Myrmoteras
Myrmoteras is a genera of ants belonging to the subfamily Formicinae. Formicines have an acidopore rather than a sting and can spray formic acid. Myrmoteras is known as a lowland tropical rainforest and montane forest species. What is so unique about these ants is that it has a very long elongated mandible, unlike the many other ants. Further, these mandibles can open 270 degrees. These specimens are by far rare, and little is known about their biology. What made them develop such huge eyes, if they're primarily leaf-litter dwelling, and what are the long mandibles used for? Nests have been found in dead twigs of leaf litter. [1]
Also, about its taxonomy -- there are two subgenera within the genera, namely Myrmoteras and Myagroteras that are geographically separated, and delineated respectively by the Wallace line and Weber's line. They're strictly an Indomalayan genera.
Also, about its taxonomy -- there are two subgenera within the genera, namely Myrmoteras and Myagroteras that are geographically separated, and delineated respectively by the Wallace line and Weber's line. They're strictly an Indomalayan genera.
Species accounts
Myrmoteras iriodum
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| A specimen -- Myrmoteras iriodum collected in Singapore |
Myrmoteras cf. arcoelinae
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| A Myrmoteras cf. arcoelinae found on a leaf of a shrub (surprise, surprise) - not leaf litter where it is usually spotted. This was also observed by Agosti (1992). Found at one of the trails at Kinabalu National Park (1500m) which is a lower montane forest. The individual was moving sluggishly and did not seem aggressive. Credit and thanks to Chui Shao Xiong for this wonderful photograph! |
References
[1] Agosti, D.. 1992. Revision of the ant genus Myrmoteras of the Malay Archipelago (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Revue sueisse Zoologie 99(2): 405-429.
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