Discothyrea

Hita Garcia, Wiesel and Fischer (2013) - Known from tropical and subtropical region around the world, the genus is represented by more than 30 species (Bolton, 2012). A taxonomic revision is badly needed as there is no published modern treatment or species keys. Brown (1958a) offer the most recent discussion of the taxonomy of the group, including a discussion of problems with past species treatments. Discothyrea are all small, relatively cryptic ants that nest preferably in rotten wood, in leaf litter, or under stones (Brown, 1958a; Bolton, 1973a). Brown (1958a) first mentioned the possibility that they could be specialised predators of arthropod eggs since the closely related genus Proceratium shows such a trophic specialisation, and was able to find evidence for his theory on the basis of observations of an Australian Discothyrea species (Brown, 1958b). Most studied species prefer spider eggs, although one species was found in the nests of other ants (Brown, 1980).

Identification
Key to Oriental Discothyrea

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



Nomenclature

 *  DISCOTHYREA [Proceratiinae: Proceratiini]
 * Discothyrea Roger, 1863a: 176. Type-species: Discothyrea testacea, by monotypy.
 * Discothyrea senior synonym of Prodiscothyrea, Pseudosysphincta: Brown, 1958g: 248.
 * PRODISCOTHYREA [junior synonym of Discothyrea]
 * Prodiscothyrea Wheeler, W.M. 1916i: 33. Type-species: Prodiscothyrea velutina, by monotypy.
 * Prodiscothyrea junior synonym of Discothyrea: Brown, 1958g: 248.
 * PSEUDOSYSPHINCTA [junior synonym of Discothyrea]
 * Pseudosysphincta Arnold, 1916: 161. Type-species: Pseudosysphincta poweri, by original designation.
 * Pseudosysphincta junior synonym of Discothyrea: Brown, 1958g: 248.
 * [ Pseudosphincta Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 645, incorrect subsequent spelling.]