Harpegnathos saltator

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India, Sri Lanka.

The nests of H. saltator are exceptionally complex by ponerine standards ([[Media:Peeters saltator nest Ins Soc1994.pdf|Peeters et al. 1994]]). In a mature colony the nest consists of a series of stacked chambers forming a nearly spherical structure, surmounted by a thick vaulted roof and separated from the surrounding soil by a hollow space. A tunnel leads down to a separate refuse chamber. Peeters & Hölldobler (1995) hypothesized that this nest design is an adaptation to survive periodic flooding. In addition, H. saltator “wallpapers” inner surfaces of its nests with discarded cocoons. This wallpaper is glued down and may help to keep the chambers dry. See Nests.

Queens and workers are morphologically similar (except for wings) and gamergates reproduce once the founding queen has died. In these two categories of egg-layers, the proportions of Cuticular Hydrocarbons change in a similar way with the onset of ovarian activity, while young virgin queens resemble infertile workers (Liebig et al. 2000). Thus the hydrocarbons are not related to morphological caste but to reproductive physiology.

Reproduction
In newly orphaned colonies, mated workers aggressively compete in order to achieve reproductive status (Liebig, 1998; Liebig et al., 2000). Those that are successful develop their ovaries and begin laying eggs (they are now gamergates; Liebig et al., 1998, 2000; Peeters et al., 2000).

Genetics
Harpegnathos saltator has had their entire genome sequenced.

Palomeque et al. (2015) found class II mariner elements, a form of transposable elements, in the genome of this ant.

Nomenclature

 *  saltator. Harpegnathos saltator Jerdon, 1851: 117 (w.) INDIA. Combination in Drepanognathus: Smith, F. 1858b: 82; in Harpegnathos: Forel, 1900c: 64; Emery, 1911d: 59. Forel, 1913e: 660 (q.m.). Current subspecies: nominal plus cruentatus, taprobanae. See also: Bingham, 1903: 50.

Description
Worker

Bingham (1903): Head, thorax and pedicel ferruginous red, closely and rather coarsely punctured, granulate; abdomen black, shining, not granulate, with punctures finer and more scattered; mandibles, antennae and legs yellow; the whole insect covered with short, sparse, erect pale hairs, and a minute, fine, sericeous shining pu�bescence on the mandibles, head, antenna', thorax and legs, visible only in certain lights. For the rest the characters of the genus.

Length: 14 - 17 mm

Queen

Bingham (1903): Similar to the worker; the ocelli placed very low down, almost in the middle of the front of the head.

Length: 17 mm

Male

Bingham (1903): " Mandibles short, triangular, rather wide, but not elongate. Head somewhat longer than broad, strongly constricted behind the eyes and up to the occipital articulation. Concavity in front shorter and broader than in D. venator. Posterior face of the meta- notum strongly margined. First abdominal segment pyriform elongate as in D. venator. No constriction between the basal two segments. A small median carina behind the occiput. Smooth and shining. Metanotum, pedicel and a part of the sides of the mesonotum coarsely rugose. Some foveae or obsolete striae on the rest of the thorax. Pilosity as in D. venator. Reddish brown, the pedicel darker. Abdomen brown. Legs and antennae pale testaceous. AVings hyaline, nervures and stigma very pale." (Forel.)

Length: 9.5 mm

Etymology

The name saltator refers to the power of the species to making the most surprising jumps when alarmed or disturbed.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

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