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Issue: Vol. 20: 20 Dec. 2001
Type: Article
Published: 2001-12-22
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.20.1.1
Page range: 1–20
Abstract views: 85
PDF downloaded: 5

The socially parasitic ant genus Strongylognathus Mayr in North Africa (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Institut für Zoologie, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 3, D-64287 Darmstadt, Germany Present addresses School of Tropical Biology, Department of Zoology & Tropical Ecology, James Cook University, Townsville 4811, Queensland, Australia
Hessisches Landesmuseum Darmstadt, Zoologische Abteilung, Friedensplatz 1, D-64287 Darmstadt, Germany
Hymenoptera Myrmicinae Tetramoriini Strongylognathus afer social parasitism ecology distribution allozymes

Abstract

Morphological examination of Strongylognathus specimens from 14 of 15 known sites in Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco revealed that only one species occurs in that part of the Palaearctic region. S. foreli Emery, 1922 falls into synonymy with S. afer Emery, 1884. Redescriptions of all morphs and allozyme data are provided. Four new records of S. afer are presented from Tunisia which extend the known range in this country to more southerly regions and allow some conclusions on ecological requirements. Observations of slave raids in the laboratory showed that S. afer is a dulotic social parasite using Tetramorium semilaeve André, 1883 as its host. Taxonomy, distribution and life history are discussed with respect to related species of the Mediterranean region.

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