Diacamma indicum

This species is native to the Indian subcontinent and has been introduced into southern Japan.

Distribution
Terayama et al. (2014) names the single species known from Japan as D. indicum. This is consistent with the molecular data of Viginier et al. (2004) that suggest a human-mediated introduction from India to the Ryukyu islands, Japan.

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

Biology
D. indicum differs from previously studied Diacamma species in various ecological characteristics that are expected to result in higher dispersal rates and/or colonization abilities (Viginier et al. 2004):

1) Even though Diacamma ants typically nest underground in open areas, D. indicum is more opportunistic with regard to its nesting preferences. We observed typical underground nests, but also nests under stones, in abandoned rice paddies, in fissures of walls in an ancient fort and even in tree branches. Related to this opportunistic nesting habit, the nests of D. indicum are generally shallow, with little signs of construction. 2) Colonies of D. indicum are small (88 ± 62 workers, N = 11) and are prone to emigrate. Nest relocation can be triggered by slight physical disturbance of the nests, whereas in the other Diacamma species from the south of India, workers retreat to the deeper chambers when the nest is disturbed. 3) D.indicum has a larger distribution area relative to other species. Indeed, D. indicum has been found in a large part of southern India and in Sri Lanka, as well as in the north (near Calcutta), whereas the geographical distribution of the other Diacamma species from the south of India appear restricted to small and nonoverlapping areas. In contrast, D. indicum can be sympatric with other Diacamma species.

Diacamma indicum exhibits various life history traits (see above) suggesting higher dispersal abilities than the other Diacamma species. Only 4 of 11 microsatellites were polymorphic and only 1 had more than 4 alleles over 166 individuals originating from 7 populations from the south of India (Viginier et al. 2004). Only one mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotype was detected throughout India (including one population in the north) and Sri Lanka. Such a level of polymorphism is particularly low compared with other Diacamma species having much smaller ranges in the south of India. A strong genetic differentiation was observed between populations separated by more than a few kilometres. We also analysed the genetic differentiation between the Indian populations and two populations from the Japanese island of Okinawa, which are morphologically similar (e.g. male genitalia, W.L. Brown unpublished monograph) and might belong to the same species. The genetic differentiation was high for both markers, suggesting an absence of ongoing gene flow between these populations.

Nomenclature

 *  indicum. Diacamma rugosum var. indica Santschi, 1920g: 179 (w.) INDIA. [First available use of Diacamma rugosum r. vagans var. indicum Forel, 1903d: 400; unavailable name.] Junior synonym of vagans: Mukerjee & Ribeiro, 1925: 205. Revived from synonymy and raised to species: Doums, 1999: 1958.