A new species that is being described at the Sertão Myrmecology Laboratory, in Bahia - BR.
Coleta de serrapilheira submetida a extrator de Winkler.
8-10 mm long.
A single dealate queen was found in a small wash, probably a straggler from a daytime/morning flight. It appears to be the same species as the first phoretica queen found in Arizona, but it is difficult to tell without proper specimen photos for both of them, as a lot of specific features seem to be very dependent on the angle. There are some minor (although probably not notable) differences. Specifically the hair length on the head, mesoscutellar disc, and gaster (maybe). Possibly also the antennal scape length.
Didn't believe my eyes when I first saw it, I never expected that they would actually go this far north. This opens up their range a whole lot, although I do think that they'd still be more common in the south.
Not associated with any other ants, but hyatti, xerophila, and micula are the most common (or at least most conspicuous) Pheidole species in the area. P. rhea may also be present, but I haven't seen them here yet.
Unidentified species. It might be S. lusitanica or more probably S. oraniensis. In the last slide it is shown next to a queen of type S. fugax, which is notably bigger than this unidentified species. The queen died within an hour of collection, presumably infected by a parasite or intoxicated.
Credit for collection: G. Dias (@portugalantworld). Published in request and with permission.
exploding ants here looked very odd, but the unsmmetryical pattern seems to be the mandibular glands not like some problem with developments or sth
I don't think your mates appreciating what youre holding
In rotting log. Huge colony with probably 300+ workers.
Undescribed species, found in the leaf litter/soil layer by the winkler extractor method (without killing solution, collecting the animals alive)
Series of 10 photos of the tiny ant Acanthognathus ocellatus (3.2mm *) maintained in laboratory. Highlighted, worker on dry leaf. Other photos, record of the small colony seen under a stereomicroscope, highlighting four chambers excavated in plasterboard (one of which is the development of offspring) and accesses, all covered by a microscopy slide to visualize behavior.
Research: Dr. Benoit Jean Bernard Jahyny /UNIVASF
Consultancy and species determination: Dr. Jacques Delabie / Mirmecology Laboratory- CPDC/CEPLAC and PPGZOO-UESC; Dr. Cléa Mariano / Laboratory of Social Arthropods / CPDC/CEPLAC and PPGZOO-UESC.
Review: Dr. Arnildo Pott / Inbio / UFMS
(*) https://www.antwiki.org/wiki/Acanthognathus_ocellatus#Biology
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Série de 10 fotos da minúscula formiga Acanthognathus ocellatus (3,2mm*) mantida em laboratório. Em destaque, operária sobre folha seca. Demais fotos, registro da pequena colônia vista sob estereomicroscópio, destacando-se quatro câmaras escavadas em placa de gesso (sendo uma de desenvolvimento da prole) e acessos, todos cobertos por uma lâmina de microscopia para visualização de comportamento.
Pesquisa: Dr. Benoit Jean Bernard Jahyny /UNIVASF
Consultoria e determinação da espécie: Dr. Jacques Delabie / Laboratório de Mirmecologia - CPDC/CEPLAC.; Dra. Cléa Mariano / Laboratório de Artrópodes Sociais/Programa de pós graduação em Zoologia, UESC, Ilhéus-BA.
(*) https://www.antwiki.org/wiki/Acanthognathus_ocellatus#Biology
An undescribed (this being the first documentation as far as I’m aware) social parasite of Solenopsis pergandei that strongly resembles its host but with several key differences: queens are half the size of S. pergandei queens, have a smaller gaster/eyes, longer hairs, and a larger head relative to thorax. Cooperates in colony foundation alongside freshly mated S. pergandei queens with no apparent aggression.
Yesterday, I submitted a supposed inquiline parasite (a gynandromorph individual, potentially) in interaction with a Pheidole sp. I searched the site again. I scanned for that ant, I didn't find the exact individual but I did collect three dead similar-looking ants as yesterday's from the water in bucket at the site.
Specimen 02
Found with @cheetolord02, his observation is linked here: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/149703302
Coletada a partir de serrapilheira submetida a extrator de winkler.
Coleta de serrapilheira submetida a extrator de Winkler.
Operárias carregando imaturas para fora do ninho. Registro após às 18h30.
Several Solenopsis workers found inside a Pheidole tepicana colony. Worker morphology appears to suggest S. phoretica-group; when compared to known workers of Solenopsis enigmatica (A phoretica-group species from Dominica known from queens and workers), certain similarities are noticeable, such as the sparse pilosity and 10-segmented antennae. 4 Solenopsis workers and a full series of Pheidole tepicana were collected, and will be properly pinned and imaged by Arizona State University soon. I will update this observation with those pictures once I get them.
In the wild, these ants were observed inside the nest chambers of Pheidole tepicana. One worker was observed carrying a pupa. These ants seemed to follow the trails of P. tepicana inside the nest. After collection, Pheidole tepicana workers were observed carrying the Solenopsis workers, who curled into a pupal position (4th image). Thanks to @mason_s for the high quality live images.
S. phoretica-group is not yet known from Arizona, nor have they been associated with P. tepicana.
Short video from the encounter with these ants in the wild: https://youtu.be/dOIiEoAoesc
A large colony was found under a rock nesting directly next to a Nyladeria sp. (austroccidua?) colony.
The colony had around 100 workers and a large amount of brood, all larvae of similar size. They were observed eating termites (Reticulitermes sp.) and Lasius sitiens brood in captivity.
A very cool species to see in real life. Thanks to @cheetolord02 for spotting it.
Not the best of pictures but I found this sp all over my land and surroundings. I have a colony of them and they are by far the prettiest sp out there. Ive added some pictures of what a colony of them looks like.