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)

Identification
Within the United States workers and queens of Stigmatomma are recognized by their long, narrow jaws, set with sharp, triangular teeth. The margin of the clypeus has a row of small teeth, and the petiole is broadly attached to the gaster. Males also have the petiole broadly attached to the gaster, and lack the conspicuous punctures of male Platythyrea, the other poneromorph genus with a broadly attached petiole.

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



Biology


Within the United States most species are found in mesic areas, and forage underground or in litter; species of semiarid regions tend to remain deep in the soil and are seldom observed (Brown 1960). All species appear to be exclusively predatory. The prey is often large arthropods, especially centipedes: at least one species appears to be a specialized predator of geophilomorph centipedes (Gotwald and Levieux 1972). There is evidence that in some cases larvae may be transported to a large, paralyzed prey, rather than bringing the prey to the nest (Brown 1960).

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.