http://formicidae.darkbb.com/feed/? Latest topics Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:05:30 GMT 10 http://i27.servimg.com/u/f27/11/05/08/07/bandea10.jpg http://formicidae.darkbb.com/feed/? http://formicidae.darkbb.com/methodology-f21/working-with-fluon-t60.htm Joe Sapp Hi all! I have spent the better part of today trying to scrub the fluon off of a plastic container. In this particular case, I think the petroleum jelly I applied above the fluon has mixed in with it and is protecting it from my soapy brillo pad. Basically, I am finding the fluon to be very resistant to scrubbing. I've tried soap and oven degreaser. does anyone have any advice on fluon removal? While I'm on the topic, any pointers for working with fluon in general? I am self-taught and ... Methodology Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:05:30 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/methodology-f21/working-with-fluon-t60.htm#139 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/methodology-f21/working-with-fluon-t60.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/diverse-subjects-f12/benoit-s-photo-techniques-t57.htm James C. Trager
It has been a bit quiet around here, so I though I'd liven it up.

I would like to be able to take pictures of small ants at least as good as those on your ants of North Carolina website. I've read Alex Wild's pointers on the subject, of course, but I'd be interested in your experience learning to photograph ants, what equipment you use, etc.]]> Diverse Subjects Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:21:23 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/diverse-subjects-f12/benoit-s-photo-techniques-t57.htm#122 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/diverse-subjects-f12/benoit-s-photo-techniques-t57.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/documentation-books-links-congress-f1/ant-quiz-and-ants-of-ecuador-t29.htm Benoit Guenard On the website of the ants of Tiputini by Kari T. Ryder Wilkie, you can find a quiz for which you can test your knowledge on the different subfamily of the ants present in Ecuador. Beside that the website present her work in Ecuador and is a great resource for people interested in ants of South America. I was also really amazed by the new ant trap that she designed: "the subterranean probe" to collect hypogaeic ants. The description can be found on her website and the results ... Documentation / Books / Links / Congress Fri, 29 Feb 2008 12:34:00 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/documentation-books-links-congress-f1/ant-quiz-and-ants-of-ecuador-t29.htm#43 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/documentation-books-links-congress-f1/ant-quiz-and-ants-of-ecuador-t29.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-ant-interactions-f6/crematogaster-scutellaris-camponotus-lateralis-t17.htm Nicolas Tirard Crematogaster scutellaris and Camponotus lateralis are two common species in the south of France. Frequently, the species are fully independent and doesn't interact at all. Crematogaster scutellaris form large, populated colonies in dead wood (rarely under rocks) from which it build a strong networck of trail leading to colonies of aphids. This ant is aggressive and frequently dominant. Camponotus lateralis colonies are a lot smaller, and as frequently located in wood as under stone. ... Ant - Ant Interactions Mon, 04 Feb 2008 12:27:20 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-ant-interactions-f6/crematogaster-scutellaris-camponotus-lateralis-t17.htm#19 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-ant-interactions-f6/crematogaster-scutellaris-camponotus-lateralis-t17.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/diverse-subjects-f12/giant-ant-sculptures-t33.htm James C. Trager
Check out this article, and be sure to view the picture gallery, on giant ant sculptures in Dubai. http://www.xpress4me.com/life/reviews/events/20006389.html
Ms. Cochran is an artist after my own heart. Now if I only had the wealth of a Dubai businessman, I'd order a set of these for my front lawn!]]> Diverse Subjects Sun, 23 Mar 2008 15:26:36 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/diverse-subjects-f12/giant-ant-sculptures-t33.htm#53 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/diverse-subjects-f12/giant-ant-sculptures-t33.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/hot-topics-nouveautes-f13/new-website-wwwformicidaeorg-t58.htm kiko
The new www.formicidae.org is up and running. The site is in final beta testing, and any suggestions will be welcome.

Please, find more info on the areas here]]> Hot topics / Nouveautes Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:13:42 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/hot-topics-nouveautes-f13/new-website-wwwformicidaeorg-t58.htm#124 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/hot-topics-nouveautes-f13/new-website-wwwformicidaeorg-t58.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/species-identification-f24/specimens-to-identify-t59.htm kiko here

Please feel free to post the images here or comment them at the website. Help is needed, as I do not have an ID on them]]> Species Identification Sat, 07 Feb 2009 11:59:40 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/species-identification-f24/specimens-to-identify-t59.htm#125 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/species-identification-f24/specimens-to-identify-t59.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/look-for-specimens-f22/specimens-for-revision-of-polyergus-t30.htm James C. Trager Hello all. On the moderator's suggestion, I am further notifying you in this section of my interest in specimens of Polyergus from around the world. I have discovered several species that are undescribed or need to be brought out of synonymy in North America, and also plan to study the variation in the Eurasian species. These include the black species of Asia (samurai, nigerrimus)and the widely distributed red rufescens. Other areas of great interest, due to lack or near lack of specimens, are ... Look for Specimens? Fri, 29 Feb 2008 22:43:14 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/look-for-specimens-f22/specimens-for-revision-of-polyergus-t30.htm#45 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/look-for-specimens-f22/specimens-for-revision-of-polyergus-t30.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/documentation-books-links-congress-f1/4th-european-iussi-congress-2008-belgium-t21.htm Laurent C. Indeed, the next IUSSI Congress, will be the 4th European one and it will take place in Belgium by the end of August. 4th European Meeting of the International Union for the Study of Social Insects (IUSSI) La Roche-en-Ardenne, Belgium, 30 August - 4 September, 2008 You can visit the official website IUSSI 2008 The IUSSI website is also available here Documentation / Books / Links / Congress Fri, 15 Feb 2008 10:49:06 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/documentation-books-links-congress-f1/4th-european-iussi-congress-2008-belgium-t21.htm#28 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/documentation-books-links-congress-f1/4th-european-iussi-congress-2008-belgium-t21.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/hot-topics-nouveautes-f13/new-subfamily-t56.htm Benoit Guenard A news like this one does not arrive every day. Martialis heureka is the first species (will it be the only one?) of the new ant subfamily Martialidae. Not only it is a new subfamily, but it seems that this one could solve some of the problems in ant phylogeny. One of the author, Christian Rabeling was instructor at the Antcourse, and gave us a very good talk on his new discovery. The article is available on the early version of PNAS under the title: Newly discovered sister ... Hot topics / Nouveautes Mon, 15 Sep 2008 22:36:37 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/hot-topics-nouveautes-f13/new-subfamily-t56.htm#117 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/hot-topics-nouveautes-f13/new-subfamily-t56.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/forum-rules-f14/position-of-the-forum-on-the-rearing-of-exotic-ant-species-t55.htm Benoit Guenard The risks related to the introduction of exotic species and the trade of ants are clearly defined by Dr. Buschinger in a series of articles available in 3 languages (English, German and French). The position of the forum on this topic is similar to the ideas expressed in those articles. English version (available on page 24): http://www.issg.org/aliens_newsletter/A19-20.pdf German version: http://www.myrmecologicalnews.org/cms/images/pdf/volume6/mn6_79-82_non-printable.pdf French ... Forum Rules Sat, 13 Sep 2008 22:27:29 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/forum-rules-f14/position-of-the-forum-on-the-rearing-of-exotic-ant-species-t55.htm#114 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/forum-rules-f14/position-of-the-forum-on-the-rearing-of-exotic-ant-species-t55.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/diverse-subjects-f12/luis-lopes-da-fonseca-t54.htm Luís Maria Good morning, I am from Portugal and I live near Lisbon at Oeiras (20 km from Lisbon) and I work at the National Agronomical Research Institute (INIA) and my research field is Development of Berries Production Technologies mainly for off-season production. Since always I am interested in ants. "Moderation" I have modified the message. This forum is not about ants rearing (except for scientific purpose) and our position is against the introduction of exotic species for non ... Diverse Subjects Sat, 13 Sep 2008 10:55:31 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/diverse-subjects-f12/luis-lopes-da-fonseca-t54.htm#113 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/diverse-subjects-f12/luis-lopes-da-fonseca-t54.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/happy-hour-f25/ant-course-2008-t52.htm Benoit Guenard I just came back from the Ant Course in Venezuela. This is why I was not able to administrate the forum and unfortunately, we had some spam.Sorry about that. The ant course this year was organized at the Henri Pittier National Park in the province of Aragua. We stayed at the biological station which is an ancient hotel/palace built in the 30's but abandoned for years and years. The 120 rooms that composed this building are now mostly inhabited by bats, lezards and plants that colonized ... Happy hour Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:33:00 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/happy-hour-f25/ant-course-2008-t52.htm#100 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/happy-hour-f25/ant-course-2008-t52.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/hot-topics-nouveautes-f13/myrmecological-news-online-early-t44.htm abuschinger http://www.myrmecologicalnews.org/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=17&Itemid=64

Some papers are free. Very interesting e.g. Heinze: The demise of the standard ant.

A. Buschinger]]> Hot topics / Nouveautes Sun, 20 Jul 2008 08:25:36 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/hot-topics-nouveautes-f13/myrmecological-news-online-early-t44.htm#81 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/hot-topics-nouveautes-f13/myrmecological-news-online-early-t44.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/documentation-books-links-congress-f1/north-american-section-of-iussi-meeting-t53.htm Benoit Guenard A reminder that the end of inscription for the breakout meeting of the North American section of IUSSI is this week (August 31). The meeting is in Puerto Rico from the 24 to the 27 of October. More info here: http://iussi.bees.net/meetings/2008BreakoutMeeting.pdf In the same register, the European section will have its meeting at the end of the week, from August 30 to September 4. More info available at this address: http://www.ulb.ac.be/EU_IUSSI_2008/index.html I hope some ... Documentation / Books / Links / Congress Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:24:39 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/documentation-books-links-congress-f1/north-american-section-of-iussi-meeting-t53.htm#106 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/documentation-books-links-congress-f1/north-american-section-of-iussi-meeting-t53.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/documentation-books-links-congress-f1/expositions-t23.htm Benoit Guenard Permanent exposition: Insectarium of Montreal, Qc, Canada Title of the exposition: Cites Grouillantes / Busy Bodies Website: http://www2.ville.montreal.qc.ca/insectarium/en/index.php?section=52&intParent=4 Species presented: Atta mexicana, Bombus impatiens (bumble bee), Apis mellifera (honeybees) North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, NC, USA Title of the exposition: Website: http://www.naturalsciences.org/ Species presented: Pseudomyrmex ... Documentation / Books / Links / Congress Mon, 18 Feb 2008 16:17:17 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/documentation-books-links-congress-f1/expositions-t23.htm#30 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/documentation-books-links-congress-f1/expositions-t23.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/looking-for-litterature-f20/article-about-chromosome-numbers-t49.htm Laurent C. Hello, I would be very pleased if someone is able to send me a copy of these papers: Loiselle, R., Francoeur, A. and Buschinger, A. 1990. Variations and taxonomic significance of the chromosome numbers in the nearctic species of the genus Leptothorax (S.S.).(Formicidae: Hymenoptera). Caryologia, 43: 321-334. Hung, A.C.F., Imai, H.T. and Kubuta, M. 1972. The chromosomes of nine ant species from taiwan, Republic of China. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am., 65: 1023-1025. Thanks in advance, Looking for Litterature Mon, 11 Aug 2008 05:56:58 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/looking-for-litterature-f20/article-about-chromosome-numbers-t49.htm#95 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/looking-for-litterature-f20/article-about-chromosome-numbers-t49.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/species-identification-f24/cool-picture-of-proceratium-chikasaw-t51.htm James C. Trager Proceratium chickasaw and think it worth sharing with, especially, the southeastern US readers of this forum. http://bugguide.net/node/view/212459/bgimage]]> Species Identification Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:39:39 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/species-identification-f24/cool-picture-of-proceratium-chikasaw-t51.htm#99 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/species-identification-f24/cool-picture-of-proceratium-chikasaw-t51.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/social-organization-f18/big-head-workers-in-pachycondyla-luteipes-t48.htm Benoit Guenard There is sometimes things that you see all the time but never realized. That is why I have appreciated the following article because it made me realize those points (and at the same time gave an exception). In the article: Small queens and big-headed workers in a monomorphic ponerine ant, by Kikuchi et al., published in the early preview of Naturwissenschaften, they found the first example of workers bigger than the queens in Ponerinae. At least for some part of the body, including the head. ... Social Organization Thu, 07 Aug 2008 11:51:08 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/social-organization-f18/big-head-workers-in-pachycondyla-luteipes-t48.htm#93 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/social-organization-f18/big-head-workers-in-pachycondyla-luteipes-t48.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-plant-fungi-interactions-f7/a-new-lifestyle-for-ants-mushroom-harvester-t47.htm Benoit Guenard In the early preview of Naturwissenschaften, an article by Witte and Maschwitz on Euprenolepis procera in Malaysia. Here is the abstract: Ants belong to the most important groups of arthropods, inhabiting and commonly dominating most terrestrial habitats, especially tropical rainforests. Their highly collective behavior enables exploitation of various resources and is viewed as a key factor for their evolutionary success. Accordingly, a great variety of life strategies evolved in this ... Ant - Plant / Fungi Interactions Fri, 01 Aug 2008 09:35:44 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-plant-fungi-interactions-f7/a-new-lifestyle-for-ants-mushroom-harvester-t47.htm#90 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-plant-fungi-interactions-f7/a-new-lifestyle-for-ants-mushroom-harvester-t47.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-ant-interactions-f6/a-case-of-parabiosis-between-two-attini-t46.htm Benoit Guenard In the Online First of Insectes Sociaux is an article on a common nest between a Cyphomyrmex and an Apterostigma. If the fact that they share the nest is not finally that much surprising, what I found was is the way the fungus garden is made. Here is the abstract: Parabiosis between basal fungus-growing ants (Formicidae, Attini) C. E. D. Sanhudo, T. J. Izzo and C. R. F. Brandão Abstract. We describe the first observation of parabiosis between two Attini ants (Apterostigma urichii ... Ant - Ant Interactions Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:50:02 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-ant-interactions-f6/a-case-of-parabiosis-between-two-attini-t46.htm#88 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-ant-interactions-f6/a-case-of-parabiosis-between-two-attini-t46.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/methodology-f21/a-laboratory-diet-tested-t8.htm Benoit Guenard In Insectes Sociaux 54(1): 100-104: Development of a chemically defined diet for ants J. Straka and H. Feldhaar A chemically defined diet is a useful tool for the study of nutritional physiology of organisms. We have developed such a diet for Camponotus carpenter ants to facilitate experiments on nutritional requirements of these ants. Worker colonies of Camponotus floridanus were fed with a chemically defined diet, containing all essential minerals, amino acids, vitamins, growth ... Methodology Tue, 29 Jan 2008 23:38:36 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/methodology-f21/a-laboratory-diet-tested-t8.htm#9 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/methodology-f21/a-laboratory-diet-tested-t8.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/species-identification-f24/ants-of-costa-rica-and-japan-t45.htm Benoit Guenard I have traveled quite a lot during the last 3 months and took pictures of ants of Japan and Costa Rica. While I am still waiting to receive my specimens collected in Costa Rica, I already put online most of my pictures. If some of you are interested in discovering them, they are at this address: http://www4.ncsu.edu/~bsguenar/Index%20pictures.html There is some species that I could not figure out what they were but if some of you have a guess, please let me know. Also, I would like ... Species Identification Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:26:55 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/species-identification-f24/ants-of-costa-rica-and-japan-t45.htm#83 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/species-identification-f24/ants-of-costa-rica-and-japan-t45.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/hot-topics-nouveautes-f13/journal-of-applied-entomology-formica-special-number-t37.htm Benoit Guenard The Journal of Applied Entomology has in its last edition of May 2008, articles only about ants and especially on Formica. Many studies look at the impact of ants as ecosystem engineers. Some other are interested in the distribution of native Formica in the Yellowstone park, or on the evolution of 30 years old introduced Formica population. Here is the list of the different articles: Ants in the soil system;a hydrological, chemical and biological approach pp. 265-265(1) Authors: ... Hot topics / Nouveautes Sun, 13 Apr 2008 13:57:04 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/hot-topics-nouveautes-f13/journal-of-applied-entomology-formica-special-number-t37.htm#65 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/hot-topics-nouveautes-f13/journal-of-applied-entomology-formica-special-number-t37.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/hot-topics-nouveautes-f13/new-evidences-for-the-evolution-of-eusociality-by-kin-selection-t43.htm Benoit Guenard An article by William O. H. Hughes, Benjamin P. Oldroyd, Madeleine Beekman and Francis L. W. Ratnieks is published in Science 320 p 1213-1216, under the title: Ancestral Monogamy Shows Kin Selection Is Key to the Evolution of Eusociality Here is the abstract: Close relatedness has long been considered crucial to the evolution of eusociality. However, it has recently been suggested that close relatedness may be a consequence, rather than a cause, of eusociality. We tested this idea with ... Hot topics / Nouveautes Fri, 30 May 2008 13:23:55 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/hot-topics-nouveautes-f13/new-evidences-for-the-evolution-of-eusociality-by-kin-selection-t43.htm#78 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/hot-topics-nouveautes-f13/new-evidences-for-the-evolution-of-eusociality-by-kin-selection-t43.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-animals-interactions-f8/mutualism-ants-and-their-insect-partners-t40.htm Simo V There seems to be a brand new book about ants and their insect partners: Stadler, B. & Dixon, A. F. G. 2008. Mutualism, Ants and their Insect Partners. Cambridge University Press. 226 p. http://www.cambridge.org/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=9780521860352 I am considering buying this and would like to know if someone has opinion or two about its quality and scope. Book seems to be concentrated mainly on ant-aphid relations, but looks interesting nonetheless. Ant - Animals Interactions Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:59:04 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-animals-interactions-f8/mutualism-ants-and-their-insect-partners-t40.htm#71 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-animals-interactions-f8/mutualism-ants-and-their-insect-partners-t40.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-communication-f10/different-types-of-foraging-trail-pheromone-in-monomorium-pharaonis-t42.htm Benoit Guenard In the Online first of Insectes Sociaux, this paper on the time persistence of three different types of pheromone trails in Monomorium pharaonis. Decay rates of attractive and repellent pheromones in an ant foraging trail network by E. J. H. Robinson, K. E. Green, E. A. Jenner, M. Holcombe and F. L. W. Ratnieks Pharaoh’s ants (Monomorium pharaonis) use at least three types of foraging trail pheromone: a long-lasting attractive pheromone and two short-lived pheromones, one attractive ... Ant Communication Tue, 29 Apr 2008 01:20:35 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-communication-f10/different-types-of-foraging-trail-pheromone-in-monomorium-pharaonis-t42.htm#76 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-communication-f10/different-types-of-foraging-trail-pheromone-in-monomorium-pharaonis-t42.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/hot-topics-nouveautes-f13/invasive-alien-species-a-european-concern-eu-consultation-t41.htm abuschinger Invasive Alien Species – A European Concern Here is an important questionnaire. “The consultation seeks the views of all stakeholders on the scale of IAS problems and how to address them most effectively at EU level.” I think that everybody who is concerned about the growing international trade of exotic species (plants, fish, …ants) should fill in the questionnaire until 5 May: http://ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/ipm/forms/dispatch?form=Invasive A. Buschinger Hot topics / Nouveautes Mon, 28 Apr 2008 18:44:02 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/hot-topics-nouveautes-f13/invasive-alien-species-a-european-concern-eu-consultation-t41.htm#72 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/hot-topics-nouveautes-f13/invasive-alien-species-a-european-concern-eu-consultation-t41.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/diverse-subjects-f12/roy-snelling-t39.htm James C. Trager
I would add that Roy went in his sleep while on a research expedition in Kenya -- not so bad a way to die, when one must.]]> Diverse Subjects Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:30:04 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/diverse-subjects-f12/roy-snelling-t39.htm#69 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/diverse-subjects-f12/roy-snelling-t39.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/looking-for-litterature-f20/revision-of-stegomyrmex-t38.htm Benoit Guenard A revision of Stegomyrmex just came out in Journal of Hymenoptera research, but unfortunately, we don't have a subscription here at NCSU. I would like to know if anybody can have access to it and send me a PDF copy. Thanks Here are the reference of the article: Revisionary Studies on the Enigmatic Neotropical Ant Genus Stegomyrmex Emery, 1912 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae), With the Description of Two New Species, by Rodrigo M. Feitosa, Carlos R.F. Brandão, and Jorge L.M. Diniz. Journal ... Looking for Litterature Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:54:52 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/looking-for-litterature-f20/revision-of-stegomyrmex-t38.htm#68 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/looking-for-litterature-f20/revision-of-stegomyrmex-t38.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/documentation-books-links-congress-f1/book-on-ants-of-colombia-t36.htm Benoit Guenard I found today a new book on the ants of Colombia available on Internet: Sistemática, Biogeografía y Conservación de las Hormigas Cazadoras de Colombia It was apparently released the 4th of April and is edited by the Instituto de Investigacion de Recursos Biologicos Alexander Humboldt. The book has the particularity to have some chapters in Spanish and others in English or in French. Myrmecologists have definitively to be pluri-lingual. Here is the description in Spanish of the ... Documentation / Books / Links / Congress Fri, 11 Apr 2008 20:37:07 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/documentation-books-links-congress-f1/book-on-ants-of-colombia-t36.htm#63 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/documentation-books-links-congress-f1/book-on-ants-of-colombia-t36.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/species-identification-f24/identification-request-pseudomyrmex-t35.htm Benoit Guenard I took some pictures recently of this Pseudomyrmex species at the Museum of life and science in Durham, NC. The colony lives in association with an Acacia tree. Apparently originally, the tree (and the ant colony)comes from Florida. I would appreciate any help for the identification or what specific criteria I could use to identify them. Here are the link to the pictures: http://www4.ncsu.edu/~bsguenar/Pics%20Pseudomyrmex%20spA.html Species Identification Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:06:13 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/species-identification-f24/identification-request-pseudomyrmex-t35.htm#56 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/species-identification-f24/identification-request-pseudomyrmex-t35.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-evolution-phylogeny-f9/the-evolution-of-ant-agriculture-t34.htm Benoit Guenard This week in PNAS (early edition) is published an article untitled: Major evolutionary transitions in ant agriculture, by Ted Schultz and Sean Brady. In this article they present a phylogeny of the fungus-growing ants and different hypothesis to reconstruct the major transitions in ant-agriculture evolution. Here is the abstract: Agriculture is a specialized form of symbiosis that is known to have evolved in only four animal groups: humans, bark beetles, termites, and ants. Here, ... Ant Evolution / Phylogeny Tue, 25 Mar 2008 11:03:58 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-evolution-phylogeny-f9/the-evolution-of-ant-agriculture-t34.htm#54 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-evolution-phylogeny-f9/the-evolution-of-ant-agriculture-t34.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-taxonomy-f4/north-america-paratrechina-revision-finally-available-digita-t32.htm James C. Trager Paratrechina revision, it is (though not yet linked at AntBase) now available from there as a printable pdf -- http://antbase.org/ants/publications/2902/2902.pdf .]]> Ant Taxonomy Tue, 11 Mar 2008 13:49:29 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-taxonomy-f4/north-america-paratrechina-revision-finally-available-digita-t32.htm#48 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-taxonomy-f4/north-america-paratrechina-revision-finally-available-digita-t32.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/hot-topics-nouveautes-f13/useful-ants-t31.htm Benoit Guenard In this world more and more based on materialism and profitability it is sometimes difficult to explain to non scientific people (and even to some scientific colleagues) that I work on ants and why it can be interesting and useful. Usually, the discussion the discussion looks like: Me:" Ants are important in ecological processes: they regulate other insects populations, they can disperse seeds, they move around the ground, blablabla blablabla,..." And in 90% of the cases, my ... Hot topics / Nouveautes Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:36:09 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/hot-topics-nouveautes-f13/useful-ants-t31.htm#46 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/hot-topics-nouveautes-f13/useful-ants-t31.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-taxonomy-f4/revision-of-polyergus-t28.htm James C. Trager Hello all: I am actually working on the revision of Polyergus that some readers will know that I have been promising for years. At the moment, I am gathering the morphometric data for the western North American breviceps group. I will proceed next to the lucidus group, then to the Eurasian forms. These measuring marathons will be followed by statistical analysis, writing and rewriting and rewriting, some drawing and table preparation, and eventually, a manuscript worthy of publication. I ... Ant Taxonomy Thu, 28 Feb 2008 23:18:10 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-taxonomy-f4/revision-of-polyergus-t28.htm#40 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-taxonomy-f4/revision-of-polyergus-t28.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-ant-interactions-f6/first-report-of-social-parasitism-in-ectatommninae-t27.htm Benoit Guenard A new article published in Zootaxa by Feitosa et al. describe the first case of a social parasitism for an Ectatomma species. This article is interesting by two aspects. The first one is that it reports a social parasitism case for the Ectatomminae subfamily. The second aspect is that it provide a new example of social parasitism for tropical (or subtropical) ecosystems. Social parasitism examples are numerous for temperate ecosystems, however this is due probably to a sampling biaisis ... Ant - Ant Interactions Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:17:02 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-ant-interactions-f6/first-report-of-social-parasitism-in-ectatommninae-t27.htm#39 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-ant-interactions-f6/first-report-of-social-parasitism-in-ectatommninae-t27.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-animals-interactions-f8/mites-t25.htm Benoit Guenard One of the advantage to take macropictures is sometimes to found some details that we miss usually. Regularly, while I'm looking at the result of the pictures, I realize that while I thought I only took a picture of ant, this one harbor a guess, or I should say a parasite. However it seems that some species, even some genus are more sensitive than others (based on my observations). As an example Lasius can be found often with one to many mites as presented on the picture below. On ... Ant - Animals Interactions Wed, 27 Feb 2008 02:25:34 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-animals-interactions-f8/mites-t25.htm#35 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-animals-interactions-f8/mites-t25.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-evolution-phylogeny-f9/the-genome-size-of-ants-t26.htm Benoit Guenard Neil D. Tsutsui, Andrew V. Suarez, Joseph C. Spagna and J. Spencer present a new article untitled: The evolution of genome size in ants, published in BMC Evolutionary Biology 2008, 8:64 doi:10.1186/1471-2148-8-64 http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1471-2148-8-64.pdf Here is the abstract: Background: Despite the economic and ecological importance of ants, genomic tools for this family (Formicidae) remain woefully scarce. Knowledge of genome size, for example, is ... Ant Evolution / Phylogeny Wed, 27 Feb 2008 09:33:58 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-evolution-phylogeny-f9/the-genome-size-of-ants-t26.htm#36 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-evolution-phylogeny-f9/the-genome-size-of-ants-t26.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-evolution-phylogeny-f9/an-early-ant-evolution-based-on-fossils-t24.htm Benoit Guenard A new article by Perrichot V., S. Lacau, D. Néraudeau and A. Nel on an eventual hypothesis of an earlier evolution of ants than what was proposed earlier. The article is untitled: Fossil evidence for the early ant evolution and is published in Naturwissenschaften 95:85-90 Link to the article: http://www.springerlink.com/content/dgqj3574h1j54663/fulltext.pdf Here is the abstract: Ants are one of the most studied insects in the world; and the literature devoted to their origin ... Ant Evolution / Phylogeny Thu, 21 Feb 2008 23:47:14 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-evolution-phylogeny-f9/an-early-ant-evolution-based-on-fossils-t24.htm#32 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-evolution-phylogeny-f9/an-early-ant-evolution-based-on-fossils-t24.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/diverse-subjects-f12/jean-luc-marrou-jlm-t22.htm jean-luc Marrou (JLM) Tout d'abord, tous mes encouragements pour ce nouveau forum !!!! Superbe initiative. J'essayerai de suivre ce qui s'y fait, même si mon niveau en Anglais ne plaide pas en ma faveur. Mais bon Nicolas s'étant proposé pour quelques cours de soutien vu la progresion fulgurante que cela risque de susciter. Diverse Subjects Fri, 15 Feb 2008 19:15:35 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/diverse-subjects-f12/jean-luc-marrou-jlm-t22.htm#29 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/diverse-subjects-f12/jean-luc-marrou-jlm-t22.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/hot-topics-nouveautes-f13/how-to-collect-army-ants-a-chimpanzee-perspective-t20.htm Benoit Guenard I have to admit, I did not really know where write this note, maybe in methodology? But finally I have chosen the Hot Topics section. The article has for title: The nature of culture: Technological variation in chimpanzee predation on army ants revisited. And is published this week in the The Journal of Human Evolution, by Schoning et al.. Except the fact that this article is a supplementary example of the use of tools by chimpanzees and its cultural and ecological variations, breaking ... Hot topics / Nouveautes Fri, 15 Feb 2008 10:46:45 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/hot-topics-nouveautes-f13/how-to-collect-army-ants-a-chimpanzee-perspective-t20.htm#27 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/hot-topics-nouveautes-f13/how-to-collect-army-ants-a-chimpanzee-perspective-t20.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/documentation-books-links-congress-f1/notes-from-underground-t19.htm Benoit Guenard The last version of Notes from Underground is out: http://www.notesfromunderground.org/ However, due to a lack of articles submitted, the editor has a lack of motivation and is thinking to stop it. Here is the editorial line: Well folks here it is overdue but finally ready. As you saw from the intro page I am wondering if this is going to be the last issue of Notes. The reason for this quandry is quite simply the lack of support in the form of printable material. We have close to ... Documentation / Books / Links / Congress Thu, 14 Feb 2008 02:56:27 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/documentation-books-links-congress-f1/notes-from-underground-t19.htm#26 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/documentation-books-links-congress-f1/notes-from-underground-t19.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/hot-topics-nouveautes-f13/natural-resitance-to-gmo-plant-t18.htm Benoit Guenard This does not concern the ants directly, but could be and is a proof of the rapid evolutionary rates in insects. Published this week in the review Nature Biotechnology, an article by Tabashnik et al. about the natural development of resistance by a species of Lepidoptera to transgenic crops. Beside the fact that this should reactivate the debate on GMO and give ammo to their opponents, it also shown that insect populations are able to develop resistance in a short period of time (here less ... Hot topics / Nouveautes Fri, 08 Feb 2008 23:37:20 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/hot-topics-nouveautes-f13/natural-resitance-to-gmo-plant-t18.htm#23 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/hot-topics-nouveautes-f13/natural-resitance-to-gmo-plant-t18.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/diverse-subjects-f12/nicolas-tirard-t16.htm Nicolas Tirard I apologize in advance for my bad english level. Indeed, like Benoit, I am french. And french people are well known for their ability to speek... french. But I promize I will try to improve my english skills ! I won't talk about my expertness, cause I am far to be an expert. But I have allways been interested in the study of myrmecology, and spent a long time observing the behaviours of french species. I am one of the moderators of a french forum dealing with the subject (don't know if I ... Diverse Subjects Mon, 04 Feb 2008 10:04:43 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/diverse-subjects-f12/nicolas-tirard-t16.htm#18 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/diverse-subjects-f12/nicolas-tirard-t16.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/documentation-books-links-congress-f1/talk-events-t14.htm Benoit Guenard When? March 25 Where? Chicago What? Army Ants, Orchids, and Dancing Frogs by Mark Moffett More info available here: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/nglive/pdf/CHI08_Moffett.pdf and here: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/nglive/chicago/moffett.html Documentation / Books / Links / Congress Fri, 01 Feb 2008 21:29:19 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/documentation-books-links-congress-f1/talk-events-t14.htm#16 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/documentation-books-links-congress-f1/talk-events-t14.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-physiology-f11/exocrine-glands-in-cerapachyinae-t13.htm Benoit Guenard al., Contents of the exocrine glands of the ant subfamily Cerapachyinae, Biochem. Syst. Ecol. (2008), doi:10.1016/j.bse.2007.02.007

In this article, the authors reveals some of the secret of this little know subfamily by examining the chemistry of the mandibular glands, the Dufour glands, the sternal and venom glands of two species of Cerapachys and one species of Cylindromyrmex.]]> Ant Physiology Fri, 01 Feb 2008 11:32:55 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-physiology-f11/exocrine-glands-in-cerapachyinae-t13.htm#15 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-physiology-f11/exocrine-glands-in-cerapachyinae-t13.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/documentation-books-links-congress-f1/theses-available-on-internet-t12.htm Benoit Guenard During their thesis, the students usually do a large literature review and then develop new work and experiments. I personally think that it is interesting to learn about new subject by reading some of these theses. Fortunately many are available on Internet (or for some of them were available on Internet). Don't hesitate to consult them. In English / En Anglais: (40 theses) On ants / Sur les fourmis: - Foraging Activity and Food Preferences of the Odorous House Ant (Tapinoma sessile ... Documentation / Books / Links / Congress Thu, 31 Jan 2008 19:38:04 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/documentation-books-links-congress-f1/theses-available-on-internet-t12.htm#13 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/documentation-books-links-congress-f1/theses-available-on-internet-t12.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-taxonomy-f4/help-for-identification-t11.htm Benoit Guenard I have tried to gather some of the publications useful for ant taxonomy all around the world. It needs to be updated (and I will try to) but that can make a good start. By taxonomical classification: http://www4.ncsu.edu/~bsguenar/Taxonomical%20links.htm By geographic classification: http://www4.ncsu.edu/~bsguenar/Formicidae%20repartition.htm If you find some that are not in those lists, please let me know. Thanks Ant Taxonomy Thu, 31 Jan 2008 17:47:45 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-taxonomy-f4/help-for-identification-t11.htm#12 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/ant-taxonomy-f4/help-for-identification-t11.htm http://formicidae.darkbb.com/documentation-books-links-congress-f1/ants-laboratory-around-the-world-t10.htm Benoit Guenard http://www4.ncsu.edu/~bsguenar/List%20laboratories.htm

It is in French, but easy to understand for English speaking people.
Let me know if you know some people that I forgot or if the links are dead.]]> Documentation / Books / Links / Congress Thu, 31 Jan 2008 17:42:59 GMT http://formicidae.darkbb.com/documentation-books-links-congress-f1/ants-laboratory-around-the-world-t10.htm#11 http://formicidae.darkbb.com/documentation-books-links-congress-f1/ants-laboratory-around-the-world-t10.htm