Nylanderia

Last updated

Nylanderia
Temporal range: 42–0  Ma
Ꞓ
O
S
D
C
P
T
J
K
Pg
N
Middle Eocene – Recent
Paratrechina vividula casent0059600 profile 1.jpg
N. vividula worker
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Formicinae
Tribe: Lasiini
Genus: Nylanderia
Emery, 1906
Type species
Formica vividula
Nylander, 1846
Diversity [1]
110 species
Synonyms

AndragnathusEmery, 1922 [2]

N. flavipes Nylanderia flavipes. Senna.jpg
N. flavipes

Nylanderia is a large genus of ants in the subfamily Formicinae. The genus has a nearly cosmopolitan distribution with species inhabiting a wide array of habitats in almost all geographic regions. Nylanderia, currently containing over 110 species, is an ecologically important genus, with some species reported as being invasive. The ants are small to medium in size and range in color from pale yellow to black.

Contents

Taxonomy

The genus was first described as a subgenus of Prenolepis by Emery (1906), a status he revised a couple of years later when he placed it as subgenus of Paratrechina (Emery, 1925). [3] [4] Wheeler (1936) raised Nylanderia to genus, where it remained until Brown (1973) provisionally placed it as a junior synonym of Paratrechina, a status which was later confirmed by Trager (1984). [5] [6] [7] Nylanderia was finally revived from synonymy and restored at the rank of genus by LaPolla, Brady & Shattuck (2010). [2]

Until 2010, most Nylanderia species were placed in the genus Paratrechina, but molecular phylogenic studies and reassessment of morphological characters prompted resurrection of Nylanderia as a valid genus. [8] [9] The genus currently comprises over 108 extant species and two fossil species: [1] N. pygmaea from Eocene age Baltic amber and N. vetula from Miocene age Dominican amber. [9] [10]

Nylanderia pygmaea fossil from Baltic amber, mid Eocene. Nylanderia pygmaea NHMW-WBE5-3 profile.jpg
Nylanderia pygmaea fossil from Baltic amber, mid Eocene.

Phylogenetics

After examining the phylogenetic relationships of Nylanderia and related genera, LaPolla, Brady & Shattuck (2011) placed Nylanderia within a well-defined Prenolepis-genus group containing Euprenolepis , Nylanderia, Paratrechina ( sensu stricto ), Paraparatrechina, Prenolepis, and Pseudolasius . They found that Paratrechina ( sensu lato ) was polyphyletic and segregated into three distinct, robust clades: Paratrechina (sensu stricto), Paraparatrechina, and Nylanderia. The sister taxon to Nylanderia was found to be a clade containing three genera: (Pseudolasius + (Euprenolepis + Paratrechina)). [8] [11]

Cladogram of the Prenolepis genus-group based on LaPolla, Brady & Shattuck (2010) and LaPolla, Kallal & Brady (2012): [11] [12] [lower-alpha 1]

Zatania

Paraparatrechina

Nylanderia

Pseudolasius

Euprenolepis

Paratrechina

Distribution

Reported distribution of the invasive Rasberry crazy ant (Nylanderia fulva) in the United States Reported distribution of the Rasberry Crazy Ant in the United States - journal.pone.0045314.g001.png
Reported distribution of the invasive Rasberry crazy ant (Nylanderia fulva) in the United States

Nylanderia is a large, ecologically important ant genus with a nearly cosmopolitan distribution. The ants are found in all geographic regions (with the exception of high-latitude areas), but is notably absent from Europe. [9] [13] Species inhabit a wide array of habitats from deserts to rainforests, although they reach their highest species diversity in forested and warmer environments. Nylanderia species are among the most abundant ant species in many places where they occur. For example, Ward (2000) found that Nylanderia (recorded as Paratrechina) was the fifth-most frequently encountered ant genus in leaf-litter samples from around the world. [9] [14]

As pests

Several Nylanderia species have been reported as being tramps. For example, N. bourbonica and N. vaga are commonly encountered in the tropics and subtropics and have spread across large areas. Infestations can involve smaller areas, although population sizes can be very large, as with N. pubens (Caribbean crazy ant) in the Caribbean. A Nylanderia species has invaded Texas and several other states in Southeastern United States in a sudden, explosive outbreak. Several other species in the genus have also been reported as introduced outside their native range, including N. clandestina , N. flavipes , N. fulva (Rasberry crazy), N. guatemalensis , and N. vividula . [15]

Biology

They are efficient and rapid foragers and often find resources (e.g. baits) first to which they can recruit rapidly, but rarely can defend a resource against other ants that arrive later to baits. Most are conspicuous, epigaeic (living or foraging primarily above ground) generalist species that form large, polydomous nests. Frequent nest movements are known for some species, especially those that nest in leaf litter and rotting wood. For example, N. bourbonica can nest opportunistically in temporary sites that are habitable for only a few days or weeks. The small (125–150 individuals) colonies of N. faisonensis also inhabit ephemeral locations in the leaf litter or soil of hardwood forests. A few more morphologically specialized species exist, such as the sand-dwelling N. arenivaga and N. phantasma from the southeastern United States, several small-eyed species such as N. microps from Puerto Rico, and several undescribed species from Australia. At least three currently undescribed workerless social parasites are known from the eastern United States. [9]

In temperate areas, most Nylanderia species produce reproductives during the summer, which overwinter in the nest to then emerge early the following spring; Nylanderia species are typically among the first ant reproductives to fly after Prenolepis . However, little is known about the reproductive biology of many Nylanderia species, especially those inhabiting the tropics. Cases of polygyny have been noted among Nylanderia species, but how widespread this condition is within the genus remains unclear. [16] At least one species, N. flavipes, is somewhat unusual among ants in having populations that are both monogynous (single queen) and polygynous (multiple queens). [16] [17]

Description

Paratrechina pubens casent0104254 profile 1.jpg
Paratrechina pubens casent0173236 profile 1.jpg
Paratrechina pubens casent0173237 profile 1.jpg
Worker, queen and male ( Nylanderia pubens )

Nylanderia ants are small to medium-sized (generally between 1 and 4 mm in total length) and range in color from pale yellow to black. [9]

Workers

Workers are generally monomorphic, although some species are variable in size, with a possible example of worker polymorphism observed in N. amblyops from Madagascar. [11] Nylanderia workers can generally be easily distinguished from other formicines based on the presence of six mandibular teeth, erect macrosetae on the scapes and legs, and paired erect macrosetae on the pronotum and mesonotum. These morphological features are considered synapomorphies for the genus, and will effectively separate this genus from other genera. Overall, the body shape for most Nylanderia workers is compact and robust in that the mesosomal regions are generally short (as measured against the long axis of the body) and relatively high when compared to a species such as Paratrechina longicornis . There are, however, several species where the mesosoma is more elongated, superficially resembling Paratrechina longicornis. Long erect macrosetae are almost never found on the dorsal face of the propodeum, with one known exception. However, species with an elongated mesosoma or short propodeal macrosetae do possess six mandibular teeth, erect macrosetae on the scapes and legs, and paired erect macrosetae on the pronotum and mesonotum which support their placement within Nylanderia based on the definition of the genus proposed above. Additionally, when macrosetae are present on the propodeum, they show a pattern generally similar to that found on the pronotum and mesonotum of Nylanderia, with the macrosetae being numerous and of varying lengths. This is in contrast to related genera, for example Paraparatrechina , where the macrosetae are limited to a single, distinct pair. Given the differences in the patterns of these macrosetae among these genera, and when considering additional characters as outlined above, LaPolla, Brady & Shattuck 2011 (2011) interpreted the presence of macrosetae on the propodeum within Nylanderia as having arisen independently from those observed in other closely related genera. [18]

Queens

The main features used to distinguish Nylanderia queens from other Prenolepis genus-group genera come primarily from the mandibles and scapes. Like workers, Nylanderia queens have erect macrosetae on their scapes. However, the macrosetae are often not as distinct as in workers because the macrosetae are often shorter and usually surrounded by a thick layer of decumbent pubescence. When considering genera such as Euprenolepis and Pseudolasius in which queens also possess macrosetae on the scapes, differences in mandibular tooth count will distinguish Nylanderia queens. Five teeth are present in Euprenolepis queens and five or fewer in Pseudolasius, while Nylanderia possesses six (or rarely seven) teeth. In other genera such as Paratrechina and Paraparatrechina , the queens have no erect macrosetae on their scapes. For Prenolepis, if erect macrosetae are present on the scapes, the more posterior placement of the eyes distinguishes them from Nylanderia. [19]

Males

Males of Nylanderia can be more difficult to distinguish from other Prenolepis genus-group genera because considerable variation occurs in the genitalic structures at the species level for all genera, and features such as mandibular dentition are not useful since dentition is always reduced in males from that observed in workers and queens (usually to one or two teeth). The scapes can be useful in separating male Nylanderia from some Prenolepis genus-group genera since they possess macrosetae similar to those found in workers and queens, but at reduced numbers. Paratrechina and Paraparatrechina males, like workers and queens of these genera, never have macrosetae on their scapes. In general, Nylanderia males have subtriangular parameres, but similar-shaped parameres are also seen in some species of Euprenolepis, Prenolepis, and Pseudolasius. Both Euprenolepis and Pseudolasius have reduced labial and maxillary palp numbers from the more typical six maxillary and four labial palps observed in other Prenolepis genus-group genera. For Prenolepis the separation of males from Nylanderia is unclear, largely because for the vast majority of Prenolepis species the males are unknown. Separation of the widespread North American Prenolepis imparis from Nylanderia is based on the extremely short scapes (not much longer than the head) that lack macrosetae. [19]

Species

Notes

  1. ↑ In LaPolla, Brady & Shattuck (2011), Zatania had not yet been formally described and was listed as Caribbean "Prenolepis". [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Formicinae</span> Subfamily of ants

The Formicinae are a subfamily within the Formicidae containing ants of moderate evolutionary development.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myrmicinae</span> Subfamily of ants with cosmopolitan distribution whose pupae do not create cocoons

Myrmicinae is a subfamily of ants, with about 140 extant genera; their distribution is cosmopolitan. The pupae lack cocoons. Some species retain a functional sting. The petioles of Myrmicinae consist of two nodes. The nests are permanent and in soil, rotting wood, under stones, or in trees.

<i>Paratrechina</i> Genus of ants

Paratrechina is one of seven ant genera in the Prenolepis genus-group from the subfamily Formicinae. Six species are included in Paratrechina; one of which, the longhorn crazy ant, is a widespread, pantropical pest.

<i>Pseudomyrmex</i> Genus of ants

Pseudomyrmex is a genus of stinging, wasp-like ants in the subfamily Pseudomyrmecinae. They are large-eyed, slender ants, found mainly in tropical and subtropical regions of the New World.

<i>Acropyga</i> Genus of ants

Acropyga is a genus of small formicine ants. Some species can be indirect pests. A. acutiventris, which is found from India to Australia, tends subterranean, root-feeding mealybugs of the species Xenococcus annandalei. Living, gravid females are carried in the jaws of A. acutiventris queens during their nuptial flight, to establish the symbiotic association in founding colonies. Other Acropyga species have relationships with different species of mealybugs, and it could be a trait common to the whole genus.

<i>Nylanderia pubens</i> Species of ant

Nylanderia pubens is a species of ant of the genus Nylanderia, commonly called the Caribbean crazy ant. It was originally described as Paratrechina pubens from Saint Vincent, Lesser Antilles. This species was moved from Paratrechina to the genus Nylanderia in 2010.

<i>Aenictus</i> Genus of ants

Aenictus is a large army ant genus distributed in the Old World tropics and subtropics. It contains about 181 species, making it one of the larger ant genera of the world.

<i>Anochetus</i> Genus of ants

Anochetus is a genus of small, carnivorous ants found in the tropics and subtropics throughout the world.

<i>Dolichoderus</i> Genus of ants

Dolichoderus is a genus of ants found worldwide.

<i>Technomyrmex</i> Genus of ants

Technomyrmex is a genus of ants in the subfamily Dolichoderinae. With 98 species, it is one of the largest and most diverse ant genera in the Dolichoderinae. The genus distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical zones with most species occurring in the Oriental-Malesian and Afrotropical regions. One species, Technomyrmex albipes is a tramp ant now widespread throughout the tropics due to human activities.

<i>Carebara</i> Genus of ants

Carebara is a genus of ants in the subfamily Myrmicinae. It is one of the largest myrmicine genera with more than 200 species distributed worldwide in the tropics and the Afrotropical region. Many of them are very tiny cryptic soil and leaf-litter inhabitants. They nest in rotten wood to which the bark is still adherent in the Afrotropical region, or may be lestobiotic nesting near other ant species. Some species are known to exist parasitically within termite nests. Little is known about the biology of the genus, but they are notable for the vast difference in size between queens and workers.

<i>Euprenolepis</i> Genus of ants

Euprenolepis is a Southeast Asian genus of ants in the subfamily Formicinae with eight recognized species.

<i>Paraparatrechina</i> Genus of ants

Paraparatrechina is a genus of small ants in the subfamily Formicinae. The genus contains 31 species distributed in the tropics of Africa, Asia and Australia.

<i>Pseudolasius</i> Genus of ants

Pseudolasius is a genus of ants in the subfamily Formicinae. The genus is known from southern Asia to northern Australia, where it appears to be restricted to tropical areas. These ants are commonly known as twig ants due to their habit of nesting in twigs or hollow stems.

<i>Prenolepis</i> Genus of ants

Prenolepis is a genus of ants in the subfamily Formicinae. Most species are found in southeastern Asia and southern China, but the genus has a wide distribution with species known from North America, southern Europe, Anatolia, Cuba, Haiti, and West Africa.

<i>Paratrechina zanjensis</i> Species of ant

Paratrechina zanjensis is an African species of ant in the genus Paratrechina. It is one of two species in the genus, the other being the longhorn crazy ant.

<i>Nylanderia pygmaea</i> Extinct species of ant

Nylanderia pygmaea is an extinct species of formicid in the ant subfamily Formicinae known from fossils found in the Prussian Formation of the Baltic region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lasiini</span> Tribe of ants

Lasiini is a tribe of ants in the family Formicidae. There are about 10 genera and more than 450 described species in Lasiini.

References

  1. 1 2 Bolton, B. (2014). "Nylanderia". AntCat. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
  2. 1 2 LaPolla, Brady & Shattuck 2010b, p. 126
  3. ↑ Emery 1906, p. 133
  4. ↑ Emery 1925, p. 217
  5. ↑ Wheeler 1936, p. 210
  6. ↑ Brown 1973, p. 193
  7. ↑ Trager 1984, p. 51
  8. 1 2 LaPolla, Brady & Shattuck 2010b, p. 121
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 LaPolla, Brady & Shattuck 2011, p. 1
  10. ↑ LaPolla & Dlussky 2010a, p. 258
  11. 1 2 3 LaPolla, Brady & Shattuck 2011, p. 4
  12. 1 2 LaPolla, Kallal & Brady 2012, p. 204
  13. ↑ LaPolla, Brady & Shattuck 2010b, p. 127
  14. ↑ Ward 2000, p. 208
  15. ↑ LaPolla, Brady & Shattuck 2011, p. 3
  16. 1 2 LaPolla, Brady & Shattuck 2011, pp. 1–2
  17. ↑ Ichinose 1986, p. 208
  18. ↑ LaPolla, Brady & Shattuck 2011, pp. 6–8
  19. 1 2 LaPolla, Brady & Shattuck 2011, p. 8

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.