Anochetus mayri

Nomenclature

Species: Anochetus mayri Emery 1884

Usage: valid

Syntype: BMNH - [node:field-collection-code] - CASENT0902434

General description

Anochetus mayri is native to the Neotropics, where it is widespread across the Caribbean, Central America and South America. The species is introduced in Florida, and is the only member of its genus known to have become successfully established outside of its native range. This small and presumably predaceous trap-jaw species is most often found in leaf litter, and is recognized by its long linear mandibles, single waist segment and bicuspidate petiolar node. This latter character, along with its much smaller size and lack of a nuchal carina, easily allow A. mayri to be distinguished by its sister genus, Odontomachus. While it may be capable of stinging humans, the species is not aggressive or strongly defensive, and is unlikely to become a significant economic pest or have significant impacts on the native fauna.

Biology

Anochetus mayri was placed together with A. neglectus and A. minas into the A. mayri-group by Brown (1978), which he described as small species with squamiform, emarginate or bicuspidate petiolar nodes. Brown commented that the high variability of A. mayri with respect to body size, eye size, antennal scape length, color and sculpture, as well as size and details of form and dentition of the mandibles, raises the suspicion that A. mayri may include two or more sibling species. Brown therefore adopted the convention of referring to the A. mayri complex.

A native to the Neotropics, A. mayri is widespread across the Caribbean, Central America and South America. The species was first reported from Dade County, Florida in 1987 (Deyrup et al. 2000) based on a single dealate queen. As of 2002, A. mayri was found to be thriving at a site in Palm Beach County, where it was found together with many other introduced ants species throughout leaf litter samples taken at the bases of pines and oaks (Deyrup 2002). The species appears to be confined to disturbed habitats in its introduced range, where it forages in subterranean microhabitats for prey. Deyrup (2002) reports that while it may be capable of stinging humans, the species is not aggressive or strongly defensive, and is unlikely to become a significant economic pest or have significant impacts on the native fauna. 

External links

AntWeb | AntWiki | EOL | BOLD

Diagnostic description

Diagnosis of worker among Antkey species

Antenna 12-segmented. Eyes large and situated distinctly below midline of head. Posterior margin of head uninterrupted by median longitudinal groove. Frontal lobes present. Clypeus with anterior margin flat to convex, but never forming a distinct triangle that projects anteriorly beyond the base of the mandibles. Mandibles linear, inserted towards the middle of the anterior head margin, armed with apical fork. Waist 1-segmented. Petiole narrowly attached to gaster and with a conspicuous posterior face. Petiolar node bicuspidate, excised medially to form a pair of dorsolateral spines. Gaster armed with sting. Dark brown to yellowish-brown.

Look alikes

Odontomachus simillimus, Odontomachus ruginodis

Distribution

Native range. Caribbean, Central America and South America.

Introduced range. USA: Florida.

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