Formicinae
Red Wood Ant (Formica rufa)
The scales ants ( Formicinae ) are one of the most species-rich subfamilies within the ants ( Formicidae ). In addition to the scales include ants in Central Europe nor the red ants ( Myrmicinae ), the Urameisen ( Ponerinae ) and the glands of ants ( Dolichoderinae ) to the common ant groups.
- 5.1 Notes and references
- 5.2 Literature
Features
Particularly striking is the distinguishing feature that unites all species of this subfamily. They have a distinctly flaky Stielchenglied ( petiole ) and a five-membered abdomen (gaster ). The gaster is smooth and without conspicuous constrictions between the segments. Instead of a spike located at the end of the abdomen, the tubular Säurepore ( Acidoporus ), which is surrounded by a ring of bristles.
When members of this subfamily sophisticated behaviors are common, as the Blattlauszucht, the symbiosis with root lice or the holding of "slave ants ". Sozialparasitäre behaviors are common. On the other hand, are still primitive features available, such as cocoon dolls. The sensor and the mandible are hardly reduced in segmentation or modified, except in exceptional cases, such as the genus Polyergus.
Glands
In the course of evolution, the poison gland has highly specialized and enlarged. Thus, the forming part of the scales, the only species of ants ants include formic acid. The vapors of formic acid act in small animals such as a respiratory poison and can also be fatal. With the availability of this effective weapon of the sting was superfluous, and regressed. Shed ants such as the genera Brachymyrmex and Paratrechina produce toxic alkaloids Pumiliotoxine.
Dissemination
In Central Europe the following genera are represented (selection):
- Carpenter ants ( Camponotus )
- Wood ants (Formica )
- Garden ants ( Lasius )
- Plagiolepis
- Polyergus
Overall, these genera in Germany make up about one- third of the total species composition of ants. The best known representatives in Germany are the red wood ant (Formica rufa), or The Black garden ant ( Lasius niger). Worldwide, of the shed ants 3700 species and subspecies known.
Ecology
On the diet with scales particularly ants of the genera Brachymyrmex and Paratrechina the ability of Erdbeerfroeschchen goes back, poison to accumulate, which they secrete through their skin surface. 232 poisonous alkaloids have been identified in the skin of Erdbeerfroeschchen, including above all the Pumiliotoxine.
System
The scales ants are divided into the following tribes and genera:
- Camponotini Calomyrmex
- † Camponotites
- Camponotus
- † Chaemeromyrma
- Echinopla
- Forelophilus
- Opisthopsis
- Overbeckia
- Phasmomyrmex
- Polyrhachis
- † Pseudocamponotus
- Alloformica
- Bajcaridris
- Cataglyphis
- Formica
- † Glaphyromyrmex
- Polyergus ( e.g. Polyergus rufescens )
- Proformica
- † Protoformica
- Rossomyrmex
- Gesomyrmex
- † Prodimorphomyrmex
- Santschiella
- † Sicilomyrmex
- Gigantiops
- Acropyga
- Anoplolepis ( e.g. Anoplolepis gracilipes )
- Cladomyrma
- Lasiophanes
- Lasius
- Myrmecocystus
- Prolasius
- Stigmacros
- Teratomyrmex
- Melophorus
- Myrmecorhynchus
- Notoncus
- Pseudonotoncus
- Myrmelachista
- Myrmoteras
- Notostigma
- Oecophylla
- Agraulomyrmex
- Aphomomyrmex
- Brachymyrmex
- Bregmatomyrma
- Euprenolepsis
- Lepisiota
- Myrmelachista
- Paratrechina
- Petalomyrmex
- Plagiolepsis
- Pseudaphomomyrmex
- Pseudolasius
- Tapinolepis