Sri Lankan relict ant
| Sri Lankan relict ant | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Aneuretus simoni worker | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Aneuretinae |
| Genus: |
Aneuretus Emery, 1893 |
| Species: | A. simoni |
| Binomial name | |
|
Aneuretus simoni Emery, 1893 |
|
The Sri Lankan relict ant (Aneuretus simoni) is a species of evolutionarily ancient ant placed in a tribe of its own within the Formicidae family. The genus is monotypic, with the only species endemic to Sri Lanka, where it is known from just a few locations. It is one of the few ant species considered endangered.
The species is the only extant genus in the tribe Aneuretini (other members include the extinct Protaneuretus, Paraneretus, and Mianeuretus). They are believed to be intermediate in their phylogenetic position between the Myrmeciinae-Ponerinae and the Dolichoderinae. The workers show very distinct dimorphism with "majors" being much larger than the "minors" and lacking few workers intermediate in size. The minor workers are found in the largest numbers within a nest and have small compound eyes having only about 30 ommatidia (units within the compound eye). The antennae have 12 segments, with the segments increasing gradually in size from the base to the tip. The clypeus is broad and flat, lacking any central ridge. The mouthparts show dolichoderine affinities. Outward-facing spines occur on the propodeum. The petiole node is separated from the anterior peduncle by swellings on the sides and tops. They have a well-developed sting that is similar in structure to that of the Dolichoderinae. Workers are yellow to orange in colour and the surface has striations running transversely. The queen is larger than the major and has reduced propodeal spines and a much broader head than the major worker. The pupae are characteristic in being enclosed in cocoons. They are predatory and forage mainly on the ground in leaf litter. Major workers are rare – at most two per colony. The social organization of the colony was found to be similar to that of the Dolichoderinae.
...
Wikipedia