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Issue: Vol. 4450 No. 1: 23 Jul. 2018
Type: Article
Published: 2018-07-23
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4450.1.10
Page range: 135–141
Abstract views: 329
PDF downloaded: 197

Aphaenogaster gamagumayaa sp. nov.: the first troglobiotic ant from Japan (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae)

Goeku 2-8-3, Okinawa-shi, Okinawa, 904-0001 Japan.
The Kyushu University Museum, Hakozaki 6-10-1, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8581 Japan.
Hymenoptera cave-dwelling species guano island limestone cave Myrmicinae Okinawa-jima Ryukyu Archipelago troglobiont.

Abstract

Aphaenogaster gamagumayaa sp. nov., a new troglobiotic (true cave-dwelling) ant species, from a limestone cave on the island of Okinawa (Okinawa-jima), Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan is described. This is the first discovery of a troglobiotic ant in Japan and the second verified record worldwide. This species has only been found in a cave area with heavy guano deposits, and some worker ants were observed carrying guano. The evidence for categorizing this new species as troglobiont is discussed.

 

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