Stigmatomma

Stigmatomma was long considered a junior synonym of Amblyopone (see Brown 1960) until it was recently revived (Yoshimura & Fisher, 2012). Members of this genus, as most amblyoponines, are specialised predators, which are thought to hold several ancestral anatomical and behavioural character states (Fisher, 2003). Stigmatomma species are known to live a hypogaeic lifestyle as predators of chilopods (Gotwald & Levieux, 1972) and in addition, are known as "dracula ants" that feed on their own larvae (Fisher, 2003; Saux et al., 2004). Queens can be observed to perform a form of non-destructive cannibalism by cutting a hole in the larval integument to feed on the exuding hemolymph. This however does not seem to harm the larvae, which continue growing and eventually emerge as normal adults. (Hita Garcia, Wiesel and Fischer 2013)

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



Nomenclature

 * STIGMATOMMA [Amblyoponinae]
 * Stigmatomma Roger, 1859: 250. Type-species: Stigmatomma denticulatum, by subsequent designation of Bingham, 1903: 36.
 * Stigmatomma junior synonym of Amblyopone: Emery & Forel, 1879: 455; Mayr, 1887: 546.
 * Stigmatomma revived from synonymy: Dalla Torre, 1893: 14.
 * Stigmatomma subgenus of Amblyopone: Forel, 1900c: 55; Clark, 1934b: 27; Brown, 1949c: 87.
 * Stigmatomma revived status as genus: Bingham, 1903: 36; Emery, 1911d: 23; Creighton, 1950a: 31.
 * Stigmatomma senior synonym of Fulakora: Brown, 1949c: 87.
 * Stigmatomma junior synonym of Amblyopone: Brown, 1960a: 155.
 * Stigmatomma revived status as genus: Yoshimura & Fisher, 2012: 17.
 * Stigmatomma senior synonym of Arotropus, Ericapelta, Fulakora, Lithomyrmex: Yoshimura & Fisher, 2012: 17.
 * AROTROPUS [junior synonym of Stigmatomma]
 * Arotropus Provancher, 1881a: 205. Type-species: Arotropus binodosus (junior synonym of Typhlopone pallipes), by monotypy.
 * Arotropus junior synonym of Amblyopone: Provancher, 1887: 240; Brown, 1960a: 155.
 * Arotropus junior synonym of Stigmatomma: Yoshimura & Fisher, 2012: 17.
 * ERICAPELTA [junior synonym of Stigmatomma]
 * Ericapelta Kusnezov, 1955: 273. Type-species: Ericapelta egregia, by monotypy.
 * Ericapelta junior synonym of Amblyopone: Brown, 1960a: 156.
 * Ericapelta junior synonym of Stigmatomma: Yoshimura & Fisher, 2012: 17.
 * FULAKORA [junior synonym of Stigmatomma]
 * Fulakora Mann, 1919: 279 [as subgenus of Stigmatomma]. Type-species: Stigmatomma (Fulakora) celata, by original designation.
 * Fulakora junior synonym of Stigmatomma: Brown, 1949: 88.
 * Fulakora junior synonym of Amblyopone: Brown, 1960: 155; Yoshimura & Fisher, 2012: 17.
 * LITHOMYRMEX [junior synonym of Stigmatomma]
 * Lithomyrmex Clark, 1928a: 30. Type-species: Lithomyrmex glauerti, by original designation.
 * Lithomyrmex junior synonym of Amblyopone: Brown, 1960a: 156.
 * Lithomyrmex junior synonym of Stigmatomma: Yoshimura & Fisher, 2012: 17.