A review of Bahamian ant (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) biogeography

*[The ants collected on Staniel Cay, Exumas, surrounding small cays, and the northeastern region of Andros are listed; along with all previously published collection records of ants from the Bahamas, in accord with current taxonomy. Distribution for each species in the Bahamas is given, along with the status of each species with reference to its origin as endemic, native, or exotic. 75 named species of ants are known from the Bahamas, which shares 60% of its ant fauna with Florida and 71% with Cuba. 37% of the species are exotics, which appear to exist primarily in areas characterized by human disturbance, and apparently have not invaded the native vegetation to a large degree. Most islands have not been very thoroughly surveyed. Both historical and ecological factors are likely to have played important roles in shaping present-day Bahamian ant species diversity and distribution. The number of species on all major Bahamian islands from which ants have been collected is presented as a function of island area. The species-area relationship for the more thoroughly surveyed islands is relatively flat (z = 0.06). A single male was either Leptothorax nr. pulchellus or Leptothorax nr. terricola.]