Solenopsis gayi

In Chile Solenopsis gayi can be found living in mixed nests with the ant Camponotus morosus. Believed to be a parabiotic association, the relationship between these two ants was studied and it was found S. gayi workers were tolerant of all C. morosus workers. C. morosus workers were aggressive to most other ants except their own nestmates and the S. gayi workers they lived with. (Errard et al. 2003)

Identification
A member of the Solenopsis geminata species-group.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Chile, Colombia, Peru.

Biology
This species is polygynous (Errard et al. 2003).

Nomenclature

 *  gayi. Myrmica gayi Spinola, 1851a: 242 (w.) CHILE. Combination in Solenopsis: Mayr, 1886c: 365. Junior synonym of geminata: Mayr, 1886d: 460; Dalla Torre, 1893: 76. Revived from synonymy as subspecies of geminata: Emery, 1895i: 11; Emery, 1906c: 121. Revived status as species: Forel, 1909a: 269; Santschi, 1923c: 261; Creighton, 1930b: 48. Senior synonym of fazi: Brown, 1950e: 248. See also: Trager, 1991: 170.
 * fazi. Solenopsis gayi var. fazi Santschi, 1923c: 261 (w.) CHILE. Creighton, 1930b: 51 (q.). Junior synonym of gayi: Brown, 1950e: 248.