Rossomyrmex minuchae

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Iberian Peninsula, Spain.

Biology
R. minuchae is an obligate slave-making ant that enslaves workers of. Both species are endemic to the high mountains of southern Spain, but while P. longiseta is common, R. minuchae is rare and with limited distribution (Ruano & Tinaut, 1999).

Behavioural observations and limited nest excavations revealed that sexuals are not produced every year, the number of sexuals is low, and the sex ratio tends to be female biased (Ruano & Tinaut 2005). Queens typically exhibit two distinct activity periods. First, the mating period takes place in early afternoon: queens “call” near the natal nest, mate and then re-enter their nest. Second, the dispersal period takes place in late afternoon: the mated queens exit their nest and fly in search of a new, non-parasitized Proformica longiseta host nest.

Nomenclature

 *  minuchae. Rossomyrmex minuchae Tinaut, 1981: 195, figs. 1-3 (w.q.) SPAIN. Tinaut, Ruano & Fernandez Escudero, 1995: 348 (m.).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Errard C., F. Ruano, F. J. Richard, A. Lenoir, A. Tinaut, and A. Hefetz. 2006. Co-evolution-driven cuticular hydrocarbon variation between the slave-making ant Rossomyrmex minuchae and its host Proformica longiseta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Chemoecology 16: 235240.
 * Ruano F., O. Sanllorente, A. Lenoir, and A. Tinaut. 2013. Rossomyrmex, the slave-maker ants from the arid steppe environments. Psyche Article ID 541804, 7 pages.
 * Sanllorente O., P. Lorite, F. Ruano, T. Palomeque, and A. Tinaut. 2017. Phylogenetic relationships between the slave-making ants Rossomyrmex and their Proformica hosts in relation to other genera of the ant tribe Formicini (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). J Zool Syst Evol Res. 1–13.
 * Tinaut A. 2016. Ants of the Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Mountains Natural Park (Andalusia, Spain) (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Boln. Asoc. esp. Ent., 40 (1-2): 125-159.