2 replies to this topic

[AntsUnited]

So people call Dinomyrmex ants dinosaur ants (Actually called Giant Forest Ants), but then Nothomyrmex are officially called dinosaur ants as their common name (and Fossil Ants), I've seen people call Diacamma ants dinosaur ants (Bornean Queenless Ant), then other people call Dinoponera ants (Giant Ants) dinosaur ants. Which one is actually a dinosaur ant? 

[ReignofRage]

I think common names are a bit daft if it isn't based on what the scientific name is due to this exact reason. However, the Australian government calls Nothomyrmecia macrops as "Dinosaur Ant" here. In my opinion, if a common name is used in literature then that should be the common name, but with time things change such as Solenopsis xyloni original description stating the common name as "cotton-ant" ("xyloni" meaning cotton) and now places such as Inaturalist calls them "Southwestern Fire Ants" despite no one calling them that.

[Manitobant]

Yeah nothomyrmecia macrops is the dinosaur ant.