Phylogenetic position, morphological differentiation and specialized predatory of subterranean Crematogaster ants

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26440221
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Biodiversity/Systematics
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: Hosoishi Shingo 九州大学, 熱帯農学研究センター, 助教 (80571273)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 系統 / 形態的特殊化 / 地下性

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Field surveys conducted in tropical Asia revealed three subterranean Crematogaster species. I described one Vietnamese taxa as new species. Those subterranean species had reduced compound eyes with 10 ommatidia to 5-6 ommatidia. Cladistic analysis using morphological characters revealed that subterranean form evolved independently in different lineages. The basal margin of mandibles in subterranean species is different from normal ground-dwelling species, suggesting specialized predator. Morphological specializations such as developed body hairs, relatively large spiracles, and light yellow body color were found in those species.

Free Research Field

系統昆虫分類学