Cardiocondyla emeryi

  • Synopsis
  • Diagnostic Characters
  • Comparison Chart
  • Images
  • Video
  • Nomenclature
  • References & Links

Threat Level: Low

Cardiocondyla emeryi is believed to be native to Africa, but is now one of many Cardiocondyla tramp species that has spread across the globe by human activity. Accurate identifications of Cardiocondyla species can be difficult because of their small size and similar generalized appearance. As the video shows, C. emeryi can recruit heavily to food resources, and unlike many of the other Cardiocondyla species, it can form strong foraging trails.

Other genera appearing in PIAkey with a two segmented waist and three segmented antennal club include Monomorium, Tetramorium and Pheidole. In addition to the characters given in the identification guide and comparison charts, Cardiocondyla can also be separated from the previously mentioned genera by the very swollen appearance of the postpetiole in dorsal view.

Cardiocondyla emeryi can usually be distinguished from other introduced Cardiocondyla by the combination of the characters given in the comparison chart.

For a detailed taxonomic treatment of the world Cardiocondyla, a recent revision of the genus provided by Seifert (2003) is an excellent resource.