Advances in Hymenoptera Research in China (Formicidae)

About this book

Language: English

This collected works contains 40 English papers on ants in China. See table of contents for details and summaries.

Contents

1. Two new record genera and three new species of Formicidae (Hymenoptera) from China
Three new species of the family Formicidae were discovered in Xishuangbanna Nature Reserve of Southern Yunnan, China, i.e. Emeryopone melaina sp. nov. , Myopias conicara sp. nov.and Myrmoteras cuneonodum sp. nov. Emeryopone Forel and Myrmoteras Forel are newly recorded genera in China. Myopias Roger is recorded in mainland of China for the first time.

2. Philidris (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), a genus new to China, with description of a new species
The genus Philidris Shattuck is recorded in China for the first time, and a new species, i e. P. notiala sp. nov. is described in the present paper.

3. A new species and a new record species of the genus Leptothorax Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from China
A new species of the ant genus Leptothorax Mayr, i.e. L. zhengi sp. nov., is described. L. acervorum (Fabricius, 1793), newly recorded in China is reported. The new species resembles L. acervorum (Fabricius, 1793) but differs from the later by dorsum of head strongly longitudinally convex, very thick from lateral view; head, alitrunk, petiole and postpetiole coarsely reticulate and punctate.

4. A new species of the genus Paratopula Wheeler (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Tibet
A new species of the ant genus Paratopula Wheeler is described from Mêdog, Tibet, the south slope of Mt. Himalaya. A key to the 7 known species of the genus of the world based on worker caste is provided. The new species, P. zhengi sp. nov., is close to P. intermedia Sheela & Narendran, 1998, but frontal carinae fine and continuous, about as long as scapes; propodeal declivity straight, propodeal lobes short, truncated apically; anterodorsal corner of petiolar node roundly prominent; and the dorsum of alitrunk.

5. Molecular Phylogenetic Research on Five Genera of Formicidae
[Objective] The aim of this study was to explore the taxonomic status and genetic relationship of ants at molecular level.[Method] Applying Cyt B gene as a molecular marker, molecular phylogenetic analysis of 14 ant species of 5 genera (Camponotus, Formica, Polyrhachis, Pheidole and Crematogaster) in Formicidae was conducted. Partial sequences of Cyt B gene in 14 ant species were analyzed with software MEGA, Clustal X and PAUP, and phylogenetic trees were constructed by Neighbor-Joining method (NJ).

6. A systematic study on Chinese species of the ant genus Oligomyrmex Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Eighteen species of the ant genus Oligomyrmex Mayr have been recorded in China. Among them, 8 new species are described from Yunnan Province. Keys are provided for soldiers and workers respectively and the taxonomic history of Chinese species of the genus is reviewed.

7. Taxonomic study on Chinese members of the ant genus Strumigenys F. Smith (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from the mainland of China
The taxonomy of 8 species of the genus Strumigenys from mainland China is reviewed. One species, S. jiangxiensis sp. nov., is new to science and another, S. strygax Bolton, is a new record for China. Four species misidentified by Zhou in Ants of Guangxi and by Xu in A Study on the Biodiversity of Formicidae Ants of Xishuangbanna Nature Reserve are corrected.

8. A New Species of the Ant Genus Aenictu Shuckard (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Henan, China
A new species of the ant genus Aenictus Shuckard, A. henanensis, sp. nov., was collected from Yichuan County, Henan Province. The new species is close to A. lifuiae Terayama, but in profile view dorsum of propodeum straight, dorsum of petiolar node roundly convex, dorsum of propodeum entirely microreticulate. This new species is also close to A. ceylonicus (Mayr), but mandible with a large apical tooth, a small preapical tooth and followed by 5 indistinct minute denticles.

9. A new species of the genus Vollenhovia Mayr and a new record species of the genus Myrmica Latreille from China (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
In this paper a new species of the genus Vollenhovia Mayr and a new record species of the genus Myrmica Latreille are reported from western Hubei Province, China. The type specimens of the new species are deposited in the Insect Collection, Hubei Institute for Nationalities, China. Vollenhovia lucimandibula sp. nov. is similar to Vollenhovia emeryi Wheeler, but differs from the latter by a number of character.

10. Systematic study on the ant genus Tetraponera F. Smith (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of China
Thirteen species of the ant genus Tetraponera F. Smith are recorded in China. Among them, 5 new species are described from Yunnan Province, a new record species for China is reported from the province. A taxonomic key is prepared for the worker caste. The taxonomic history on Chinese species of the genus is reviewed. There are 13 known species.

11. Systematic study on the ant genus Pyramica Roger (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of China
Twenty six species of the ant genus Pyramica Roger are recorded in China. Three new species are described and one new combination, Pyramica dayui (Xu) is proposed. Geographic distribution is provided for each species. A key is prepared for 25 species based on worker caste. P. formosa (Terayama, Lin & Wu) is known only from queen caste. There are 26 known Chinese species.

12. A new species of the ant genus Leptothorax Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Hunan, China
A new species of the genus Leptothorax Mayr, i.e. L. hengshanensis sp. nov. is described in this paper. The new species is close to L. braunsi (Forel) but in profile the posterolateral propodeum angular; in dorsal view petiole node 1.5 times longer than broad; metanotal groove not impressed; gaster smooth and shining, not punctate. Because there was only one known species in the genus lacking propodeal armament before, this new species can be easily distinguished from other known species.

13. The Third Species of the Ant Genus Perissomyrmex Smith (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the World
A third species of the ant genus Perissomyrmex in the world, P. fissus sp. nov., is collected from Ailao Mountain Nature Reserve of Yunnan Province. Perissomyrmex is a newly recorded genus in China. A taxonomic key based on worker caste is provided for the 3 species: P. snyderi Smith, P. monticola de Andrade, and P. fissus sp. nov.

14. Taxonomic study of the ant genus Pheidole Westwood from Guangxi, with descriptions of three new species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Thirteen species of the ant genus Pheidole from Guangxi, China are treated, among them three are described as new, i.e. P. aphrasta sp. nov., P. longiscapa sp. nov., P. flaveria sp. nov., one species is newly recorded in China, i.e. P. feae Emery; one species is raised to new status, i.e. P. hongkongensis Wheeler. A key based on major worker caste to the known species of the genus from Guangxi is given.

15. Systematics of Chinese species of the ant genus Pristomyrmex Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
This paper examines the systematic relationships of four Chinese species of Pristomyrmex Mayr , i.e. P. brevispinosus Emery, P. formosae Forel, P. pungens Mayr, P. hamatus sp. nov. A key based on worker caste is provided for the known Chinese species. The new species, P. hamatus sp. nov., collected in the tropical rain forest of southern Yunnan Province is close to P. pungens Mayr.

16. A systematic study of the ant genus Proceratium Roger from China (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Four species of the ant genus Proceratium Roger from China are recorded in this paper: P. itoi (Forel) from Zhejiang, Taiwan and Hunan Provinces, P. zhaoi Xu, sp. nov. from Yunnan Province, P. japonicum Santschi from Taiwan Province and P. longigaster Karavaiev from Yunnan Province. P. longigaster Karavaiev is a newly recorded species in China, a description based on the Chinese specimen is provided for the species. A key to the 4 known Chinese species based on worker caste is presented.

17. Two new genera of ant subfamilies Dorylinae and Ponerinae (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Yunnan, China
Two new genera of the ant subfamilies Dorylinae and Ponerinae are collected and described from the tropical rain forest of Xishuangbanna Nature Reserve,Yunnan Province,China. Yunodorylus gen. nov. belongs to the subfamily Dorylinae, which is monotypic and terrestrial with 2 colonies of the species Y. sexspinus sp. nov. collected from the soil sample of seasonal rain forest and deciduous monsoon forest. Bannapone gen. nov. belongs to the tribe Amblyoponini of Ponerinae, which is also monotypic.

18. A New Species of the Ant Genus Epitritus Emery (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from China
A new species of the ant genus Epitritus Emery, E. dayui sp. nov., is collected in Xishuangbanna Nature Reserve, Yunnan Province, China. Up to date, 4 species of the genus are known in China: E. hexamerus Brown, E. formosus Terayama, Lin & Wu, E. hirashimai Ogata, and E. dayui sp. nov. A key based on worker and female castes is proposed for the 4 known species of Epitritus of East Asia.

19. A Taxonomic Study of the Ant Genus Recuruidris Bolton (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from China, with Description of a New Species
A new species of the genus Recurvidris Bolton, Recurvidris glabriceps sp. nov. collected from south China is described. A key to Chinese known species of the genus based on worker caste is presented.

20. Nestmate recognition and kin recognition in ants
All ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) are highly eusocial insects that are characterized by reproductive division of labor with sterile castes (worker and soldier) helping fertile castes (queen and male) to reproduce. Ant societies, like other complex animal societies, have developed a sophisticated communication system, in which recognition behaviors are frequently involved.

21. Five new species and one new record species of the ant genus Leptogenys Roger (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Yunnan Province, China
Five new species of the ant genus Leptogenys Roger are described from Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, China, i.e. L. huangdii sp. nov., L. pangui sp. nov., L. zhuangzii sp. nov., L. laozii sp. nov., L. mengzii sp. nov. A newly recorded species for China, L. crassicornis Emery, was collected in the same area. A key based on worker caste is prepared for the 13 species known in China. Detailed figures are given for 12 species except L. peuqueti (Andre).

22. Discovery of the worker caste of Platythyrea clypeata Forel and a new species of Probolomyrmex Mayr in Yunnan, China (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
The worker caste of the ant species Platythyrea clypeata Forel is discovered and described for the first time. The genus Platythyrea Roger and the species P. clypeata Forel are newly recorded in China. Two species of the genus Probolomyrmex Mayr are recorded in China: P. longinodus Terayama & Ogata from Taiwan Province, and P. longiscapus sp. nov. from Yunnan Province.

23. Two new species of the ant genus Dolichoderus Lund from Yunnan, China (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Two new species of the ant genus Dolichoderus Lund are described from the tropical rain forest of southern Yunnan Province, China. Up to date, 10 species of the genus are recorded in China: D. sibiricus Emery, D. sagmanotus Xu, sp. nov. D. feae Emery, D. flatidorsus Zhou, D. pilosus Zhou, D. taprobanae (Smith), D. affinis Emery, D. incisus Xu, D. thoracicus (Smith), D. squamanodus Xu, sp. nov. A key based on worker caste is provided for the 10 known Chinese species.

24. A systematic study on the ant genus Amblyopone Erichson from China (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
The Chinese species of the ant genus Amblyopone Erichson are treated. Two new species are described from Yunnan Province. Seven species of the genus are known in China to date: A. bruni (Forel) and A. sakaii Terayama from Taiwan Province; A. silvestrii (Wheeler) from Taiwan and Zhejiang Provinces; A. rothneyi Forel from Macao; A. rubiginoa Wu & Wang from Hunan Province; A. triloba sp. nov. and A. crenata sp. nov. from Yunnan Province.

25. A new species of the ant genus Liometopum Mayr from Guangxi, China (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
A new species of the genus Liometopum Mayr, L. minimum sp.nov., is described. A key based on worker caste is given to the known species of the genus in China.

26. A taxonomic study of the genus Myrmica Latreille from China (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Eleven species of the ant genus Myrmica Latreille are reported in China. M. gallieni Bondroit is a new record species in China. M. taibaiensis sp. nov. is described from Mt. Taibai. A key based on worker caste is given for the 11 species.

27. Systematic Study on the Ant Genus Ponera Latreille (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of China
Eight species of the ant genus Ponera Latreille are recorded in China, among them 5 new species are discovered and described from Xishuangbanna Nature Reserve of Yunnan Province: P. sinensis Wheeler distributed in Hong Kong; P. alisana Terayama and P. chiponensis Terayama distributed in Taiwan Province; P. pentodontos, sp. nov., P. menglana, sp. nov., P. nangongshana, sp. nov., P. longlina, sp. nov., and P. baka, sp. nov. distributed in Yunnan Province. A key based on worker caste is provided.

28. A New Species of the Ant Genus Strongylognathus Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Shaanxi, China
A new ant species, Strongylognathus tylonum, sp. n. is described from Mt. Taibai in Shaanxi Province, China. A description is given for the worker caste. The species is morphologically close to S. karawajewi Pisarski. A key based on worker caste is preposed for the 3 species known in China. The type specimens of the new species is deposited in the Insect Collection, College of Forestry, Northwest Sci Tech University of Agriculture and Forestry.

29. Four New Species of the Ant Genus Ponera Latreille (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Yunnan, China
Four new species of the ant genus Ponera Latreille are described from the Gaoligongshan Mountain Nature Reserve of Yunnan Province. Up to date, 12 species of the genus are recorded in China, i.e. P. sinensis Wheeler, P. alisana Terayama, P. chiponensis Terayama, P. pentodontos Xu, P. menglana Xu, P. nangongshana Xu, P. longlina Xu, P. baka Xu, P. xantha, sp. nov., P. pianmana, sp. nov., P. bawana, sp. nov., P. diodonta, sp. nov. A key to 12 species in China based on worker caste is provided.

30. Five new species and one new record species of the ant genus Leptogenys Roger (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Yunnan Province, China
Five new species of the ant genus Leptogenys Roger are described from Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, China, i.e. L. huangdii sp. nov., L. pangui sp. nov., L. zhuangzii sp. nov., L. laozii sp. nov., L. mengzii sp. nov. A new record species for China, L. crassicornis Emery, was collected in the same area. A key based on worker caste is prepared for the 13 species known in China. Detailed figures are given for 12 species except L. peuqueti (Andre). The known Chinese species are divided into 4 species groups, i.e. L. crassicornis group, L. chinensis group, L. diminuta group, and L. zhuangzii group.

31. A Systematic Study on the Ant Subfamily Leptanillinae of China (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Two genera of the ant subfamily Leptanillinae are recorded in China. Three species including a new species of the genus Leptanilla Emery are reported: L. hunanensis Tang, Li & Chen from Hunan Province, L. taiwanensis Ogata, Terayama & Masuko from Taiwan Province, L. yuananensis sp. nov. from Yunnan Province. Protanilla Taylor is newly recorded in China, of which 2 new species are described from Yunnan Province, i.e. P. concolor sp. nov. and P. bicolor sp. nov.

32.A systematic study on the ant subgenus Cyrtomyrma Forel of the genus Polyrhachis Smith of China (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Five new species of the ant subgenus Cyrtomyrma Forel of the genus Polyrhachis Smith are described from the tropical rain forest area of Xishuangbanna Nature Reserve in southern Yunnan Province, i.e., P. (C.) cornihumera sp. nov., P. (C.) dentihumera sp. nov., P. (C.) orbihumera sp. nov., P. (C.) rotoccipita sp. nov., and P. (C.) brevicorpa sp. nov. At present, 13 species of the subgenus have been recorded in China and the Indo-China Peninsula, among these 9 species are known only from China.

33. Two new species of the ant genus Dolichoderus Lund (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Guangxi, China
Two new species of the ant genus Dolichoderus Lund from Guangxi Province are described. They are D. flatidorsus sp. nov. and D. pilosus sp. nov.

34. Two new species of the genera Mystrium and Cryptopone from Yunnan,china (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Two new ant species from the tropical rain forest of Xishuangbanna Nature Reserve in Yunnan Province, Mystrium oculatum sp. nov. and Cryptopone recticlypea sp. nov., were described. The genus, Mystrium Roger, was first recorded in China.

35. Two new species of the ant genus Polyrhachis Smith from Yunnan, China (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
In this paper, 2 new species of the ant genus Polyrhachis Smith found in Yunnan Province of China, P. cyphonota sp. nov. and P. bakana sp. nov., are described. P. cyphonota sp. nov. belongs to the subgenus Cyrtomyrma Forel, P. bakana sp. nov. belongs to the subgenus Myrmhopla Forel. P. bakana sp. nov. was found in the tropical rain forest of Xishuangbanna Nature Reserve.

36. Three new species and a new record species of tribe Prenolepidini (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Guangxi, China
Three new species of tribe Prenolepidini from Guangxi, China, are described, i.e. Prenolepis sphingthoraxa sp. nov., Prenolepis umbra sp. nov., and Paratrechina opisopthalmia sp. nov. A newly recorded species i.e. Paratrechina aseta (Forel) is reported.

37. Report of a third Camponotus species with metapleural gland from the world and first from India (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae: Camponotini)
Camponotus sericeus Fabricius, a ground-dwelling species occurring all over India was found to possess the metapleural gland. This character is absent in most species of Camponotus worldwide, except for C. gigas Latreille from Indonesia (Sumatra island) and C. thadeus Shattuck from Queensland, Australia. This is the first report of the presence of metapleural gland in an Indian species of Camponotus and the third from the world.

38. Vombisidris Bolton (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), a new record genus in China, with description of a new species
The ant genus Vombisidris Bolton is recorded in China for the first time. A new species of the genus, V. umbrabdomina sp. nov., is described. The new species is close to V. nahet Bolton but differs in sides of mesonotum slightly convex, not obtusely angular in dorsal view, antennal scape longer, colour yellowish-brown, gaster dark brown, darker than head and alitrunk.

39. A taxonomic study on the ant genus Pheidologeton Mayr (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae) from China
Ten species and three subspecies of the ant genus Pheidologeton Mayr are treated in the paper. One of them is described as new to science, i.e. P. zengchengensis sp. nov. A key based on major worker caste to the known Chinese species of the genus is presented.

40. A new species of the genus Myrmecina Curtis, 1829 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Hunan Province, China
A new species of the genus Myrmecina Curtis, M. pauca sp. nov., is described. The new species is similar to M. graminicola (Latreille), but can be distinguished from the latter by its 11-segmented antennae, scape cylindrical at base, more strong longitudinal rugulae on the dorsum of alitrunk, especially the one running throughout the middle of the dorsum. Furthermore, the 11-segmented antennae can separate the new species from all known Myrmecina species in the world.

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