Many invasive invertebrates belong to unresolved species complexes, and have a history of misidentification and in-appropriate management. Here we detail confusion surrounding the taxonomy and identification of two do...Many invasive invertebrates belong to unresolved species complexes, and have a history of misidentification and in-appropriate management. Here we detail confusion surrounding the taxonomy and identification of two dolichoderine ant species, Iridomyrmex anceps Roger and OcheteUus glaber Mayr, which are commonly cited in the literature as having been spread widely by human commerce. We provide morphometric data and images strongly suggesting that these two ＂species＂ are instead com- plexes of species that are likely native to many regions where they are purportedly introduced. We take particular interest in the status of species referred to as L anceps and O. glaber in China, as this is the most northerly distribution of both genera. We con-clude by suggesting that many identifications of both species are likely to be unreliable, and we recommend against any manage- ment action aimed at controlling these species under the assumption that they are exotic [Current Zoology 57 （5）： 662-667, 2011].展开更多
Although ants are an ecologically dominant and extensively studied faunal group throughout the tropics, there is a poor understanding of tropical ant diversity and distribution at large spatial scales. Here we use a c...Although ants are an ecologically dominant and extensively studied faunal group throughout the tropics, there is a poor understanding of tropical ant diversity and distribution at large spatial scales. Here we use a collection developed from 3 decades of ant surveys to present the first analysis of ant diversity and biogeography of a large tropical region. Our objective was to document the species richness, composition, and biogeographic distributions of the ant fauna of the 400 000 km^2 ＂Top End＂ of Australia＇s Northern Territory. The known Top End ant fauna comprises 901 native species from 59 genera. The richest genera are Pheidole （90 species）, Melophorus （83）, Monomorium （83）, Camponotus （71）, Meranoplus （63）, Polyrhachis （57）, Rhytidoponera （50）, Tetramorium （43）, Cerapachys （32）, and Iridomyrmex （31）. The fauna is the center of diverse radiations within species-groups of genera such as Meranoplus, Rhytidoponera, and Leptogenys. It also includes IndoMalayan species that have likely bypassed the normal dispersal route into Australia through Cape York Peninsula in North Queensland. Faunistic similarity with other regions of far northern Australia is associated more with rainfall than with geographic proximity. Most （60%） of Top End ant species have not been recorded elsewhere, and, despite uncertainties relating to species delimitation and sampling intensity, this appears to be a credible estimate of the level of endemism. Such exceptionally high endemism can be attributed to the Top End＇s geographic isolation from other regions of northern Australia with comparably high rainfall.展开更多
文摘Many invasive invertebrates belong to unresolved species complexes, and have a history of misidentification and in-appropriate management. Here we detail confusion surrounding the taxonomy and identification of two dolichoderine ant species, Iridomyrmex anceps Roger and OcheteUus glaber Mayr, which are commonly cited in the literature as having been spread widely by human commerce. We provide morphometric data and images strongly suggesting that these two ＂species＂ are instead com- plexes of species that are likely native to many regions where they are purportedly introduced. We take particular interest in the status of species referred to as L anceps and O. glaber in China, as this is the most northerly distribution of both genera. We con-clude by suggesting that many identifications of both species are likely to be unreliable, and we recommend against any manage- ment action aimed at controlling these species under the assumption that they are exotic [Current Zoology 57 （5）： 662-667, 2011].
文摘Although ants are an ecologically dominant and extensively studied faunal group throughout the tropics, there is a poor understanding of tropical ant diversity and distribution at large spatial scales. Here we use a collection developed from 3 decades of ant surveys to present the first analysis of ant diversity and biogeography of a large tropical region. Our objective was to document the species richness, composition, and biogeographic distributions of the ant fauna of the 400 000 km^2 ＂Top End＂ of Australia＇s Northern Territory. The known Top End ant fauna comprises 901 native species from 59 genera. The richest genera are Pheidole （90 species）, Melophorus （83）, Monomorium （83）, Camponotus （71）, Meranoplus （63）, Polyrhachis （57）, Rhytidoponera （50）, Tetramorium （43）, Cerapachys （32）, and Iridomyrmex （31）. The fauna is the center of diverse radiations within species-groups of genera such as Meranoplus, Rhytidoponera, and Leptogenys. It also includes IndoMalayan species that have likely bypassed the normal dispersal route into Australia through Cape York Peninsula in North Queensland. Faunistic similarity with other regions of far northern Australia is associated more with rainfall than with geographic proximity. Most （60%） of Top End ant species have not been recorded elsewhere, and, despite uncertainties relating to species delimitation and sampling intensity, this appears to be a credible estimate of the level of endemism. Such exceptionally high endemism can be attributed to the Top End＇s geographic isolation from other regions of northern Australia with comparably high rainfall.
