Formica densiventris

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Formica densiventris
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Formicinae
Tribe: Formicini
Genus: Formica
Species group: microgyna
Species: F. densiventris
Binomial name
Formica densiventris
Viereck, 1903

Formica-densiventris MCZ001L.jpg

Formica-densiventris MCZ001D.jpg

Specimen Label

Synonyms

Nests are usually found under stones, but may be found in logs and stumps, and under bark, and may be composed entirely of thatching or only partially covered with thatching. The species occurs from prairies, including disturbed, weedy areas, to semiarid scrub up to pinyon-juniper, ponderosa pine-riparian, Douglas fir, and spruce-fir forests. Brood and reproductives have been found in nests in June to August. Workers are very aggressive when the nest is disturbed. Foragers tend aphids. This is one of the most common Formica species in northern New Mexico. It is known to enslave a range of Formica species.

At a Glance • Dulotic  

Identification

Distribution

Alberta, Canada and the western United States.

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: 53.991° to 19.022222°.

     
North
Temperate 		North
Subtropical 		Tropical South
Subtropical 		South
Temperate

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Nearctic Region: Canada, United States (type locality).
Neotropical Region: Mexico.

Distribution based on AntMaps

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Distribution based on AntWeb specimens

Check data from AntWeb

Countries Occupied

Number of countries occupied by this species based on AntWiki Regional Taxon Lists. In general, fewer countries occupied indicates a narrower range, while more countries indicates a more widespread species.
pChart

Habitat

In New Mexico (Mackay and Mackay 2002) - Prairies, including disturbed, weedy areas, to semiarid scrub up to pinyon-juniper, ponderosa pine-riparian, Douglas fir, and spruce-fir forests.

Biology

In New Mexico (Mackay and Mackay 2002): brood and reproductives were found in nests in June to August. A dealate female collected on 3 July 1986. Workers are very aggressive when the nest is disturbed. Foragers tend aphids. This is one of the most common Formica spp. in northern New Mexico.

Nevada, Wheeler and Wheeler (1986) - Our 24 records are from 16 localities, which are widely scattered throughout the state north of the Hot Desert; 5,500-10,000 ft. Five records are from the Pinyon-Juniper Biome, 6 from the Coniferous Forest Biome, and 1 is from the ecotone above it. Four nests were in and under rotten wood, 1 was under a stone, 1 was under a stone surmounted by thatch, and 1 was under a prostrate sagebrush trunk. When a populous nest was disturbed the workers moved rapidly and attacked promptly; the bite was annoying.

Slave Making

Formica pergandei is known to enslave the following species:

Association with Other Organisms

Explore-icon.png Explore: Show all Associate data or Search these data. See also a list of all data tables or learn how data is managed.
  • This species is a mutualist for the aphid Aphis lugentis (a trophobiont) (Jones, 1927; Saddiqui et al., 2019).
  • This species is a mutualist for the aphid Obtusicauda frigidae (a trophobiont) (Jones, 1927; Saddiqui et al., 2019).
  • This species is a prey for the Microdon fly Microdon manitobensis (a predator) (Quevillon, 2018).

Castes

Worker

Mcz-ent00516885-Formica-densiventris-hef.jpgMcz-ent00516885-Formica-densiventris-hal.jpgMcz-ent00516885-Formica-densiventris-had.jpgMcz-ent00516885 Formica densiventris lbs.jpgMcz-ent00668579 Formica densiventris hef.jpgMcz-ent00668579 Formica densiventris hal.jpgMcz-ent00668579 Formica densiventris had.jpgMcz-ent00668579 Formica densiventris lbs.jpg
. Owned by Museum of Comparative Zoology.

Images from AntWeb

Formica densiventris casent0102794 head 1.jpgFormica densiventris casent0102794 profile 1.jpgFormica densiventris casent0102794 dorsal 1.jpgFormica densiventris casent0102794 label 1.jpg
Worker. Specimen code casent0102794. Photographer Jen Fogarty, uploaded by California Academy of Sciences. Owned by CAS, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Formica densiventris casent0005386 head 1.jpgFormica densiventris casent0005386 profile 1.jpgFormica densiventris casent0005386 dorsal 1.jpgFormica densiventris casent0005386 label 1.jpg
Worker. Specimen code casent0005386. Photographer April Nobile, uploaded by California Academy of Sciences. Owned by UCDC, Davis, CA, USA.

Nomenclature

The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.

  • densiventris. Formica fusca var. densiventris Viereck, 1903: 74 (w.) U.S.A. Cole, 1954a: 90 (m.). Junior synonym of subaenescens: Wheeler, W.M. 1913f: 504. Revived from synonymy as subspecies of fusca: Brown, 1947: 7. Raised to species: Creighton, 1950a: 499. Senior synonym of spicata: Cole, 1954a: 89; Cole, 1955b: 50; of rasilis: Mackay, Lowrie, et al. 1988: 114.
  • rasilis. Formica microgyna var. rasilis Wheeler, W.M. 1903e: 648 (w.q.m.) U.S.A. Subspecies of microgyna: Wheeler, W.M. 1913f: 468. Raised to species: Creighton, 1950a: 506. Junior synonym of densiventris: Mackay, Lowrie, et al. 1988: 114.
  • spicata. Formica rasilis subsp. spicata Creighton, 1950a: 507 (w.q.m.) U.S.A. [First available use of Formica microgyna subsp. rasilis var. spicata Wheeler, W.M. 1913f: 469; unavailable name.] Material of the unavailable name pinetorum referred here by Creighton, 1950a: 507. Junior synonym of densiventris: Cole, 1954a: 89; Cole, 1955b: 50.

Taxonomic Notes

The nomenclature and status of this ant have been very complicated. The description by Viereck (1903) is brief and completely inadequate, and based on two poorly preserved specimens (Brown, 1947). This has created considerable confusion. A number of species and subspecies have been synonymized with F. densiventris (Creighton, 1950; Cole, 1955b). Wheeler (1903c) described a taxon, F. rasilis based on workers, queens and males. Subsequently hybridization was observed between F. rasilis and F. densiventris (Creighton, 1950; Cole, 1955b; Gregg, 1963). Because of this, Gregg chose to consider F. densiventris as a subspecies of F. rasilis. We do not recognize a separate subspecies and due to precedence of date of publication (Viereck: Jan 1903; Wheeler: Nov 1903c) we consider the proper name of the species to be Formica densiventris Viereck (Mackay et al. 1988).

Description

References

  • Borowiec, M.L., Cover, S.P., Rabeling, C. 2021. The evolution of social parasitism in Formica ants revealed by a global phylogeny. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 118, e2026029118 (doi:10.1073/pnas.2026029118).
  • Brown, W. L., Jr. 1947. A note upon two neglected species of Formica Linn. (Hym.: Formicidae). Entomol. News 58: 6-9 (page 7, Revived from synonymy as subspecies of fusca)
  • Cole, A. C., Jr. 1942. The ants of Utah. Am. Midl. Nat. 28: 358-388.
  • Cole, A. C., Jr. 1954a. Studies of New Mexico ants. VIII. A solution to the Formica densiventris Viereck problem (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). J. Tenn. Acad. Sci. 29: 89-90 (page 90, male described; page 89, Senior synonym of spicata)
  • Cole, A. C., Jr. 1955b. Studies of New Mexico ants. XV. Additions, corrections, and new synonymy. J. Tenn. Acad. Sci. 30: 49-50 (page 50, Senior synonym of spicata)
  • Creighton, W. S. 1950a. The ants of North America. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 104: 1-585 (page 499, Raised to species)
  • Gregg, R. E. 1963. The ants of Colorado, with reference to their ecology, taxonomy, and geographic distribution. Boulder: University of Colorado Press, xvi + 792 pp.
  • Mackay, W. P. and E. Mackay. 2002. The ants of New Mexico (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Edwin Mellen Press, Lewiston, NY.
  • Mackay, W. P.; Lowrie, D.; Fisher, A.; Mackay, E. E.; Barnes, F.; Lowrie, D. 1988. The ants of Los Alamos County, New Mexico (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Pp. 79-131 in: Trager, J. C. (ed.) Advances in myrmecology. Leiden: E. J. Brill, xxvii + 551 pp. (page 114, Senior synonym of rasilis)
  • Mallis, A. 1941. A list of the ants of California with notes on their habits and distribution. Bull. South. Calif. Acad. Sci. 40: 61–100.
  • Viereck, H. L. 1903. Hymenoptera of Beulah, New Mexico. [part]. Trans. Am. Entomol. Soc. 29: 56-87 (page 74, worker described)
  • Wheeler, G. C. and J. Wheeler. 1986. The ants of Nevada. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles.
  • Wheeler, W. M. 1913i. A revision of the ants of the genus Formica (Linné) Mayr. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 53: 379-565 (page 504, Junior synonym of subaenescens)

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

  • Allred D. M. 1982. Ants of Utah. The Great Basin Naturalist 42: 415-511.
  • Allred, D.M. 1982. The ants of Utah. Great Basin Naturalist 42:415-511.
  • Bestelmeyer B. T., and J. A. Wiens. 2001. Local and regional-scale responses of ant diversity to a semiarid biome transition. Ecography 24: 381-392.
  • Browne J. T., R. E. Gregg. 1969. A study of the ecological distribution of ants in Gregory Canyon, Boulder, Colorado. University of Colorado Studies. Series in Biology 30: 1-48
  • Cole A. C., Jr. 1942. The ants of Utah. American Midland Naturalist 28: 358-388.
  • Cole A. C., Jr. 1956. Studies of Nevada ants. III. The status of Formica nevadensis Wheeler (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Journal of the Tennessee Academy of Science 31: 256-257.
  • Field Museum Collection, Chicago, Illinois (C. Moreau)
  • Francoeur A. 2010. Liste des especes de fourmis (Formicides, Hymenopteres). Entomofaune du Quebec. Document Faunique no. 1, Version 5, 0. 1-10 pp.
  • Glasier J. R. N., S. E. Nielsen, J. Acorn, and J. Pinzon. 2019. Boreal sand hills are areas of high diversity for Boreal ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Diversity 11, 22; doi:10.3390/d11020022.
  • Glasier J. R. N., S. Nielsen, J. H. Acorn, L. H. Borysenko, and T. Radtke. 2016. A checklist of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Saskatchewan. The Canadian Field-Naturalist 130(1): 40-48.
  • Glesne R. S. 2000. Terrestrial riparian arthropod investigations in the Big Beaver Creek Research Natural Area, North Cascades National Park Service Complex, 1995-1996: Part IV, Hymenoptera: Formicidae. 48 pages
  • Gregg, R.T. 1963. The Ants of Colorado.
  • Johnson R. Personnal Database. Accessed on February 5th 2014 at http://www.asu.edu/clas/sirgtools/resources.htm
  • La Rivers I. 1968. A first listing of the ants of Nevada. Biological Society of Nevada, Occasional Papers 17: 1-12.
  • Longino, J.T. 2010. Personal Communication. Longino Collection Database
  • MacKay W. P. 1993. Succession of ant species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on low-level nuclear waste sites in northern New Mexico. Sociobiology 23: 1-11.
  • Mackay W. P., and E. E. Mackay. 2002. The ants of New Mexico (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Lewiston, New York: Edwin Mellen Press, 400 pp.
  • Mackay, W., D. Lowrie, A. Fisher, E. Mackay, F. Barnes and D. Lowrie. 1988. The ants of Los Alamos County, New Mexico (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). pages 79-131 in J.C. Trager, editor, Advances in Myrmecololgy.
  • Quiroz Robledo L. N., and J. E. Valenzuela Gonzalez. 1993. Contribucion al conocimiento de la mirmecofauna del estado de Hidalgo, Mexico (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). En: Villavicencio-Nieto (ed) Flora y Fauna del Estado de Hidalgo. Universidad Autónoma de Hidalgo. p. 340-393. ISBN 968-63 40-36-X
  • Rees D. M., and A. W. Grundmann. 1940. A preliminary list of the ants of Utah. Bulletin of the University of Utah, 31(5): 1-12.
  • Siddiqui, J. A., Li, J., Zou, X., Bodlah, I., Huang, X. 2019. Meta-analysis of the global diversity and spatial patterns of aphid-ant mutualistic relationships. Applied Ecology and Environmental Research 17: 5471-5524 (doi:10.15666/aeer/1703_54715524).
  • Vásquez-Bolaños M. 2011. Lista de especies de hormigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) para México. Dugesiana 18: 95-133
  • Wesson L. G., and R. G. Wesson. 1940. A collection of ants from southcentral Ohio. American Midland Naturalist 24: 89-103.
  • Wheeler G. C., and J. Wheeler. 1986. The ants of Nevada. Los Angeles: Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, vii + 138 pp.
  • Wheeler J. N., G. C. Wheeler, R. J. Lavigne, T. A. Christiansen, and D. E. Wheeler. 2014. The ants of Yellowstone National Park. Lexington, Ky. : CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2013. 112 pages.
  • Wheeler W. M. 1913. A revision of the ants of the genus Formica (Linné) Mayr. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 53: 379-565.
  • Wheeler W. M. 1917. The mountain ants of western North America. Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences 52: 457-569.
  • Wheeler, G.C. and J. Wheeler. 1978. Mountain ants of Nevada. Great Basin Naturalist 35(4):379-396
  • Wheeler, G.C. and J. Wheeler. 1988. A checklist of the ants of Wyoming. Insecta Mundi 2(3&4):230-239
  • Yensen N. P., W. H. Clark, and A. Francoeur. 1977. A checklist of Idaho ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Pan-Pacific Entomologist 53: 181-187
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