Diacamma
| Diacamma | ||||||||||
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Diacamma rugosum |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||
| Diacamma | ||||||||||
| Mayr , 1862 |
Diacamma is a genus of ants from the subfamily of the primeval ants (Ponerinae).
features
The representatives of this genus are quite large and consistently black in color. The stalk member ( petiolus ) has two conspicuous thorns on the upper side. At Diacamma there are no gynomorphic queens, but reproduction is carried out by a mated worker, the so-called gamergate .
Caste termination
All newly hatched animals show the gemmae ("jewelry") on the mesosoma above the front pair of legs . These are small, reddish appendages in place of the wings . All young animals are capable of laying eggs and could theoretically take on the reproductive role. In the colony there but only one dominant female who actively mutilated the other animals by them Gemmae chew off. It retains its reproductive function as a gamer gate, while the lack of gems in the other animals results in the degeneration of the reproductive organs and these become sterile workers. The Gamergate can therefore be easily distinguished from the workers who are missing these appendages and instead have a pocket-like indentation on the basis of the gemmae . Otherwise, the functional queen (Gamergate) and the workers look completely the same.
distribution
25 species have been described worldwide. They occur from the East Indies across Southeast Asia to Australia.
Way of life
The nests are created above ground in loose waste, gravel or other loose material. Hollow trees and bamboo stalks are also used, but sites are often only populated temporarily. Frequent nest moves are possible. Large earth nests are less common, but given the right conditions, such a colony can remain true to its location for years.
The representatives of Diacamma feed mainly predatory and carrion. As is typical for ancient ants, the number of individuals in a colony with a maximum of 100 to 200 animals is rather small.
Systematics
The following species belong to the genus Diacamma (selection):
swell
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c Genus Diacamma. Australian Ants Online, archived from the original on December 6, 2008 ; Retrieved July 20, 2013 .
- ^ Differentiation of the reproductive tract between dominant and subordinate workers in the Japanese queenless ant Diacamma sp. IngentaConnect, accessed June 22, 2008 .
- ^ Diacamma Taxon Count. (No longer available online.) Hymenoptera Name Server, formerly the original ; Retrieved June 18, 2008 . ( Page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
literature
- Bert Hölldobler , Edward O. Wilson : Ants. The discovery of a fascinating world. Birkhäuser Verlag, Basel - Boston - Berlin 1995, ISBN 3-7643-5152-7