Japan

AntWiki: The Ants --- Online
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Japan
LocationJapan.png
Location
Region Asia
Subregion Eastern Asia
BioRegion Palaearctic Region
Diversity
Subfamilies 9
Genera 67
Endemic Genera 0
% Endemic Genera 0.0%
Species/Subspecies 290
Endemic Species 104
% Endemic Species 35.9%
Introduced Species 3

The following valid species and subspecies of ants are known to occur in Japan. Unidentified and undescribed species will be added to this list as identifications are verified and taxonomic revisions are published. This species list is based upon the effort of many ant collectors as well as myrmecologists who have published on the taxonomy of Japanese ants. Those who have specimen records that expand this list are encouraged to submit this information in the discussion section of the Japanese Ants web page. Please advise if any corrections are warranted.

The Japanese Ant Image Database website holds the distinction of being the first in numerous ways when it comes to hosting ant information on the internet. Importantly it focused on a particular fauna and used high quality digital images. While the site began as a means of conveying scientific information to scientists, it only took a few years for it to add and enhance its presentation to allow non-scientists to readily access interesting information about ants. This was immediately useful because in Japanese culture insects are seen as interesting rather than a nuisance. It is remarkable to think that some variant of this website has been online, as of 2019, for close to 25 years. If you are interested in Japanese ants, this is one of your starting points for learning more about each species and the ant fauna as a whole.

Acropyga

Aenictus

Anochetus

Anoplolepis

Aphaenogaster

Brachymyrmex

Brachyponera

Camponotus

Cardiocondyla

Carebara

Colobopsis

Crematogaster

Cryptopone

Diacamma

Discothyrea

Dolichoderus

Ectomomyrmex

Erromyrma

Euponera

Formica

Hypoponera

Lasius

Leptanilla

Leptogenys

Leptothorax

Linepithema

Lioponera

Lordomyrma

Manica

Messor

Monomorium

Myrmecina

Myrmica

Nylanderia

Ochetellus

Odontomachus

Ooceraea

Parvaponera

Paraparatrechina

Parasyscia

Paratrechina

Pheidole

Plagiolepis

Polyergus

Polyrhachis

Ponera

Prenolepis

Pristomyrmex

Probolomyrmex

Proceratium

Protanilla

Recurvidris

Rhopalomastix

Solenopsis

Stenamma

Stigmatomma

Strongylognathus

Strumigenys

Syscia

Syllophopsis

Tapinoma

Technomyrmex

Temnothorax

Tetramorium

Tetraponera

Trichomyrmex

Vollenhovia

Fossils known from Japan

Epoch Formation Locality Species
Miocene Iki Island, Japan Fossil Chôjaburu, Iki Island Paraphaenogaster avita

References

  • [1] Japanese Ant Image Database
  • Masuko, K. 2010. Nest density and distribution of subterranean ants in an evergreen broadleaf forest in Japan with special reference to Amblyopone silvestrii. Entomological Science 13:191-198.