Ocymyrmex is an African genus of ants in the subfamily Myrmicinae, also commonly known as hotrod ants.[2]

Ocymyrmex
Ocymyrmex ankhu ergatoid queen
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Myrmicinae
Tribe: Crematogastrini
Genus: Ocymyrmex
Emery, 1886
Type species
Ocymyrmex barbiger
Emery, 1886
Diversity[1]
37 species

Distribution and habitat

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Species are thermophilic (thrives at relatively high temperatures) and live in dry savanna to extreme desert conditions in parts of the Afrotropics.[3] They seem to be restricted to Southern and Eastern Africa, with no species occurring in West and Central Africa, or the sub-Saharan Sahelian Zone.[4] Their nests are located deep in the ground, usually in sandy soil, with colonies consisting of 200 to 1000 individuals.[3][4] Adapted to arid climates, they move remarkably fast during the day. They feed mainly on corpses of heat-stricken animals, living termites and seeds.[4]

Species

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References

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  1. ^ Bolton, B. (2014). "Ocymyrmex". AntCat. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  2. ^ "Genus: Ocymyrmex". antweb.org. AntWeb. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  3. ^ a b Bolton, B.; Marsh, A. C. (1989). "The Afrotropical thermophilic ant genus Ocymyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)". Journal of Natural History. 23 (6): 1267–1308. Bibcode:1989JNatH..23.1267B. doi:10.1080/00222938900770681.
  4. ^ a b c Hita Garcia, F.; Wiesel, E.; Fischer, G. (2013). "The Ants of Kenya (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)—Faunal Overview, First Species Checklist, Bibliography, Accounts for All Genera, and Discussion on Taxonomy and Zoogeography". Journal of East African Natural History. 101 (2): 127. doi:10.2982/028.101.0201. S2CID 84797311.
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