Aphaenogaster gamagumayaa sp. nov.: the first troglobiotic ant from Japan (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae)

Aphaenogaster gamagumayaa sp. nov., a new troglobiotic (true cave-dwelling) ant species, from a limestone cave on the island of Okinawa (Okinawa-jima), Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan is described. This is the first discovery of a troglobiotic ant in Japan and the second verified record worldwide. This sp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Zootaxa
Main Authors: NAKA, TAKERU, MARUYAMA, MUNETOSHI
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Mangolia Press 2018
Subjects:
Hymenoptera
cave-dwelling species
guano
island
limestone cave
Myrmicinae
Okinawa-jima
Ryukyu Archipelago
troglobiont.
Guano
Guano Island
Online Access:http://www.mapress.com/j/zt/article/view/zootaxa.4450.1.10
https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4450.1.10
Description
Summary:Aphaenogaster gamagumayaa sp. nov., a new troglobiotic (true cave-dwelling) ant species, from a limestone cave on the island of Okinawa (Okinawa-jima), Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan is described. This is the first discovery of a troglobiotic ant in Japan and the second verified record worldwide. This species has only been found in a cave area with heavy guano deposits, and some worker ants were observed carrying guano. The evidence for categorizing this new species as troglobiont is discussed.

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