Ants : A Visual Guide

Dolichoderinae 28 genera, 714 species (136 species) Single petiole and slit-like orifice used for chemical defense. Most speciose genera are Dolichoderus, Technomyrmex, Azteca, and Iridomyrmex. Dorylinae 27 genera, 749 species (8 species) Robust sting. Most speciose genera are Aenictus, Neivamyrmex, and Lioponera. Formicinae 52 genera, 3,244 species (171 species) This subfamily contains 23 percent of the world's ant species. Single petiole and acidopore. Over a thousand species are Camponotus. Myrmicinae 147 genera, 7,075 species (187 species) Over half of the world's species are in this subfamily. Petiole and postpetiole nodes. Pheidole, Strumigenys, and Tetramorium are most speciose genera. Ponerinae 50 genera, 1,267 species (87 species) Single petiole segment and usually a robust sting. Most diverse genera are Leptogenys, Hypoponera, and Anochetus. Subfamilies Diversity Notes Agroecomyrmecinae genera, 2 species (3 species) 2 living species, Ankylomyrma coronacantha and Tatuidris tatusia Amblyoponinae genera, 143 species (7 species) Highest diversity in Fulakora, Stigmatomma, and Prionopelta Aneuretinae genus, 1 species (12 species) Single living species, Aneuretus simoni, from Sri Lanka Apomyrminae genus, 1 species 1 species, Apomyrma stygia, from West Africa Ectatomminae genera, 302 species (14 species) Most diverse genera are Gnamptogenys and Rhytidoponera Leptanillinae genera, 70 species Most diverse genus is Leptanilla Martialinae genus, 1 species 1 species, Martialis heureka, from Brazil Myrmeciinae genera, 94 species (22 species) All living species are in Myrmecia (93 spp.) except 1 species in Nothomyrmecia Paraponerinae genus, 1 species (1 species) 1 living species, Paraponera clavata, and 1 fossil species, Paraponera dieteri Proceratiinae genera, 165 species (12 species) 3 genera are Proceratium, Discothyrea, and Probolomyrmex Pseudomyrmecinae genera, 235 species (20 species) 3 genera are Pseudomyrmex, Tetraponera, and the singlespecies genus Myrcidris Known only from fossils A B O V E : Within a nest, adult worker ants are found alongside a queen as well as juvenile stages of the colony known as the brood (eggs, larvae, and pupae). Subfamilies Diversity Notes Armaniinae 2 genera, 12 species Genera are Armania and Pseudarmania Brownimeciinae 1 genus, 1 species Monotypic genus with 1 species, Brownimecia clavata Formiciinae 2 genera, 6 species Genera are Formicium and Titanomyrma Haidomyrmecinae 10 genera, 16 species All genera have 1 species except for Ceratomyrmex (2 spp.), Haidomyrmex (4 spp.), and Linguamyrmex (3 spp.) Sphecomyrminae 4 genera, 12 species Gerontoformica is the most diverse genus (9 species) Zigrasimeciinae 3 genera, 6 species Genera are Boltonimecia (1 sp.), Protozigrasimecia (1 sp.), and Zigrasimecia (4 spp.) M AP OF BIO GEO GR APHIC RE AL MS Nearctic Areas shaded green are known to contain high species diversity that is generally concentrated in tropical forests. Neotropical

A richly illustrated natural history of ants, coveringtheir diversity, ecology, anatomy, behavior, and morePlentiful and familiar, ants make up an estimated one-third of theworld's insect biomass and can be found in virtually every part ofthe globe, from rain forest canopies to city sidewalks. But theirimportance is about more than numbers: ants are fundamental speciesin a range of habitats and their interactions with plants, fungi,and other animals ensure the survival of many fragile and complexecosystems. This beautifully illustrated book explores theextraordinary diversity of ants and offers insights into theirelaborate social systems, investigating the key collective andcompetitive behaviors that operate within their varied colonystructures. Featuring exceptional close-up photographs and clearlyorganized thematic chapters, the book covers anatomy, evolution,life cycle, ecology, and other important topics. Each chapter alsofeatures profiles of standout genera, chosen for their fascinatingcharacteristics, including Leafcutter Ants, who build nestscontaining up to 7,000 chambers; Pugnacious Ants whose colonies candestroy populations of crabs within hours; and Honeypot Ants whoseworker caste store food in their stomachs for other colony membersto consume. Drawing on current research, Ants offers aninviting and accessible introduction to these remarkableinsects.

• Includes more than 200 stunning color photographs, plusinfographics and diagrams
• Presents full profiles of 42 iconic genera from across theworld
• Features clearly structured thematic chapters

A richly illustrated natural history of ants, covering their diversity, ecology, anatomy, behavior, and more Plentiful and familiar, ants make up an estimated one-third of the world's insect biomass and can be found in virtually every part of the globe, from rain forest canopies to city sidewalks. But their importance is about more than numbers: ants are fundamental species in a range of habitats and their interactions with plants, fungi, and other animals ensure the survival of many fragile and complex ecosystems. This beautifully illustrated book explores the extraordinary diversity of ants and offers insights into their elaborate social systems, investigating the key collective and competitive behaviors that operate within their varied colony structures. Featuring exceptional close-up photographs and clearly organized thematic chapters, the book covers anatomy, evolution, life cycle, ecology, and other important topics. Each chapter also features profiles of standout genera, chosen for their fascinating characteristics, including Leafcutter Ants, who build nests containing up to 7,000 chambers; Pugnacious Ants whose colonies can destroy populations of crabs within hours; and Honeypot Ants whose worker caste store food in their stomachs for other colony members to consume. Drawing on current research, Ants offers an inviting and accessible introduction to these remarkable insects. Includes more than 200 stunning color photographs, plus infographics and diagrams Presents full profiles of 42 iconic genera from across the world Features clearly structured thematic chapters A richly illustrated natural history of ants, covering their diversity, ecology, anatomy, behavior, and more Plentiful and familiar, ants make up an estimated one-third of the world’s insect biomass and can be found in virtually every part of the globe, from rainforest canopies to city sidewalks. But their importance is about more than numbers: ants are fundamental species in a range of habitats, their interactions with plants, fungi, and other animals ensuring the survival of many fragile and complex ecosystems. This beautifully illustrated book explores the extraordinary diversity of ants and offers insights into their elaborate social systems, investigating the key collective and competitive behaviors that operate within their varied colony structures. Featuring exceptional close-up photographs and clearly organized thematic chapters, the book covers anatomy, evolution, life cycle, ecology, and other important topics. Each chapter also features profiles of stand-out genera, chosen for their fascinating characteristics, including Leafcutter Ants who build nests containing up to 7,000 chambers, Pugnacious Ants whose colonies can destroy populations of crabs within hours, and Honeypot Ants whose worker caste store food in their stomachs for other colony members to consume. Drawing on current research, Ants offers an inviting and accessible introduction to these remarkable insects. Includes more than 200 stunning color photographs, plus infographics and diagrams Presents full profiles of 42 iconic genera from across the world Features clearly structured thematic chapters CONTENTS INTRODUCING THE ANTS Chapter 1 WHAT IS AN ANT? Chapter 2 EVOLUTION AND DIVERSITY Chapter 3 LIFE HISTORY, REPRODUCTION, AND DEVELOPMENT Chapter 4 BEHAVIOR Chapter 5 ECOLOGY Chapter 6 ANTS AND PEOPLE GLOSSARY FURTHER READING INDEX PICTURE CREDITS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS