Psalidomyrmex

A small genus (six described species) restricted to central and western Africa. They are cryptic foragers, and at least one species is a specialist predator of earthworms. The latest generic revision is by Bolton (1975b) and there is an updated list of species and a species key presented in Bolton & Brown (2002). Species of Psalidomyrmex nest in rotten wood, beneath logs, or directly in the ground and hunting is generally performed solitarily (Bolton, 1975b). All species seem to be specialised predators of earthworms. Workers are able to capture worms as long as 10 cm (Dejean et al., 1999).

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



Nomenclature

 *  PSALIDOMYRMEX [Ponerinae: Ponerini]
 * Psalidomyrmex André, 1890: 313. Type-species: Psalidomyrmex foveolatus, by monotypy.