Pheidole

Pheidole (Ancient Greek pronunciation: [pʰeː.dɔː.le]) is a genus of ants that belongs to the ant subfamily Myrmicinae. The genus is widespread and ecologically dominant. It probably includes more than 1000 species.[1] The genus first evolved in the Americas, eventually spreading across the globe.

Pheidole mendicula

Pheidole
Pheidole dentata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Myrmicinae
Tribe: Attini
Genus: Pheidole
Westwood, 1839
Species

Many, see text

Diversity[1]
about 1,000 species

Colony structure

Most species of Pheidole are dimorphic, which means that colonies contain two castes of workers, the "minor" workers, and the "major" workers, or "soldiers". The latter generally have much larger heads and mandibles in comparison to their usually fairly modest body size. [2]

In addition, as in other ant species, a colony may contain one or several queens, and also in mature colonies, alates - virgin winged females and males.

Major workers

The distinctive major workers have earned the genus Pheidole the nickname of "big-headed ants". The major workers of a Pheidole colony, while they may look fierce, are often quite shy and are often the first to flee on any hint of danger. Many Pheidole species are the prey of parasitoid phorid flies that lay their eggs on the major workers; the fly larvae grow mainly in the head capsules of the victims, eventually decapitating them, and probably would starve in the bodies of minor workers.

In most cases, the major workers are employed within the nest to break up large food items, or outside to carry large items, such as seeds; many Pheidole species are ecologically important seed consumers ("harvesters").

Species list

The genus contains over 1,000 species.[3] They include:

  • Pheidole acutidens
  • Pheidole argentina
  • Pheidole barreleti
  • Pheidole bicarinata
  • Pheidole bigote
  • Pheidole branstetteri
  • Pheidole braueri
  • Pheidole bula
  • Pheidole carinote
  • Pheidole cervicornis
  • Pheidole ceylonica
  • Pheidole clavata
  • Pheidole debilis
  • Pheidole decepticon
  • Pheidole dentata
  • Pheidole diffidens
  • Pheidole dodo
  • Pheidole elecebra
  • Pheidole elongicephala
  • Pheidole eowilsoni
  • Pheidole epiphyta
  • Pheidole fervens
  • Pheidole fossimandibula
  • Pheidole gracilipes
  • Pheidole gymnoceras
  • Pheidole harlequina
  • Pheidole harrisonfordi
  • Pheidole horni
  • Pheidole inquilina
  • Pheidole janzeni
  • Pheidole jonas
  • Pheidole karolmorae
  • Pheidole karolsetosa
  • Pheidole komori
  • Pheidole laevithorax
  • Pheidole lagunculinoda
  • Pheidole lanuginosa
  • Pheidole latinoda
  • Pheidole leoncortesi
  • Pheidole loki
  • Pheidole malinsii
  • Pheidole megacephala
  • Pheidole megatron
  • Pheidole microgyna
  • Pheidole neokohli
  • Pheidole nietneri
  • Pheidole noda
  • Pheidole obtusospinosa
  • Pheidole ochracea
  • Pheidole oculata
  • Pheidole pallidula
  • Pheidole pararugiceps
  • Pheidole parasitica
  • Pheidole parva
  • Pheidole pegasus
  • Pheidole phanigaster
  • Pheidole picobarva
  • Pheidole pronotalis
  • Pheidole psilogaster
  • Pheidole purpurea
  • Pheidole ragnax
  • Pheidole rhea
  • Pheidole rhinomontana
  • Pheidole rugithorax
  • Pheidole rugosa
  • Pheidole sebofila
  • Pheidole simplispinosa
  • Pheidole spathifera
  • Pheidole sulcaticeps
  • Pheidole symbiotica
  • Pheidole templaria
  • Pheidole teneriffana
  • Pheidole uncagena
  • Pheidole vieti
  • Pheidole vulcan
  • Pheidole xerophila

References

  1. E. O. Wilson (2003). Pheidole in the New World: A Dominant, Hyperdiverse Ant Genus. Harvard University Press. ISBN 0-674-00293-8.
  2. Muscedere, Mario L.; Traniello, James F. A. (February 17, 2012). "Division of Labor in the Hyperdiverse Ant Genus Pheidole Is Associated with Distinct Subcaste- and Age-Related Patterns of Worker Brain Organization". PLOS ONE. 7 (2). PLOS: e31618. Bibcode:2012PLoSO...731618M. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0031618. PMC 3281964. PMID 22363686.
  3. Bolton, B. (2014). "Pheidole". AntCat. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
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