02883nas a2200181 4500008004100000022001400041245012600055210006900181300001000250490000700260520219000267653001702457653002402474653001402498653002002512100001802532856015102550 2013 eng d a1994-413600aGeographic spread of the samsum or sword ant, Pachycondyla (Brachyponera) sennaarensis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)0 aGeographic spread of the samsum or sword ant emPachycondyla Brac a13-180 v183 a

The samsum or sword ant, Pachycondyla (Brachyponera) sennaarensis (MAYR, 1862), is a widespread, conspicuous ant in the savannas and open forests of sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. This ant is also common in villages and cities, where it is well known for its powerful sting that sometimes leads to anaphylactic shock in humans and even death. Recent first reports of P. sennaarensis from subtropical parts (> 23.4° N) of the Arabian Peninsula and Iran have led many researchers to conclude that populations of this ant are expanding. To evaluate this possibility, I compiled and mapped specimen records of P. sennaarensis from > 300 sites. I documented the earliest known P. sennaarensis records for 40 countries, including several for which I found no previously published records: Bahrain, Chad, India, Liberia, Mozambique, and Zambia. In 1925, when most of the world's ant fauna was still poorly documented, P. sennaarensis had already been collected from widely shattered locales in 26 countries across tropical Africa and Arabia. In addition, there is a single isolated 1896 record of P. sennaarensis from an apparently temporary population in tropical India. All P. sennaarensis records from subtropical sites north of 23.4° N (in Bahrain, Kuwait, Iran, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia) are from after 1950, except one record from just outside the tropics (Muscat, Oman; 23.6° N). It is possible that P. sennaarensis populations have lived in these subtropical areas for a long time, but are only now being reported, perhaps due to a recent population increase of this species. In fact, although the earliest specimen record from Iran dates to 2001, older residents of southeastern Iran remember the sting of P. sennaarensis from their childhood. Still, it is possible that P. sennaarensis has really expanded its geographic range northeastward into new regions during the past few decades. If true, and if populations of P. sennaarensis continue to spread eastward from Iran, through subtropical southern Pakistan, they could soon become established in tropical India, where this species may be expected to thrive.

10aBiogeography10abiological invasion10apest ants10arange expansion1 aWetterer, J K uhttp://myrmecologicalnews.org/cms/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=557:myrmecol-news-18-13-18-online-earlier&Itemid=83&layout=default02522nas a2200181 4500008004100000245009500041210006900136260002100205300001200226490000700238520188900245100001802134700001402152700001602166700002102182700001702203856012002220 2009 eng d00aWorldwide spread of the Argentine ant, Linepithema humile (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)0 aWorldwide spread of the Argentine ant iLinepithema humilei Hymen cSeptember 2009,  a187-1940 v123 a*[The Argentine ant, Linepithema humile (Mayr, 1868), originally from subtropical South America, is an important pest in many parts of the world. To evaluate its worldwide distribution & potential for further spread, we mapped records of L. humile from more than 2100 sites. Because several South & Central American Linepithema species have been often mis-identified as L. humile, we excluded all unconfirmed South & Central American records. We documented the earliest known L. humile records for 95 geographic areas (countries, island groups, major islands, & US states), including several for which we found no previously published records. We could not confirm any L. humile records from several South & Central American countries with published reports.Most records of L. humile come from the subtropics, particularly from regions with Mediterranean-like climates (i.e., warm dry summers and cool moist winters), including its native range in South America & exotic populations in California, the Mediterranean, southern Africa, Australia, New Zealand, & Japan. In more humid subtropical areas, such as the southeast US, L. humile rarely dominates outside urban areas. In tropical latitudes, L. humile dominates only at higher elevations, most notably in Hawaii. In temperate areas, L. humile is almost exclusively an indoor pest. Linepithema humile has already spread to most subtropical lowland regions with Mediterranean-like climates, but is not known yet from most tropical highland areas with suitable climates. In the past, L. humile probably arrived in tropical regions by sea accompanying human commerce & had to survive coastal lowland conditions before spreading to higher, cooler elevations. Nowadays air travel allows L. humile to stowaway in cargo delivered almost anywhere in the world. Therefore, a wider spread of this pest is expected in the future.]1 aWetterer, J K1 aWild, A L1 aSuarez, A V1 aRoura-Pascual, N1 aEspadaler, X uhttps://antkey.myspecies.info/en/content/worldwide-spread-argentine-ant-ilinepithema-humilei-hymenoptera-formicidae00560nas a2200133 4500008004100000245010700041210006900148260002100217300001000238490000700248100002000255700001500275856013600290 2010 eng d00aNatural history and phylogeny of the fungus-farming ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae: Attini)0 aNatural history and phylogeny of the fungusfarming ants Hymenopt cApril; 27 Novemb a37-550 v131 aMehdiabadi, N J1 aSchultz, R uhttps://antkey.myspecies.info/en/content/natural-history-and-phylogeny-fungus-farming-ants-hymenoptera-formicidae-myrmicinae-attini