Platythyrea

A moderately large (38 described extant species) pantropical genus and is the only member of Platythyreini. Platythyrea workers are notable for their rapid movement, arboreal habits and frequent presence of gamergates. One of three Kenyan species, Platythyrea modesta, is comparatively well-studied for an African ant species. It lives in polygynous colonies with approximately 50 workers and the nests are placed in pre-existing cavities in the bark or in dead branches of trees, or in termitaries of Cubitermes at the base of trees (Djieto-Lordon et al., 2001). This species is predaceous, generally hunting solitarily for insects like termites or grasshoppers and single workers are able to catch considerably large prey (Djieto-Lordon et al., 2001). Other species of Platythyrea nest in hollow twigs, rotten wood, in termitaries, or in the ground (Brown, 1975).

Species richness
Species richness by country based on regional taxon lists (countries with darker colours are more species-rich). View Data



Nomenclature

 *  PLATYTHYREA [Ponerinae: Platythyreini]
 * Platythyrea Roger, 1863a: 172. Type-species: Pachycondyla punctata, by subsequent designation of Bingham, 1903: 73.
 * Platythyrea senior synonym of Eubothroponera: Brown, 1975: 6.
 * EUBOTHROPONERA [junior synonym of Platythyrea]
 * Eubothroponera Clark, 1930c: 8. Type-species: Eubothroponera dentinodis, by original designation.
 * Eubothroponera junior synonym of Platythyrea: Brown, 1975: 6.