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| Pheidologeton | |
|---|---|
| |
| P. diversus feeding on an mealworm | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Myrmicinae |
| Tribe: | Solenopsidini |
| Genus: | Pheidologeton Mayr, 1862 |
| Species | |
|
P. affinis | |
| Diversity | |
| c. 40 species | |
Pheidologeton is a genus of ants, also called marauder ants, due to their raids similar to those of army ants. Their nests are more permanent but almost as large as those of army ants. This genus of ant is recognisable by its dramatic polymorphism, the difference in sizes of the worker castes; there is a super-major worker in addition to major and minor.
There are about 42 species/subspecies in this genus. They range from Africa through south Asia into Australia.
Two fossil species are known.
Marauder ants are divided into larger and smaller ants, which live and work together in the same nest. The larger ones act as "buses" or "taxis" for the smaller ants, letting them ride on their abdomen to avoid being crushed and prevent them from needlessly losing energy. Whether a pupa becomes a larger or smaller ant is due to random chance.
External links
- Pheidologeton (marauder ants) pictures
- Information about the genus
- Genus description
- ITIS genus page
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