Rhoptromyrmex

Garcia, Wiesel and Fischer (2013) - A widely distributed genus occurring in the tropics of the Afrotropical, Oriental, and Indo-Australian regions, though comparatively species-poor with just ten described species (Brown, 1964; Bolton, 1986; Taylor, 1992). Also, it seems to be comparatively scarce and sporadic on a local level (Brown, 1964). The taxonomy of the genus was well examined in the past (Brown, 1964; Bolton, 1976, 1986) and a good identification key to all castes is available. Members of this genus are ground nesting ants, which build their nests in the soil, beneath rocks, or under the bark of rotten logs (Brown, 1964; Bolton, 1986). They are epigaeic, generalistic foragers that gather dead or living arthropods, consume homopteran honeydew and feed on plant nectaries (Brown, 1964). A few species possess workerless, inquiline females, which parasitize other epicageic ants and other unusual nest founding strategies, e.g. autoparasitism and colony fission, are also known (Bolton, 1986; Taylor, 1992).

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



Nomenclature

 *  RHOPTROMYRMEX [Myrmicinae: Tetramoriini]
 * Rhoptromyrmex Mayr, 1901b: 18. Type-species: Rhoptromyrmex globinodis, by subsequent designation of Wheeler, W.M. 1911f: 172.
 * Rhoptromyrmex senior synonym of Acidomyrmex: Brown, 1964c: 11.
 * Rhoptromyrmex senior synonym of Ireneella: Bolton, 1976: 298.
 * Rhoptromyrmex senior synonym of Hagioxenus: Bolton, 1986a: 2.
 * ACIDOMYRMEX [junior synonym of Rhoptromyrmex]
 * Acidomyrmex Emery, 1915i: 191 [as subgenus of Rhoptromyrmex]. Type-species: Rhoptromyrmex wroughtonii, by original designation.
 * Acidomyrmex raised to genus: Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 664, 672.
 * Acidomyrmex junior synonym of Rhoptromyrmex: Brown, 1964c: 11; Bolton, 1986a: 2.
 * HAGIOXENUS [junior synonym of Rhoptromyrmex]
 * Hagioxenus Forel, 1910a: 8. Type-species: Hagioxenus schmitzi, by monotypy.
 * Hagioxenus junior synonym of Rhoptromyrmex: Bolton, 1986a: 2.
 * IRENEELLA [junior synonym of Rhoptromyrmex]
 * Ireneella Donisthorpe, 1941i: 175. Type-species: Ireneella papuensis (junior synonym of Tetramorium melleum), by original designation.
 * Ireneella junior synonym of Rhoptromyrmex: Bolton, 1976: 298; Bolton, 1986a: 2.