Technomyrmex vexatus

Technomyrmex vexatus, is only known from Ceuta, Tangier and Gibraltar. In Gibraltar it is only found in the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens or surrounding areas where a large number of exotic plants are present. Tinaut’s (1989) survey in the vicinity of Gibraltar and other expeditions in the Spanish shore of the Strait have never found it there (Guillem & Bensusan, 2008). T. vexatus has a similar distribution pattern as Stigmatomma emeryi and Anochetus ghilianii, occurring on both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar and having a very restricted range on at least one side of the strait. A genetic study (Jowers et al. 2015) suggested the distribution of A. ghilianii is not explained by this species having been present prior to the closing of a land connection between these two areas, i.e., > 5 MYA. It was more likely moved across the strait by humans. They speculated the distribution of Technomyrmex vexatus has a similar explanation.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Gibraltar, Morocco.

Nomenclature

 *  vexatus. Tapinoma vexatum Santschi, 1919i: 220 (footnote) (m.) MOROCCO. Bolton, 2007a: 40 (w.). Combination in T. (Tapinoptera): Santschi, 1925g: 348; in Technomyrmex: Cagniant & Espadaler, 1993: 92.