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genus
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Probolomyrmex
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Japanese Name
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Hananaga-ari-zoku
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Original Reference
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Mayr, G. (1901) SŸdafrikanische Formiciden, gesammelt von Dr. Hans Brauns. Annalen des k.k. Naturhistorischen Hofmuseums Wien 16: 1-30.
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Description
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Small, slender ponerine ants. Total length of workers less than 4 mm. Clypeus strongly produced as a shelf-like process, which covers the mandibles and carries the antennae. Antennal insertions exposed, closely adjacent, separated by a thin vertical lamella. Eyes absent. Promesonotal suture absent on mesosomal dorsum. Hairs lacking, except on the mandibles. Body surfaces microreticulate, opaque.
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Remarks
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Probolomyrmex is distributed in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. There are 14 named species, all of which are very rare. Most are known only from their type-localities. Colonies are small, often including only several individuals. The biology has been scarcely studied. In some species at least the elongate larvae hang head-downwards from the ceilings of nest chambers (not yet reported from Japan). The genus inhabits leaf-litter or soil in forest. Nests have been collected from fallen dead branches, other rotting wood or the soil under stones. Myrmecological Society of Japan Editorial Committee (1988) listed two unnamed species from Japan, both of which were subsequently described by Terayama & Ogata (1988).
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References
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- Myrmecological Society of Japan, Editorial Committee (ed.) (Ed.). (1988). A list of the ants of Japan with common Japanese names. The Myrmecological Society of Japan, Tokyo.
- Terayama, M. & K. Ogata (1988). Two new species of the ant genus Probolomyrmex (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from Japan. . Kontyu, 56, 590-594.
- SŸdafrikanische Formiciden, gesammelt von Dr. Hans Brauns. Annalen des k.k. Naturhistorischen Hofmuseums Wien 16: 1-30.
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Editor
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Original text by Mamoru Terayama. English translation by Mamoru Terayama, edited by Robert W. Taylor.
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