6 replies to this topic

[charlomyrmex]

Hi everyone! I am really interested in honeypot ants (Myrmecocystus spp) and I am trying to find records of repletism in the 29 different species. In this paper (https://www.scienced...055790320303080), they state repletes have been found in 20/29 species but do not indicate which species. I have been able to find records of repletes in 19/29 species. The ten species I couldn't find records for are christineae, colei, creightoni, intonsus, kathjuli, kennedyi, koso, nequazcatl, perimeces, and romainei. I am attaching a file of all my citations for this information.

 

I was wondering if anyone here has observed repletism in these species? Any insight/discussion would be appreciated! Thanks

Attached Files

•  repletism.xlsx   7.59KB   91 downloads

[AntsCali098]

I believe kennedyi does, but not very knowledgeable in this.

[ReignofRage]

I am not aware of any Myrmecocystus species that does not form repletes if given the environmental opprotunity. Out of the few you listed, I can confirm M. creightoni, M. kathjuli, and M. romainei. I would suspect M. colei to form repeltes since I have observed the species taking in high quantities of nectars throughout multiple times of the year. There also is a lot more than just 29 species, most of which are known to form repletes. 

[charlomyrmex]

I am not aware of any Myrmecocystus species that does not form repletes if given the environmental opprotunity. Out of the few you listed, I can confirm M. creightoni, M. kathjuli, and M. romainei. I would suspect M. colei to form repeltes since I have observed the species taking in high quantities of nectars throughout multiple times of the year. There also is a lot more than just 29 species, most of which are known to form repletes. 

I would also expect all of the species to form repletes, but am trying to find recorded evidence to support that. Thank you for this great information!! Are these colonies that you dug up or cared for? Also, is there something you could point me to for the other species, beyond the 29 listed in the 2021 paper? I suspect like most taxonomy, species numbers are always fluctuating and names changing depending on species concepts/new information coming out.

[gcsnelling]

I agree as did my dad that the absence of repletes in certain species was a result of inadequate sampling rather than the species in question not producing repletes. I am very glad to see the linked paper as it tends to confirm the existence of additional species.

[charlomyrmex]

I agree as did my dad that the absence of repletes in certain species was a result of inadequate sampling rather than the species in question not producing repletes. I am very glad to see the linked paper as it tends to confirm the existence of additional species.

That makes sense, it's always hard to prove the absence of a certain trait, especially when ants like these can be so difficult to collect. Thank you! And I suppose I should read the paper closer, now I see their mention of additional species  

Edited by charlomyrmex, November 18 2022 - 12:36 PM.

[ReignofRage]

I would also expect all of the species to form repletes, but am trying to find recorded evidence to support that. Thank you for this great information!! Are these colonies that you dug up or cared for? Also, is there something you could point me to for the other species, beyond the 29 listed in the 2021 paper? I suspect like most taxonomy, species numbers are always fluctuating and names changing depending on species concepts/new information coming out.

 

 

 

 

There will be a struggle to find published records of repletes for all species, just due to some species rarely being seen and the apparent struggle many people have with identifying the species of this genus i.e. calling everything mimicus, mendax, etc - to me it's not that difficult. It would be difficult for me to believe that any Myrmecocystus doesn't form repletes just from seeing multiple species of the three genetically fictitious subgenera form repletes no matter if majors are formed or not. The species I stated are from captive observations as I don't particularly like to excavate wild colonies. There isn't really a paper that goes over and describes all of the species, I just have personal documentation and organization with the help of personally communications with entomolgists that are working on the genus. The amount of species described is never constantly fluctuating, it only changes with accepted revisions that get published.