Eurhopalothrix

The genus Eurhopalothrix occurs throughout the Neotropics and Australasian tropics, where it is an inhabitant of forest leaf litter and soil.

Identification
Eurhopalothrix are characterized as basicerotines with 7-segmented antennae and triangular mandibles (Brown and Kempf, 1960; Bolton, 2003). The tribe basicerotini is taxonomically problematic as there is no single accepted classification of its species into genera. Baroni Urbani and de Andrade (2007) synonymized the tribe Basicerotini with the Dacetini and proposed that all basicerotine genera be placed in the genus Basiceros. Longino (2013) revised the New World basicerotine species with 7-segmented antennae and triangular mandibles, as Eurhopalothrix, and recognized 28 species. Other Eurhopalothrix species are found in Australia and southeast Asia.

Key to New World Eurhopalothrix

Key to Australian Eurhopalothrix Species

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



Biology
Longino (2013) - Eurhopalothrix specimens are encountered almost exclusively in samples from mass extraction techniques that recover small arthropods in sifted litter, rotten wood, and soil. Densities, at least in the northern Neotropics, are usually low, with workers occurring in < 10% of quantitative samples of 1 m2 litter plots, but occasionally may reach densities as high as 40% of samples. Live colonies of Old World Eurhopalothrix were observed by Wilson (1956) and Wilson and Brown (1984), and a Costa Rican colony of Basiceros manni was observed by Wilson and Hölldobler (1986). All basicerotines, including Eurhopalothrix, are thought to be predators in tropical leaf litter, relying on stealth or sit-and-wait techniques. Sampled specimens are often coated with a thin layer of clay, especially on the face, which is thought to function as camouflage, enhancing crypsis (Hölldobler & Wilson, 1986). Highly specialized spatulate setae may be instrumental in acquisition and adherence of the clay layer (Hölldobler & Wilson, 1986).

Nomenclature

 *  EURHOPALOTHRIX [Myrmicinae: Basicerotini]
 * Eurhopalothrix Brown & Kempf, 1961: 44. Type-species: Rhopalothrix bolaui, by original designation.
 * [Eurhopalothrix Brown & Kempf, 1960: 202; unavailable name, proposed without designation of type-species.]
 * Eurhopalothrix junior synonym of Basiceros: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 88.