Leptothorax

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



Biology
Heinze and Gratiashvili (2015) - A phylogenetic analysis suggests that functional monogyny evolved convergently in several lineages of Leptothorax. Reproductive skew thus appears to be a labile trait. This is made particularly obvious by the existence of both functionally monogynous and polygynous populations of Leptothorax acervorum (Heinze et al. 1995; Gill et al. 2009).

Nomenclature

 *  LEPTOTHORAX [Myrmicinae: Formicoxenini]
 * Leptothorax Mayr, 1855: 431. Type-species: Formica acervorum, by subsequent designation of Bingham, 1903: 214.
 * [Type-species not Myrmica clypeata, unjustified subsequent designation by Emery, 1912d: 271; repeated in Wheeler, W.M. 1913a: 79 and Emery, 1924d: 248.]
 * Leptothorax senior synonym of Mychothorax: Smith, M.R. 1950: 29 [both have the same type-species, synonymy is therefore absolute].
 * Leptothorax senior synonym of Doronomyrmex: Heinze, 1998: 195.
 * DORONOMYRMEX [junior synonym of Leptothorax]
 * Doronomyrmex Kutter, 1945: 485. Type-species: Doronomyrmex pacis, by monotypy.
 * Doronomyrmex junior synonym of Leptothorax: Heinze, 1998: 195.
 * MYCHOTHORAX [junior synonym of Leptothorax]
 * Mychothorax Ruzsky, 1904a: 288. Type-species: Formica acervorum, by original designation.
 * Mychothorax subgenus of Leptothorax: Ruzsky, 1905b: 609; Emery, 1915g: 24.
 * Mychothorax junior synonym of Leptothorax: Smith, M.R. 1950: 29.
 * [Leptothorax and Mychothorax share the same type-species, synonymy is therefore absolute.]