Ant Taxonomy Genus- Paratrechina
About Genus Paratrechina
Taxonomic Classification: Kingdom – Animalia; Phylum – Arthropoda; Class – Insecta; Order – Hymenoptera; Family – Formicidae; Subfamily – Myrmicinae; Tribe – Paratrechini.
Paratrechina is a genus of ants in the family Formicidae.
They are also known as “crazy ants” or “tropical fire ants“. The distribution of this genus covers many tropical and subtropical parts around the world, including Australasia, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America.
Morphology or Physical Structure: These small to medium-sized ants measure approximately 2–3 mm (0.08– 0.12 inches) in length and can be blackish-brown or light brown in color with lighter legs and antennae.
They have cylindrical bodies covered by short hairs that are reddish at their base but gray at their tips, giving them an overall peppery look. Their mandibles possess 4 teeth on each side which point outward from a central notch located near the apex of each toothcomb structure.
The eyes are large ocelli located in front of their head while most species have 12 antennal segments except for one (Prenolepis imparis), which has only 10 antennal segments.
Reproductive Biology: Reproduction occurs through parthenogenesis with simple haploid males being produced from unfertilized eggs laid by queens (mated or unmated). Queens lay eggs throughout spring to late summer and produce up to seventeen thousand offspring throughout their lifetime!
In terms of reproduction-related behaviors, these ants exhibit aggressive nestmate recognition where workers will attack unfamiliar conspecifics upon encountering them within the confines of their own nest area due to chemical cues such as cuticular hydrocarbons unique to that particular colony’s inhabitants. This mechanism serves as an efficient way for colonies to recognize kin vs non-kin individuals belonging within its range so that they may protect against potential threats posed by intruders/parasites etc…
Symbiotic Relationships With Other Organisms: Paratrechina often forms mutualistic relationships with other organisms like aphids whom they herd and tend to in exchange for honeydew secretions produced via sap-feeding activities conducted by said insects on nearby vegetation sources thereby providing food resources for paratreschina colonies.
Additionally, some species associate themselves closely with humans inhabiting areas where both parties coexist.
Subfamilies Of Ants
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Ant SubFamily Group 3
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