Meranoplus is a diverse genus of over 80 species thriving in the Old World tropics. The African species of this genus exhibit a penchant for nesting in the ground, decaying wood, or beneath stones. Their foraging activities primarily occur on the ground or within leaf litter, although a select few may venture onto trees or shrubs.
Biology
Meranoplus ants can be either omnivorous, opportunistically consuming seeds, or specialized granivores. When disturbed, they fake death by retracting their antennae, tucking their legs under the promesonotal shield, and remaining perfectly motionless.
Identification
Meranoplus ants have a compact mesosoma that is dorsolaterally and often posterodorsally produced. Another defining trait is the nine-segmented antenna with a three-segmented club.
More detail on Myrmecofourmis.fr (fr),
No comments:
Post a Comment