertex in full-face view; extending anteroventrally less than one eighth length of postgenal bridge. Mesosoma Katepisternum and promesonotum smooth and shining, propodeum smooth and shining except for 4 close-set metapleural carinulae. Metapleural carinulae not reaching meso-metapleural suture. Metanotal depression a deep incision. Propodeum with dorsal and posterior faces meeting at a bluntly rounded, raised angle; propodeum dorsolaterally marginate; dorsal margin concave in profile view. Propodeal foramen complete to weak dorsomedially. Meso- and metabasitarsi tubular. Metasoma Petiole and postpetiole predominantly smooth and shining, except for occasional weak roughness posteroventrally on the petiole, and concentric girdling carinulae on posterior bases of petiole and postpetiole. Posterior petiolar base distinct from posterodorsal petiolar face. Subpetiolar process a small, distinct, posteriorly-pointed denticle. Postpetiolar sternum weakly bidentate anteriorly. Lancets of sting apparatus flattened, about three times as thick as metasomal seta. Setation Fine; head dorsum with somewhat dense medium to long subdecumbent to erect setae, in addition to somewhat denser short appressed to subdecumbent setae; scape with appressed setae, sometimes with decumbent to subdecumbent setae; promesonotum with about 11–12 setae on each lateral half, about 3–5 longest setae; first gastric tergum with somewhat more dilute long suberect setae, and with at least 10, but more often greater than 20 short appressed setae. Head, meso- and metasoma shining black to dark brown, sometimes pale brown; legs, antennae, and mandibles yellow-brown.

Queen

Boudinot et al. (2013) - (n=2): HW 0.53–0.55, HL 0.60–0.61, SL 0.48, OMD 0.07, EL 0.19, ML 0.87, CI 89–90, SI 80–81, EI 35–36, OMI 37–38.

Similar to worker, but with alate-condition mesosoma, coarser sculpturation, and more mesosomal setation. Wing venation not observed.

Type Material

Holotype worker, paratype workers, queen: SURINAM, Dirkshoop Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo (examined).

References

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

  • Boudinot B. E., T. P. Sumnicht, and R. M. M. Adams. 2013. Central American ants of the genus Megalomyrmex Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): six new species and keys to workers and males. Zootaxa 3732(1): 1-82.
  • Brandao, C.R.F. 1991. Adendos ao catalogo abreviado das formigas da regiao neotropical (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Rev. Bras. Entomol. 35: 319-412.
  • Brandão C. R. F. 1990. Systematic revision of the Neotropical ant genus Megalomyrmex Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae), with the description of thirteen new species. Arquivos de Zoologia (São Paulo) 31: 411-481
  • Brandão C. R. F. 2003. Further revisionary studies on the ant genus Megalomyrmex Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Papeis Avulsos de Zoologia (São Paulo) 43: 145-159
  • Calixto J. M. 2013. Lista preliminar das especies de formigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) do estado do Parana, Brasil. Universidad Federal do Parana 34 pages.
  • Castano-Meneses, G., M. Vasquez-Bolanos, J. L. Navarrete-Heredia, G. A. Quiroz-Rocha, and I. Alcala-Martinez. 2015. Avances de Formicidae de Mexico. Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico.
  • Dattilo W. et al. 2019. MEXICO ANTS: incidence and abundance along the Nearctic-Neotropical interface. Ecology https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.2944
  • Escalante Gutiérrez J. A. 1993. Especies de hormigas conocidas del Perú (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Revista Peruana de Entomología 34:1-13.
  • Ettershank G. 1966. A generic revision of the world Myrmicinae related to Solenopsis and Pheidologeton (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Aust. J. Zool. 14: 73-171.
  • Favretto M. A., E. Bortolon dos Santos, and C. J. Geuster. 2013. Entomofauna from West of Santa Catarina State, South of Brazil. EntomoBrasilis 6 (1): 42-63.
  • Fernandes I., and J. de Souza. 2018. Dataset of long-term monitoring of ground-dwelling ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the influence areas of a hydroelectric power plant on the Madeira River in the Amazon Basin. Biodiversity Data Journal 6: e24375.
  • Fernandes, P.R. XXXX. Los hormigas del suelo en Mexico: Diversidad, distribucion e importancia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).
  • Fernández, F. and S. Sendoya. 2004. Lista de las hormigas neotropicales. Biota Colombiana Volume 5, Number 1.
  • Fleck M. D., E. Bisognin Cantarelli, and F. Granzotto. 2015. Register of new species of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Rio Grande do Sul state. Ciencia Florestal, Santa Maria 25(2): 491-499.
  • Franco W., N. Ladino, J. H. C. Delabie, A. Dejean, J. Orivel, M. Fichaux, S. Groc, M. Leponce, and R. M. Feitosa. 2019. First checklist of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of French Guiana. Zootaxa 4674(5): 509-543.
  • Groc S., J. H. C. Delabie, F. Fernandez, F. Petitclerc, B. Corbara, M. Leponce, R. Cereghino, and A. Dejean. 2017. Litter-dwelling ants as bioindicators to gauge the sustainability of small arboreal monocultures embedded in the Amazonian rainforest. Ecological Indicators 82: 43-49.
  • INBio Collection (via Gbif)
  • Kempf W. W. 1970. Taxonomic notes on ants of the genus Megalomyrmex Forel, with the description of new species (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Studia Entomologica 13: 353-364.
  • Kempf, W.W. 1972. Catalago abreviado das formigas da regiao Neotropical (Hym. Formicidae) Studia Entomologica 15(1-4).
  • Longino J. T. 2010. A taxonomic review of the ant genus Megalomyrmex Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Central America. Zootaxa 2720: 35-58
  • Longino J. T. 2013. Ants of Nicargua. Consulted on 18 Jan 2013. https://sites.google.com/site/longinollama/reports/ants-of-nicaragua
  • Longino J. T. L., and M. G. Branstetter. 2018. The truncated bell: an enigmatic but pervasive elevational diversity pattern in Middle American ants. Ecography 41: 1-12.
  • Longino J. T., and R. K. Colwell. 2011. Density compensation, species composition, and richness of ants on a neotropical elevational gradient. Ecosphere 2(3): 16pp.
  • Longino J. et al. ADMAC project. Accessed on March 24th 2017 at https://sites.google.com/site/admacsite/
  • Longino, J.T. 2010. Personal Communication. Longino Collection Database
  • Orsolon-Souza G., C. E. L. Esberard, A. J. Mayhe-Nunes, A. B. Vargas, S. Veiga-Ferreira, and E. Folly-Ramos. 2011. Comparison between Winkler’s extractor and pitfall traps to estimate leaf litter ants richness (Formicidae) at a rainforest site in southest Brazil. Braz. J. Biol. 71(4): 873-880.
  • Philpott, S.M., P. Bichier, R. Rice, and R. Greenberg. 2007. Field testing ecological and economic benefits of coffee certification programs. Conservation Biology 21: 975-985.
  • Pires de Prado L., R. M. Feitosa, S. Pinzon Triana, J. A. Munoz Gutierrez, G. X. Rousseau, R. Alves Silva, G. M. Siqueira, C. L. Caldas dos Santos, F. Veras Silva, T. Sanches Ranzani da Silva, A. Casadei-Ferreira, R. Rosa da Silva, and J. Andrade-Silva. 2019. An overview of the ant fauna (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the state of Maranhao, Brazil. Pap. Avulsos Zool. 59: e20195938.
  • Resende J. J., G. M. de M. Santos, I. C. do Nascimento, J. H. C. Delabie, and E. M. da Silva. 2011. Communities of ants (Hymenoptera – Formicidae) in different Atlantic rain forest phytophysionomies. Sociobiology 58(3): 779-799.
  • Rosa da Silva R. 1999. Formigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) do oeste de Santa Catarina: historico das coletas e lista atualizada das especies do Estado de Santa Catarina. Biotemas 12(2): 75-100.
  • Silva R. R., R. S. Machado Feitosa, and F. Eberhardt. 2007. Reduced ant diversity along a habitat regeneration gradient in the southern Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Forest Ecology and Management 240: 61-69.
  • Silva R.R., and C. R. F. Brandao. 2014. Ecosystem-Wide Morphological Structure of Leaf-Litter Ant Communities along a Tropical Latitudinal Gradient. PLoSONE 9(3): e93049. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0093049
  • Siqueira de Castro F., A. B. Gontijo, P. de Tarso Amorim Castro, and S. Pontes Ribeiro. 2012. Annual and Seasonal Changes in the Structure of Litter-Dwelling Ant Assemblages (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Atlantic Semideciduous Forests. Psyche doi:10.1155/2012/959715
  • Siqueira de Castro F., A. B. Gontijo, W. Duarte da Rocha, and S. Pontes Ribeiro. 2011. As comunidades de formigas de serapilheira nas florestas semidecíduas do Parque Estadual do Rio Doce, Minas Gerais. MG.BIOTA, Belo Horizonte 3(5): 5-24.
  • Ulyssea M.A., C. E. Cereto, F. B. Rosumek, R. R. Silva, and B. C. Lopes. 2011. Updated list of ant species (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) recorded in Santa Catarina State, southern Brazil, with a discussion of research advances and priorities. Revista Brasileira de Entomologia 55(4): 603-–611.
  • Vasconcelos H. L., J. M. S. Vilhena, W. E. Magnusson, and A. L. K. M. Albernaz. 2006. Long-term effects of forest fragmentation on Amazonian ant communities. Journal of Biogeography 33: 1348-1356.
  • Vasconcelos, H.L., J.M.S. Vilhena, W.E. Magnusson and A.L.K.M. Albernaz. 2006. Long-term effects of forest fragmentation on Amazonian ant communities. Journal of Biogeography 33:1348-1356
  • Vásquez-Bolaños M. 2011. Lista de especies de hormigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) para México. Dugesiana 18: 95-133
  • da Silva, R.R. and R. Silvestre. 2004. Riqueza da fauna de formigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) que habita as camadas superficiais do solo em Seara, Santa Catarina. Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia (São Paulo) 44(1): 1-11