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

• 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

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.