This study investigates the evolutionary history of a hyperdiverse clade, the ant subfamily Myrmicinae (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), based on analyses of a data matrix comprising 251 species and 11 nuclear gene fragments. Under both maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods of inference, we recover a robust phylogeny that reveals six major clades of Myrmicinae, here treated as newly defined tribes and occur- ring as a pectinate series: Myrmicini, Pogonomyrmecini trib.n., Stenammini, Solenop- sidini, Attini and Crematogastrini. Because we condense the former 25 myrmicine tribes into a new six-tribe scheme, membership in some tribes is now notably different, espe- cially regarding Attini. We demonstrate that the monotypic genus Ankylomyrma is nei- ther in the Myrmicinae nor even a member of the more inclusive formicoid clade - rather it is a poneroid ant, sister to the genus Tatuidris (Agroecomyrmecinae). Several species-rich myrmicine genera are shown to be nonmonophyletic, including Pogono- myrmex, Aphaenogaster, Messor, Monomorium, Pheidole, Temnothorax andTetramor- ium. We propose a number of generic synonymies to partially alleviate these problems (senior synonym listed first): Pheidole = Anisopheidole syn.n. = Machomyrma syn.n.; Temnothorax = Chalepoxenus syn.n. = Myrmoxenus syn.n. = Protomognathus syn.n.; Tetramorium = Rhoptromyrmex syn.n. = Anergates syn.n. = Teleutomyrmex syn.n. The genus Veromessor stat.r. is resurrected for the New World species previously placed in Messor; Syllophopsis stat.r. is resurrected from synonymy under Monomorium to contain the species in the hildebrandti group;Trichomyrmex stat.r. is resurrected from synonymy underMonomorium to contain the species in the scabriceps- anddestruc- tor-groups; and the monotypic genus Epelysidris stat.r. is reinstated for Monomorium brocha. Bayesian divergence dating indicates that the crown group Myrmicinae origi- nated about 98.6 Ma (95% highest probability density 87.9-109.6 Ma) but the six major clades are considerably younger, with age estimates ranging from 52.3 to 71.1 Ma. Although these and other suprageneric taxa arose mostly in the middle Eocene or earlier, a number of prominent, species-rich genera, such as Pheidole, Cephalotes, Strumigenys, Crematogaster andTetramorium, have estimated crown group origins in the late Eocene or Oligocene. Most myrmicine species diversity resides in the two sister clades, Attini and Crematogastrini, which are estimated to have originated and diversified extensively in the Neotropics and Paleotropics, respectively. The newly circumscribed Myrmicini is Holarctic in distribution, and ancestral range estimation suggests a Nearctic origin. The Pogonomyrmecini and Solenopsidini are reconstructed as being Neotropical in origin,

/pdf/the-evolution-of-myrmicine-ants-phylogeny-and-biogeography-5axjn54tbh.pdf

The evolution of myrmicine ants: phylogeny and biogeography of a hyperdiverse ant clade (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The metapleural gland (MG) is a complex glandular structure unique to ants, suggesting a critical role in their origin and ecological success. We synthesize the current understanding of the adaptive function, morphology, evolutionary history, and chemical properties of the MG. Two functions of the MG, sanitation and chemical defence, have received the strongest empirical support; two additional possible functions, recognition odour and territorial marking, are less well supported. The design of the MG is unusual for insects; glandular secretions are stored in a rigid, non-compressible invagination of the integument and the secretion is thought to ooze out passively through the non-closable opening of the MG or is groomed off by the legs and applied to target surfaces. MG loss has occurred repeatedly among the ants, particularly in the subfamilies Formicinae and Myrmicinae, and the MG is more commonly absent in males than in workers. MG chemistry has been characterized mostly in derived ant lineages with unique biologies (e.g. leafcutter ants, fire ants), currently precluding any inferences about MG chemistry at the origin of the ants. A synthetic approach integrating functional morphology, phylogenetic transitions and chemical ecology of the MGs of both the derived and the unstudied early-branching (basal) ant lineages is needed to elucidate the evolutionary origin and diversification of the MG of ants.

http://www.sbs.utexas.edu/muelleru/pubs/Yek-Mueller2011%20EarlyOnline.pdf

The metapleural gland of ants.

This study investigates the effects of pederin, a hemolymph toxin that is accumulated in the eggs of most Paederus females, on potential arthropod predators of the offspring of P fuscipes and P riparius Insects generally do not respond to pederin present in the prey Paederus larvae are sufficiently agile to escape from these predators by running away, and the eggs are hidden by the females Unlike insects, (wolf) spiders are deterred by prey with pederin They turn away from larvae they have already captured and exhibit cleansing behavior Larvae containing pederin survive the attacks of spiders without damage, whereas larvae descended from females that do not transfer pederin into their eggs are often killed and eaten In the case of sudden attacks by spiders, the larvae have no chance of escape Their survival thus depends on chemical defense These investigations show for the first time why pederin might be of considerable importance for Paederus in the field

Differential efficacy of toxic pederin in deterring potential arthropod predators of Paederus (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) offspring

Catalogue of ants of Europe, the Mediterranean Basin and adjacent regions is given with country data, list of synonyms, and comments. From the area 1261 species are rocorded. All infraspecific names, including subspecies names, are treated as synonyms although in future studies many of them can be raised to species level. Table with distribution of ant species in major regions of Europe and the Mediterranean Subregion is presented. From Europe 622 species have been recorded, from North Africa 441, Middle East 256, Turkey and transcaucasian countries 358, Iran 165, and Arabian Peninsula 304.

Catalogue of ants of Europe, the Mediterranean Basin and adjacent regions (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).

It is unclear why some species become successful invaders whilst others fail, and whether invasive success depends on preadaptations already present in the native range or on characters evolving de-novo after introduction. Ants are among the worst invasive pests, with Lasius neglectus and its rapid spread through Europe and Asia as the most recent example of a pest ant that may become a global problem. Here, we present the first integrated study on behavior, morphology, population genetics, chemical recognition and parasite load of L. neglectus and its non-invasive sister species L. turcicus .W e find that L. neglectus expresses the same supercolonial syndrome as other invasive ants, a social system that is characterized by mating without dispersal and large networks of cooperating nests rather than smaller mutually hostile colonies. We conclude that the invasive success of L. neglectus relies on a combination of parasite-release following introduction and preadaptations in mating system, body-size, queen number and recognition efficiency that evolved long before introduction. Our results challenge the notion that supercolonial organization is an inevitable consequence of low genetic variation for chemical recognition cues in small invasive founder populations. We infer that low variation and limited volatility in cuticular hydrocarbon profiles already existed in the native range in combination with low dispersal and a highly viscous population structure. Human transport to relatively disturbed urban areas thus became the decisive factor to induce parasite release, a well established general promoter of invasiveness in non-social animals and plants, but understudied in invasive social insects.

/pdf/the-evolution-of-invasiveness-in-garden-ants-2qu4wcf689.pdf

The evolution of invasiveness in garden ants.

A revision of the Palaearctic members of the ant subgenus Lasius s.str. is presented the fundamentals of which are application of Numeric Morphology-Based Alpha-Taxonomy (NUMOBAT), investigation of type specimens of 58 taxa, critical evaluation of original descriptions of further 22 taxa, and decision-making based on the GAGE species concept. Excluding nomina nuda and unavailable names, 80 taxa are considered which divide into 56 recognized good species (with 16 of these described here as new), 12 junior synonyms, 11 incertae sedis, and one name representing a F1 hybrid. Eighteen phenotypic characters – seven shape, eight seta and two pubescence characters as well as absolute size – were recorded numerically in 4900 worker individuals originating from 1722 nest or spot samples. The subdivision of the subgenera Lasius s.str. Ruzsky 1913, Cautolasius Wilson 1955, Dendrolasius Ruzsky 1913, Chthonolasius Ruzsky 1913 and Austrolasius Faber 1967 is clearly confirmed by morphological data with each of the 99 recognized Palaearctic species being unambiguously assignable to either subgenus. A key to the 56 Palaearctic species of Lasius s.str., subdivided into five geographic regions, is presented. All species are depicted as z-stack photos in two standard positions. The new species Lasius precursor sp. nov. is proposed as a model for transition from a largely monogynousmonodomous social type (exemplified by the sister species Lasius turcicus Santschi 1921) to a supercolonial type (exemplified by the closely related species Lasius neglectus Van Loon et al. 1990).

A taxonomic revision of the Palaearctic members of the ant subgenus Lasius s. str. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

/pdf/a-taxonomic-revision-of-the-myrmica-species-of-europe-asia-yf3250sqjv.pdf

A Taxonomic Revision of the Myrmica Species of Europe, Asia Minor, and Caucasus (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

A Revision of the European Species of the Ant Subgenus Chthonolasius (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

/pdf/the-taxonomical-and-ecological-status-of-lasius-myops-forel-b52fgv5bbi.pdf

The taxonomical and ecological status of Lasius myops Forel (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) and first description of its males.

/pdf/a-method-for-differentiation-of-the-female-castes-of-34rtmw3wgt.pdf

A method for differentiation of the female castes of Tapinoma ambiguum Emery and Tapinoma erraticum (Latr.) and remarks on their distribution in Europe north of the Mediterranean region.

B. Seifert

Papers

A taxonomic revision of the Palaearctic members of the ant subgenus Lasius s. str. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

A Taxonomic Revision of the Myrmica Species of Europe, Asia Minor, and Caucasus (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

A Revision of the European Species of the Ant Subgenus Chthonolasius (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

The taxonomical and ecological status of Lasius myops Forel (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) and first description of its males.

A method for differentiation of the female castes of Tapinoma ambiguum Emery and Tapinoma erraticum (Latr.) and remarks on their distribution in Europe north of the Mediterranean region.