Review and Phylogenetic Evaluation of Associations between Microdontinae (Diptera : Syrphidae)‎ and Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)‎

Author

Reemer, Menno

Source

Psyche

Issue

Vol. 2013, Issue 2013 (31 Dec. 2013), pp.1-9, 9 p.

Publisher

Hindawi Publishing Corporation

Publication Date

2013-04-15

Country of Publication

Egypt

No. of Pages

9

Main Subjects

Zoology

Abstract EN

The immature stages of hoverflies of the subfamily Microdontinae (Diptera: Syrphidae) develop in ant nests, as predators of the ant brood.

The present paper reviews published and unpublished records of associations of Microdontinae with ants, in order to discuss the following questions.

(1) Are all Microdontinae associated with ants? (2) Are Microdontinae associated with all ants? (3) Are particular clades of Microdontinae associated with particular clades of ants? (4) Are Microdontinae associated with other insects? A total number of 109 associations between the groups are evaluated, relating to 43 species of Microdontinae belonging to 14 genera, and to at least 69 species of ants belonging to 24 genera and five subfamilies.

The taxa of Microdontinae found in association with ants occur scattered throughout their phylogenetic tree.

One of the supposedly most basal taxa (Mixogaster) is associated with ants, suggesting that associations with ants evolved early in the history of the subfamily and have remained a predominant feature of their lifestyle.

Among ants, associations with Microdontinae are known from subfamilies Ponerinae, Dolichoderinae, Formicinae, Myrmicinae, and Pseudomyrmecinae.

These subfamilies comprise more than 95% of all ant species.

Interestingly, no associations are known with “dorylomorph” ants (army ants and relatives).

American Psychological Association (APA)

Reemer, Menno. 2013. Review and Phylogenetic Evaluation of Associations between Microdontinae (Diptera : Syrphidae) and Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Psyche،Vol. 2013, no. 2013, pp.1-9.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-479695

Modern Language Association (MLA)

Reemer, Menno. Review and Phylogenetic Evaluation of Associations between Microdontinae (Diptera : Syrphidae) and Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Psyche No. 2013 (2013), pp.1-9.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-479695

American Medical Association (AMA)

Reemer, Menno. Review and Phylogenetic Evaluation of Associations between Microdontinae (Diptera : Syrphidae) and Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Psyche. 2013. Vol. 2013, no. 2013, pp.1-9.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-479695

Data Type

Journal Articles

Language

English

Notes

Includes bibliographical references

Record ID

BIM-479695