Froggattella

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Froggattella is sporadically distributed and uncommonly encountered. They generally forage arboreally while nesting either in soil or arboreally. Workers are most often encountered as they forage in distinct trails on low vegetation or small trees. The genus contains two species, Froggattella kirbii and Froggattella latispina. Froggattella kirbii is widely distributed in sclerophyll woodlands of Australia while F. latispina is restricted to arid southern Australia.

At a Glance • Haiku  

Identification

Workers of Froggattella are immediately recognisable by the unique elongate, flattened, rearward-directed, blunt spines on the propodeum, and by the location of the propodeal spiracles which are found on the spines near their bases. No other group of ants in the subfamily Dolichoderinae has this combination of features.

The only other dolichoderine genus with similar placement of the propodeal spiracles is Turneria, but here the propodeum lacks spines, the spiracles are located on the propodeum proper and the petiolar node is only weakly inclined anteriorly and with distinct anterior and posterior faces. In Froggattella the petiolar node is strongly inclined anteriorly and the anterior face is short.

Queen: First gastral segment elongate posteriorly and smooth, without a groove or indentation near the petiolar insertion; anterior clypeal margin with a lateral shoulder, a central projection, either pointed or rounded (sometimes only feebly projecting), and 2 to 4 setae; dorsum of petiole rounded and venter without a lobe.

Male: Mandible without teeth or denticles (tip of mandible rounded and without a differentiated tooth); petiolar scale rounded and forming an even arch dorsally; venter of petiole with a slight or reduced lobe; first gastral segment vertical and not concealing the petiole in dorsal view.

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Keys including this Genus

 

Keys to Species in this Genus

Distribution

Distribution and Richness based on AntMaps

Species by Region

Number of species within biogeographic regions, along with the total number of species for each region.

Afrotropical Region Australasian Region Indo-Australian Region Malagasy Region Nearctic Region Neotropical Region Oriental Region Palaearctic Region
Species 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total Species 2841 1736 3045 932 835 4379 1741 2862

Biology

Life History Traits

  • Mean colony size: ? (Greer et al., 2021)
  • Compound colony type: not parasitic (Greer et al., 2021)
  • Nest site: arboreal (Greer et al., 2021)
  • Diet class: omnivore (Greer et al., 2021)
  • Foraging stratum: subterranean/leaf litter; arboreal (Greer et al., 2021)

Castes

Morphology

Worker Morphology

Explore-icon.png Explore: Show all Worker Morphology data or Search these data. See also a list of all data tables or learn how data is managed.

• Antennal segment count: 12 • Antennal club: gradual • Palp formula: 6,4 • Total dental count: 6-9(+) • Spur formula: 1 simple, 1 pectinate • Eyes: >100 ommatidia • Scrobes: absent • Pronotal Spines: absent • Mesonotal Spines: absent • Propodeal Spines: present • Petiolar Spines: absent • Caste: none or weak • Sting: absent • Metaplural Gland: present • Cocoon: absent

Phylogeny

Dolichoderinae
Tapinomini
⊟
Bothriomyrmecini
⊟
Dolichoderini

Dolichoderus  (150 species, 51 fossil species)

Leptomyrmecini
⊟

See Phylogeny of Dolichoderinae for details.

Nomenclature

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

  • FROGGATTELLA [Dolichoderinae: Leptomyrmecini]
    • Froggattella Forel, 1902h: 459. Type-species: Acantholepis kirbii, by original designation.

Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description.

Froggattella was established by Forel (1902) for the species Acantholepis kirbii Lowne (1865) and the newly described F. kirbii bispinosa Forel. Earlier, A. kirbii had been transferred to Hypoclinea by Mayr (1870) and then to the related genus Dolichoderus by Dalla Torre (1893). The placement of these species in a distinct genus, as suggested by Forel (1902), has been followed by all subsequent authors.

Description

Shattuck (1992):

Worker

HEAD. Vertex weakly concave. Compound eyes present, approximately round; relatively anterior on head. Ocelli absent. Antennae 12 segmented. Scape short, at most surpassing the vertex by less than one-third its length. Anterolateral clypeal margin posterior to the mediolateral region and separated from it by a shoulder. Anteromedial clypeal margin with a central projection, either pointed or rounded (sometimes only feebly projecting). Anterior clypeal setae 0-4; when present short, less than twice the maximum scape diameter; straight. Posterior clypeal margin even with or posterior to the posterior surfaces of the antennal socket cavities. Anterior tentorial pit nearer the antennal socket than the mandibular insertion. Frontal carina present. Anterolateral hypostoma reduced to a thin sclerite. Medial hypostoma entire. Psammophore absent. MOUTHPARTS. Palp formula 6:4. Third maxillary palp segment subequal in length to segment 4. Fifth maxillary palp segment at the apical extreme of segment 4. Mandible with about 9 teeth and no denticles. Apical tooth subequal in length to the subapical tooth. Basal angle weakly defined by a denticle. Basal margin denticulate distally, smooth proximally. MESOSOMA. Posteroventral pronotum lateral, rounded or angled. Mesopleural process absent. Anteromedial mesosternum even with the lateral regions. Declivitous face of propodeum concave; dorsal face convex, longer than the declivitous face. Propodeal angle distinct. Pronotal spines absent. Erect pro notal hairs about 20; elongate, much longer than the maximum scape width. Mesonotal spines absent. Propodeal spines present, distinct (dorsoventrally flattened, extending posteriorly). Propodeal tooth absent. Dorsal pro-mesonotal junction with the pronotum and mesonotum even. Metanotal groove forming a distinct angle between the mesonotum and propodeum. Metanotal spiracle dorsal and lying on the dorsal surface when viewed in lateral profile. Propodeal spiracle dorsal and posterior, located on propodeal spines distal of base. Hind tibial spur with well developed barbules along entire inner surface (except extreme base). PETIOLE. Scale present; rounded and forming an even arch dorsally; strongly inclined anteriorly and with the anterior face much shorter than the posterior face. Venter with a slight or weakly developed lobe. GASTER. First tergite vertical and not concealing the petiole in dorsal view and with a groove or indentation for the reception of the basal portion of the petiole. Anterior tergosternal suture ofthe first segment very weakly developed immediately lateral of the helcium and forming a distinct arch which extends dorsal of the dorsal helcial surface. Fifth tergite ventral, gaster with 4 apparent tergites. Gastral compression dorsoventral. Fourth sternite flat across entire posterior border. GENERAL CHARACTERS. Worker caste monomorphic. Chromosome number unknown.lntegumentthin and flexible, weakly sculptured. PROVENTRICULUS. Cupola much broader than bulb; round; with short pile; smooth, without sculpture; and with narrow phragma. Bulb completely hidden by cupola in lateral view. Longitudinal muscle No.1 absent. Occlusory tract absent.

Queen

HEAD. Vertex flatto weakly concave. Compound eyes relatively anterior on head. Antennae 12 segmented. Scape short, surpassing the vertex by less than one-half scape length. Anterolateral clypeal margin posterior to the mediolateral region and separated from it by a shoulder. Anteromedial clypeal margin with a central projection, either pointed or rounded (sometimes only feebly projecting). Anterior clypeal setae 2-4; short, less than twice the maximum scape diameter; straight. Posterior clypeal margin even with or posterior to the posterior surfaces of the antennal socket cavities. Anterior tentorial pit nearer the antennal socket than the mandibular insertion. Anterolateral hypostoma reduced to a thin sclerite. Medial hypostoma entire. Psammophore absent. MOUTHPARTS. Palp formula 6:4. Third maxillary palp segment subequal in length to segment 4. Fifth maxillary palp segment at the apical extreme of segment 4. Mandible with about 6 teeth and no denticles. Apical tooth subequal in length to the subapical tooth. Basal angle weakly defined by a denticle. Basal margin denticulate distally, smooth proximally. MESOSOMA. Posteroventral pronotum lateral, rounded or angled. Episternal suture complete but weakly developed anteriorly. Mesopleural process absent. Anteromedial mesosternum even with the lateral regions. Axilla parallel and entire. Anterior axillar suture straight. Declivitous and dorsal faces of propodeum convex; dorsal face longer than the declivitous face. Propodeal angle moderately distinct. Propodeal suture absent. Mesosomal spines and tooth absent. Erect mesoscutal hairs about 25; short, less than twice the maximum scape diameter. Propodeal spiracle lateral and ventral of the propodeal dorsum. Hind tibial spur with well developed barbules along entire inner surface (except extreme base). WINGS. Radial cell closed. Fore wing with 2 cubital and 1 discoidal cell. Hind wing with 2 cells. PETIOLE. Scale present; rounded and forming an even arch dorsally; strongly inclined anteriorly and with the anterior face much shorter than the posterior face. Venter without a lobe. GASTER. First segment elongated posteriorly, smooth and without a groove or indentation. Fifth tergite ventral, gaster with 4 apparent tergites. Gastral compression absent (gaster circular in cross section). Fourth sternite flat across entire posterior border.

Male

HEAD. I nner margin of eye entire, flat. Scape length shorter than the length of funicular segments 2+3. First funicular segment barrel-shaped. Second funicular segment cylindrical, straight. Funicular segments 2 and 3 at most twice as long as broad. Third and fourth funicular segments straight. Anteromedial clypeal margin entire, without a notch or concavity of any type. Anterior clypeal setae 4-6; short, about as long as the maximum diameter of the scape; straight. Posterior clypeal margin between the anterior and posterior surfaces of the antennal socket cavities. Anterior tentorial pit nearer the antennal socket than the mandibular insertion. Anterolateral hypostoma reduced to a thin sclerite. Medial hypostoma entire. MOUTHPARTS. Palp formula 6:4. Third maxillary palp segment subequal in length to segment 4. Fifth maxillary palp segment at the apical extreme of segment 4. Mandible without teeth or denticles. Apical tooth absent (tip of mandible rounded and without a differentiated tooth). Basal angle indistinct, with a relatively uninterrupted curve between the two margins and without a distinct tooth or angle. Basal margin smooth and without teeth or denticles. MESOSOMA. Posteroventral pronotum lateral, rounded or angled. Episternal suture present, complete. Anteromedial mesosternum even with the lateral regions. Axilla parallel and entire. Anterior axillar suture straight. Declivitous and dorsal faces of propodeum convex. Propodeal angle indistinct. WINGS. Radial cell closed. Fore wing with 1 cubital and 1 discoidal cell. Pterostigmal appendage absent. Hind wing with 2 cells. PETIOLE. Scale present; rounded and forming an even arch dorsally; vertical and not inclined anteriorly. Venter with a slight or weakly developed lobe. Attachment to gaster broad. GASTER. First segment vertical and not concealing the petiole in dorsal view, smooth and without a groove or indentation. GENITALIA. Pygostyles present. Posterior margin of subgenital plate concave. Paramere divided by a membranous region. Digitus with a down-turned tip. Cuspis parallel with digitus. Ventral lobe of volsella present as weakly developed concave lobe. Aedeagus with ventral teeth.

Larva

Shape dolichoderoid. Protuberances present as 6 bosses located middorsally. Body hairs sparse; simple; short. 10 spiracular pairs. Antennae short.

References

  • Bolton, B. 1994. Identification guide to the ant genera of the world. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 222 pp. (page 26, Froggattella in Dolichoderinae, Dolichoderini)
  • Bolton, B. 2003. Synopsis and Classification of Formicidae. Mem. Am. Entomol. Inst. 71: 370pp (page 88, Froggattella in Dolichoderinae, Dolichoderini)
  • Cantone S. 2018. Winged Ants, The queen. Dichotomous key to genera of winged female ants in the World. The Wings of Ants: morphological and systematic relationships (self-published).
  • da Silva, C.H.F., Arnan, X., Andersen, A.N., Leal, I.R. 2019. Extrafloral nectar as a driver of ant community spatial structure along disturbance and rainfall gradients in Brazilian dry forest. Journal of Tropical Ecology 35, 280–287 (doi:10.1017/s0266467419000245).
  • Dubovikoff, D.A. 2005. The system of taxon Bothriomyrmex Emery, 1869 sensu lato (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and relatives genera. Kavkazskii Entomologicheskii Byulleten 1(1): 89-94 (page 91, Froggattella in Dolichoderinae, Iridomyrmecini)
  • Emery, C. 1913a [1912]. Hymenoptera. Fam. Formicidae. Subfam. Dolichoderinae. Genera Insectorum 137: 1-50 (page 20, Froggattella in Dolichoderinae, Tapinomini)
  • Fiedler, K. (2001). Ants that associate with Lycaeninae butterfly larvae: diversity, ecology and biogeography . Diversity and Distributions. 7: 45–60 [association with Lepidoptera].
  • Forel, A. 1902j. Fourmis nouvelles d'Australie. Rev. Suisse Zool. 10: 405-548 (page 459, Froggattella as genus)
  • Forel, A. 1917. Cadre synoptique actuel de la faune universelle des fourmis. Bull. Soc. Vaudoise Sci. Nat. 51: 229-253 (page 248, Froggattella in Dolichoderinae, Tapinomini)
  • Shattuck, S. O. (1990). Revision of the dolichoderine ant genus Turneria (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Systematic Entomology. 15: 101–117 [relation to Turneria].
  • Shattuck, S. O. (1996). The Australian ant genus Froggattella Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) revisisted. Australian Journal of Entomology. 35: 43–47 [revision].
  • Shattuck, S. O. 1992c. Generic revision of the ant subfamily Dolichoderinae (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Sociobiology 21: 1-181 (page 95, Review of genus; Froggattella in Dolichoderinae, Dolichoderini)
  • Shattuck,S.O. (1995). Generic-level relationships within the ant subfamily Dolichoderinae (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Systematic Entomology. 20: 217–228.
  • Wheeler, G. C., Wheeler, J. (1951). The ant larvae of the subfamily Dolichoderinae. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 53: 169–210 [larva].
  • Wheeler, G. C., Wheeler, J. (1966). Ant larva of the subfamily Dolichoderinae: supplement. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 59: 726–732 [larva].
  • Wheeler, W. M. 1922i. Ants of the American Museum Congo expedition. A contribution to the myrmecology of Africa. VII. Keys to the genera and subgenera of ants. Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. 45: 631-710 (page 689, Froggattella in Dolichoderinae, Tapinomini)
  • Wheeler, W. M. 1936a. The Australian ant genus Froggattella. American Museum Novitates 842: 1-11 (page 1, Froggattella in Dolichoderinae, Tapinomini; page 5, Key to species).
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