Eciton burchellii

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Eciton burchellii

A representative individual from the soldier caste with characteristically shaped mandibles.

Conservation status

Least Concern

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Formicidae
Subfamily:	Ecitoninae
Tribe:	Ecitonini
Genus:	Eciton
Species:	E. burchellii

Binomial name

Eciton burchellii
Westwood, 1842

Subspecies

Eciton burchellii burchellii
Eciton burchellii cupiens
Eciton burchellii foreli
Eciton burchellii parvispinum
Eciton burchellii urichi

Eciton burchellii is the predominant species of the genus Eciton and a type of New World army ant. Distinct in its expansive, highly organized swarm raids, it is often considered the archetypal species of the term "army ant" , which has become its common name, and one of the most heavily investigated of all ant species.

As with most ants, they are polymorphic, meaning that individuals vary in size; a colony contains workers ranging from 3mm to 12mm, with each specific "caste" being suited to specialized tasks. As with other species of Eciton, E. burchellii features a highly modified soldier caste bearing long, pointed, characteristically falcate (sickle-shaped) mandibles. Their long legs and elongated body lend a spider-like appearance. Color varies from deep golden to dark brown. Workers possess single faceted compound eyes, double segmented waists, a well developed sting, and specialized tarsal hooks on their feet with which they cling to one another to form bridges and bivouacs.

Colonies may be quite large, accommodating as many as 100,000 to 2,000,000 adult individuals. Each colony consists of a single queen, a brood of developing young, and a majority of adult workers.

1 Naming
2 References
3 External links
- 3.1 External images

[edit] Naming

The species was referred to as Eciton burchellii in the original publication; the double i was subsequently deemed unnecessary in the later 1800s by taxonomists, and so the name became Eciton burchelli. However, taxonomic rules have recently been stricter in adhering to the original form. ^[1] ^[2]