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Amazing find gynandromorph (half female, half male) ant, can you help identify the species?

Started By futurebird , Jul 4 2022 9:59 AM

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7 replies to this topic

#1 Offline futurebird - Posted July 4 2022 - 9:59 AM

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On twitter there is a post from a photographer who does a lot of ant photos. You can find it here:

https://twitter.com/...996715212103680

There are more photos at the link and since this ant was collected we should get some close ups later today!

What species are we looking at here? Polyergus?

Starting this July I'm posting videos of my ants every week on youTube.

I like to make relaxing videos that capture the joy of watching ants.

If that sounds like your kind of thing... follow me >here<.

#2 Offline Manitobant - Posted July 4 2022 - 10:01 AM

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It’s definitely polyergus judging by the body shape and sickle shaped mandibles. Incredible find.

I’d also highly recommend him preserving and pinning it, as these things are very rare and can go for a lot of money to collectors.

Edited by Manitobant, July 4 2022 - 10:03 AM.

My journals:

Polyergus Mexicanus: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry175528
Lasius minutus: https://www.formicul...cs/#entry174811
Lasius latipes: https://www.formicul...gs/#entry206449
General acanthomyops journal: https://www.formicul...yops-with-eggs/

#3 Offline futurebird - Posted July 4 2022 - 6:03 PM

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More photos have been posted of this remarkable ant! You need to see the ones here that show clearly how they have two totally different mandibles and different sized eyes.
Just about everyone on "ant twitter" is checking this one out.

Starting this July I'm posting videos of my ants every week on youTube.

I like to make relaxing videos that capture the joy of watching ants.

If that sounds like your kind of thing... follow me >here<.

#4 Offline Manitobant - Posted September 25 2022 - 10:04 AM

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Sorry to bring this thread back from the dead but one of my captive polyergus colonies actually produced one of these

Attached Images

Edited by Manitobant, September 25 2022 - 10:05 AM.

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#5 Online ANTdrew - Posted September 25 2022 - 11:04 AM

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So weird!

"The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer." Prov. 30:25
Keep ordinary ants in extraordinary ways.

#6 Offline Zeiss - Posted September 25 2022 - 12:33 PM

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Sorry to bring this thread back from the dead but one of my captive polyergus colonies actually produced one of these

There is nothing wrong with posting on threads that haven't been active in a while, especially when you have something cool like that to share.

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#7 Offline T.C. - Posted September 26 2022 - 9:18 PM

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That's awesome manitobant. If you don't mind, I still do research and preserve specimens on my free time. In the unfortunate event of this ants death, I would buy it from you to preserve it and add it to the rest of my collections. Please reach out when that happens regardless of how long it is, and I will pay you for the specimen, time and shipping costs.

High Quality and Affordable Ant Keeping Gear

#8 Offline Manitobant - Posted September 27 2022 - 10:46 AM

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That's awesome manitobant. If you don't mind, I still do research and preserve specimens on my free time. In the unfortunate event of this ants death, I would buy it from you to preserve it and add it to the rest of my collections. Please reach out when that happens regardless of how long it is, and I will pay you for the specimen, time and shipping costs.

i was definitely planning on preserving it, if i am even able to get it that is. Unfortunately, my polyergus colony inhabits a massive tar heel ants nest and attempting to get it out would be an absolute PITA, not to mention stressing out the colony a ton.