Megalomyrmex adamsae

Megalomyrmex adamsae
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Myrmicinae
Tribe: Solenopsidini
Genus: Megalomyrmex
Species: M. adamsae
Binomial name
Megalomyrmex adamsae
Longino, 2010

Megalomyrmex adamsae is a Neotropical species of ants in the subfamily Myrmicinae. Megalomyrmex adamsae, known from Panama,[1] is very similar to M. symmetochus, known from Costa Rica to Panama.[2]

Biology

Megalomyrmex adamsae is a specialized social parasite of Attini, like its close relative M. symmetochus. Colonies cohabit nests with their attine hosts as "guest ants," feeding on fungal mycelia and attine brood. Megalomyrmex adamsae and M. symmetochus differ in host preference: M. adamsae is typically found in Trachymyrmex nests, M. symmetochus in Sericomyrmex nests.[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Longino 2010, p. 42
  2. Longino 2010, p. 55