Unicumyrmex

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Unicumyrmex
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Myrmicinae
Tribe: Solenopsidini
Genus: Unicumyrmex
Chung, Hsu, Hsu & Lin, 2025
Type species
Unicumyrmex fushanensis
Diversity
1 species
(Species Checklist, Species by Country)

This rare genus is known from a single species, collected once in northern Taiwan.

Photo Gallery

  • Chung et al. (2025), Fig. 1: Unicumyrmex fushanensis holotype worker (ANTWEB1060402, NCUESIL002532). A, full-face view; B, dorsal view; C, profile view.
  • Chung et al. (2025), Fig. 2: Unicumyrmex fushanensis paratype male (ANTWEB1060403, NCUESIL002538). A, full-face view; B, dorsal view; C, profile view.

Identification

Monomorphic subterranean ants with following characters:

Worker

  1. Palp formula 2,2.
  2. Mandible generally with four teeth, occasionally with five teeth.
  3. Frontal lobe small and closely approximated, fully covering antennal socket.
  4. Clypeus toothless, median clypeal seta present. Median portion of clypeus narrow and posteriorly convex.
  5. Antenna 11-segmented, with three-segmented apical clubs.
  6. Compound eyes and ocelli absent.
  7. In profile view, promesopleural suture with right angle near dorsal margin.
  8. Metanotal groove impressed, metapleural gland well-developed.
  9. Propodeum rounded and without spines. Propodeal spiracle circular of normal size.
  10. Petiole tilted-bell shaped in profile view, with peduncle-like anterior half and rounded posterior half; and circular in dorsal view. Subpetiolar process absent.
  11. Postpetiole without ventral process, rounded in both dorsal and profile view, broadly attached to abdominal segment IV in the middle.
  12. Sting well-developed.

Queen

  • Unknown.

Male

  1. Head triangular.
  2. Palp formula 2,2.
  3. Mandible elongated-triangular with one or two teeth, typically with only one apical one.
  4. Frontal lobe reduced, antennal socket fully exposed.
  5. Clypeus subtriangular with median portion bloated.
  6. Antenna filament-like, 12-segmented without distinct club. Scape short, not exceeding beyond posterior margin of head.
  7. Compound eyes large, ocelli well-developed.
  8. Mesosoma well-developed, alate.
  9. Forewing venation: Rs+M, 2r-rs, 2rs-m, and 1m-cu present. Hindwing venation: R+Rs, M+Cu, and M+1rs-m present. Jugal lobe absent.
  10. Notaulus and parapsidal lines present.
  11. Propodeum fused with lower metapleuron without distinct metapleuropropodeal suture. Propodeal spiracle circular, near the central propodeum.
  12. Petiole with short peduncle, node rounded dorsally; postpetiole broadly attached to abdominal segment IV.
Worker character matrix of Solenopsidini genera that are superficially analogous to Unicumyrmex (Chung et al. (2025), Table 2)
Genus Palp formula: number of maxillary palps, number of labial palps Number of mandible teeth Distance between frontal lobes Median clypeal seta Number of antennal segments Compound eyes Metanotal groove Propodeal spiracle size Petiolar peduncle
Anillomyrma 2,2 3-4 narrow present 10 absent weak transverse striation small shorter than node
Bondroitia 2,2 4 narrow present 11 absent deep impression large longer than node
Dolopomyrmex 3,2 4 narrow absent 11 absent deep impression small shorter than node
Unicumyrmex 2,2 4-5 narrow present 11 absent deep impression small shorter than node
Data sources: Anillomyrma - Eguchi & al. (2009), Bondroitia - Bolton (1987), Dolopomyrmex - Cover & Deyrup (2007), Unicumyrmex - Chung et al. (2025).
Male character matrix of Solenopsidini genera that are superficially analogous to Unicumyrmex (Chung et al. (2025), Table 3)
Genus Palp formula: number of maxillary palps, number of labial palps Number of mandible teeth Distance between antennal socket Antennal socket Number of antennal segments Antennal scape exceeding lateral margin of compound eyes Head shape Lower metapleuron Petiole and postpetiole with laterally projecting spins
Anillomyrma 4,3 1/3 apart from each other exposed 13 absent rectangular not fused absent
Bondroitia 2,2 2-3 apart from each other exposed 12-13 absent rectangular not fused absent
Dolopomyrmex 2,1 4 apart from each other partially covered by frontal lobe 11 present rectangular not fused present
Epelysidris – 3 closely approximated exposed 13 absent rounded fused with propodeum absent
Erromyrma 5,3 4 apart from each other partially covered by frontal lobe 13 absent triangular fused with propodeum absent
Monomorium 1,1/2,2 1-4 apart from each other partially covered by frontal lobe 11-13 absent rectangular fused with propodeum absent
Solenopsis 1,2 1-3 apart from each other partially covered by frontal lobe 12-13 absent triangular fused with propodeum absent
Unicumyrmex 2,2 1-2 closely approximated exposed 12 absent triangular fused with propodeum absent
Data sources: Anillomyrma - Yamane & Jaitrong (2019), Bondroitia - Bolton (1987), Dolopomyrmex - Cover & Deyrup (2007), Epelysidris - Ito & Yamane (2014), Erromyrma - Ramamonjisoa & al. (2023), Monomorium - DuBois (1986), Solenopsis - Pitts & al. (2018), Unicumyrmex - Chung et al (2025).
  • Chung et al. (2025), Fig. 27: Workers of Unicumyrmex and three phylogenetically related genera. The illustrations were accessed from AntWeb (2023). A - C, Unicumyrmex fushanensis (NCUESIL002532); D - F, Epelysidris brocha (CASENT0102361, April Nobile); G - I, Erromyrma latinodis (CASENT0107541, April Nobile); J - L, Tyrannomyrmex legatus (CASENT0106177, Michael Branstetter).
  • Chung et al. (2025), Fig. 28: Workers of Unicumyrmex and three morphologically resembled genera. The illustrations were accessed from AntWeb (2023). A - C, Unicumyrmex fushanensis (NCUESIL002532); D - F, Anillomyrma decamera (Emery, 1901) (CASENT0235147, Shannon Hartman); G - I, Bondroitia sp. (CASENT0104322, April Nobile); J - L, Dolopomyrmex pilatus (CASENT0178567, April Nobile).
  • Chung et al. (2025), Fig. 29 Male ants. The illustrations were accessed from AntWeb (2023). A - C, Unicumyrmex fushanensis (NCUESIL002538); D - F, Anillomyrma decamera (Yamane & Jaitrong 2019; TH18-SKY-262, specimen from S. Yamane); G - I, Bondroitia sp. (CASENT0104321, April Nobile); J - L, Dolopomyrmex pilatus (CASENT0178566, April Nobile).
  • Chung et al. (2025), Fig. 31: Forewings of male ants. A, Unicumyrmex fushanensis illustration newly drawn in this study; B, Anillomyrma decamera, illustration newly drawn in this study, specimen from S. Yamane (TH18-SKY-262); C, Bondroitia lujae, illustration redrawn from Bolton (1987); D, Dolopomyrmex pilatus, illustration redrawn from the original publication (Cover & Deyrup 2007); E, Epelysidris brocha, illustration drawn from the image of Ito & Yamane (2014); F, Erromyrma latinodis, illustration drawn from the image (CASENT0788835) of Ramamonjisoa & al. (2023); G, Monomorium chinense, illustration newly drawn in this study; H, Solenopsis geminata, illustration newly drawn in this study.
  • Chung et al. (2025), Fig. 32: Abdominal sternite IX of male ants. The figures are oriented with the distal end at the top, and the basal end (toward the head) at the bottom. A, Unicumyrmex fushanensis, illustration newly drawn in this study; B, Anillomyrma decamera, illustration redrawn from Yamane & Jaitrong (2019); C, Monomorium chinense, illustration newly drawn in this study; D, Monomorium ergatogyna, illustration redrawn from DuBois (1986); E, Solenopsis geminata, illustration newly drawn in this study; F, Solenopsis invicta, illustration newly drawn in this study. Scale bar = 100 µm.
  • Chung et al. (2025), Fig. 33: Scanning micrographs of male genitalia. The figures are oriented with the distal end at the top, and the basal end (toward the head) at the bottom. A, E, I, Unicumyrmex fushanensis, A, genital capsule in ventral view (NCUESIL002547), E, right volsella in mesal view (NCUESIL002550), I, penisvalva in lateral view (NCUESIL002552); B, F, J, Monomorium chinense, B, genital capsule in ventral view (NCUESIL002525), F, right volsella in mesal view (NCUESIL002526), J, penisvalva in lateral view (NCUESIL002526); C, G, K, Solenopsis geminata, C, genital capsule in ventral view (NCUESIL002530), G, right volsella in mesal view (NCUESIL002529), K, penisvalva in lateral view (NCUESIL002529). D, H, L, Solenopsis invicta, D, genital capsule in ventral view (NCUESIL002519), H, right volsella in mesal view (NCUESIL002522), L, penisvalva in lateral view (NCUESIL002522). Scale bar = 50 µm. Abbreviations: Bm basimere; Bv basivolsella; Cu cupula; Cs cuspis; Di digitus; Pv penisvalva; Te telomere; Vo volsellae.
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Keys including 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 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Total Species 2851 1736 3047 932 840 4391 1767 2925

Biology

Castes

  • Chung et al. (2025), Fig. 30 Male ants. The illustrations were accessed from AntWeb (2023). A - C, Erromyrma latinodis (CASENT0788835, Michele Esposito); D - F, Monomorium chinense (NCUESIL002524); G - I, Solenopsis geminata (NCUESIL002528).
  • Chung et al. (2025), Fig. 31: Forewings of male ants. A, Unicumyrmex fushanensis illustration newly drawn in this study; B, Anillomyrma decamera, illustration newly drawn in this study, specimen from S. Yamane (TH18-SKY-262); C, Bondroitia lujae, illustration redrawn from Bolton (1987); D, Dolopomyrmex pilatus, illustration redrawn from the original publication (Cover & Deyrup 2007); E, Epelysidris brocha, illustration drawn from the image of Ito & Yamane (2014); F, Erromyrma latinodis, illustration drawn from the image (CASENT0788835) of Ramamonjisoa & al. (2023); G, Monomorium chinense, illustration newly drawn in this study; H, Solenopsis geminata, illustration newly drawn in this study.
  • Chung et al. (2025), Fig. 32: Abdominal sternite IX of male ants. The figures are oriented with the distal end at the top, and the basal end (toward the head) at the bottom. A, Unicumyrmex fushanensis, illustration newly drawn in this study; B, Anillomyrma decamera, illustration redrawn from Yamane & Jaitrong (2019); C, Monomorium chinense, illustration newly drawn in this study; D, Monomorium ergatogyna, illustration redrawn from DuBois (1986); E, Solenopsis geminata, illustration newly drawn in this study; F, Solenopsis invicta, illustration newly drawn in this study. Scale bar = 100 µm.
  • Chung et al. (2025), Fig. 33: Scanning micrographs of male genitalia. The figures are oriented with the distal end at the top, and the basal end (toward the head) at the bottom. A, E, I, Unicumyrmex fushanensis, A, genital capsule in ventral view (NCUESIL002547), E, right volsella in mesal view (NCUESIL002550), I, penisvalva in lateral view (NCUESIL002552); B, F, J, Monomorium chinense, B, genital capsule in ventral view (NCUESIL002525), F, right volsella in mesal view (NCUESIL002526), J, penisvalva in lateral view (NCUESIL002526); C, G, K, Solenopsis geminata, C, genital capsule in ventral view (NCUESIL002530), G, right volsella in mesal view (NCUESIL002529), K, penisvalva in lateral view (NCUESIL002529). D, H, L, Solenopsis invicta, D, genital capsule in ventral view (NCUESIL002519), H, right volsella in mesal view (NCUESIL002522), L, penisvalva in lateral view (NCUESIL002522). Scale bar = 50 µm. Abbreviations: Bm basimere; Bv basivolsella; Cu cupula; Cs cuspis; Di digitus; Pv penisvalva; Te telomere; Vo volsellae.

Morphology

Worker Morphology

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• Antennal segment count: 11 • Antennal club: 3 • Palp formula: 2,2 • Total dental count: 4-5 • Eyes: absent ommatidia • Sting: present • Metaplural Gland: present

Male Morphology

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 • Antennal segment count 12

Phylogeny

Myrmicinae
Myrmicini
Pogonomyrmecini
Stenammini
Solenopsidini
⊟
Attini
Crematogastrini

See Phylogeny of Myrmicinae for details.

Nomenclature

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

  • UNICUMYRMEX [Myrmicinae: Solenopsidini]
    • Unicumyrmex Chung et al., 2025: 32. Type-species:Unicumyrmex fushanensis, by monotypy.

Description

References

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