Latest Articles from Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift Latest 6 Articles from Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift https://dez.pensoft.net/ Fri, 29 Mar 2024 16:25:59 +0200 Pensoft FeedCreator https://dez.pensoft.net/i/logo.jpg Latest Articles from Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift https://dez.pensoft.net/ A third species of the rare ant genus Rotastruma (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from Cambodia, with illustrated generic diagnoses and key to species https://dez.pensoft.net/article/63478/ Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 68(2): 225-233

DOI: 10.3897/dez.68.63478

Authors: Shingo Hosoishi, Seiki Yamane, Heng Sokh

Abstract: The myrmicine genus Rotastruma is a rarely collected arboreal ant group and only two species, R. recava Bolton and R. stenoceps Bolton, are known from the Oriental Region. A new species, R. epispina sp. nov., is described from Cambodia based on the worker and queen castes. The new species is distinguished from R. recava and R. stenoceps by having the propodeal spine directed upwards and elongated peduncle of the petiole. Herein, we provide an update to the identification key and diagnostic characters for the genus Rotastruma.

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Research Article Mon, 5 Jul 2021 08:45:54 +0300
Revision of the Plagiolepis schmitzii group with description of Pl. invadens sp. nov. – a new invasive supercolonial species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) https://dez.pensoft.net/article/53199/ Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 67(2): 183-196

DOI: 10.3897/dez.67.53199

Authors: Bernhard Seifert

Abstract: Using high-resolution stereomicroscopy and exploratory data analyses, a taxonomic revision of the cryptic species close to Plagiolepis schmitzii Forel, 1895, called Pl. schmitzii group, was conducted. Morphology was numerically recorded under highly standardised conditions considering absolute size and 16 shape, pubescence and surface characters. A key to the non-parasitic Westpalaearctic species of the ant genus Plagiolepis Mayr, 1861 is provided which firstly separates, on species group level, the Pl. pygmaea (Latreille) species group, the Pl. pallescens Forel species group and the Pl. schmitzii species group and, finally, on species level, the cryptic species of the latter group. The recognised species of the Pl. schmitzii species group are Pl. schmitzii Forel, 1895 (invasive species), Pl. barbara Santschi, 1911, Pl. atlantis Santschi, 1920 and Pl. invadens sp. nov. (invasive species) that is described as new from a supercolony in Germany. Based on morphological arguments, the taxa Pl. barbara var. madeirensis Emery, 1921, Pl. maura polygyna Santschi, 1922 and Pl. schmitzii var. tingitana Santschi, 1936 are recognised as junior synonyms of Pl. schmitzii, the taxa Pl. schmitzii crosi Santschi, 1920, Pl. pallescens var. kabyla Santschi, 1920 and Pl. perperamus Salata et al., 2018 as junior synonyms of Pl. atlantis and the taxon Pl. maura Santschi, 1920 as junior synonym of Pl. barbara. A concluding comparative section suggests that pre-adaptations for anthropogenous dispersal and transformation to supercoloniality in introduction areas are apparently common traits in Plagiolepis ants.

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Research Article Mon, 21 Sep 2020 15:16:35 +0300
The Rubens morph of Formica exsecta Nylander, 1846 and its separation from Formica fennica Seifert, 2000 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) https://dez.pensoft.net/article/34868/ Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 66(1): 55-61

DOI: 10.3897/dez.66.34868

Authors: Bernhard Seifert

Abstract: A study of numeric morphology-based alpha-taxonomy (NUMOBAT) considering the species Formica exsecta Nylander, 1846 and F. fennica Seifert, 2000 was performed in 166 nest samples with 485 worker individuals originating from 117 localities of the Palaearctic west of 59°E. The presence of intraspecific pilosity dimorphism is shown for F. exsecta. The setae-reduced phenotype, termed the Rubens morph, shows a frequency of about 25%, and the more abundant setae-rich phenotype, termed the Normal morph, one of 75%. The frequency of nests containing workers of both phenotypes is 15.5% in 58 samples from Denmark, Sweden, and Finland. Applying the DIMORPH test of Seifert (2016) on this territory, it is demonstrated that the association of Rubens and Normal phenotypes within the same nest cannot be interpreted as parabiosis of independent species (p=0.017) or as temporary (p=0.0004) and permanent (p=0.0001) socially parasitic association, whereas genetically mediated intraspecific dimorphism is most likely (p=0.659, all p data according to Fisher’s exact test). The Rubens morph of F. exsecta is phenotypically most similar to F. fennica but is safely separable by four different forms of exploratory data analyses using nest centroids (NC) as input data: NC-Ward, NC-part.hclust, NC-part.kmeans, and NC-NMDS-k-means. Data on zoogeography and the narrow climate niche indicate that F. fennica is unlikely to occur in Norway.

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Research Article Wed, 29 May 2019 16:11:23 +0300
Workers, soldiers, and gynes – morphometric characterization and description of the female castes of Camponotus singularis (Smith, 1858) (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) https://dez.pensoft.net/article/9435/ Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 63(2): 183-193

DOI: 10.3897/dez.63.9435

Authors: Alice Laciny, Herbert Zettel, Irina Druzhinina

Abstract: Species of Camponotus Mayr, 1861 show a high variation of worker caste numbers, from a monomorphic worker caste to strong polymorphism along a continuous range of worker sizes or true worker dimorphism. Camponotus singularis (Smith, 1858) is used as a model for a Camponotus species with two very distinct worker castes (minors and majors) which are chiefly defined by morphometric data. We investigated shifts in proportions of C. singularis female castes in order to identify major allometric patters useful for characterizing caste differences in this species as well as in other Camponotini. We describe the main morphological traits which are characteristic for the respective morphs. The major worker, or “soldier”, shows many characteristics which deviate from the minor worker, but also from the alate gyne. Its traits are assumingly modified for its function in nest defence. Morphometric data clearly set Bornean specimens of Camponotus singularis (described as var. rufomaculatus Donisthorpe, 1941) apart from specimens with other proveniences, suggesting that this island population is a distinct species.

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Research Article Fri, 22 Jul 2016 15:02:20 +0300
Contributions to the taxonomy of the ant genus Echinopla Smith, 1857 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) https://dez.pensoft.net/article/5093/ Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 62(1): 101-121

DOI: 10.3897/dez.62.5093

Authors: Herbert Zettel, Alice Laciny

Abstract: Sixteen species of Echinopla Smith, 1857 distributed west of Weber’s Line are treated, including eight species described as new: E. madli sp. n. from southern Thailand and Borneo, E. wardi sp. n. from West Malaysia, E. fisheri sp. n., E. circulus sp. n., E. mezgeri sp. n., and E. subtilis sp. n. from Borneo, E. brevisetosa sp. n. and E. angustata sp. n. from the Philippines. Lectotypes are designated for E. lineata Mayr, 1862 and E. senilis Mayr, 1862, stat. rev., and differences between the two species are pointed out. New records are presented for E. melanarctos Smith, 1857 (West Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo), E. pallipes Smith, 1857 (Borneo), E. tritschleri Forel, 1901 (West Malaysia, Borneo), E. cherapunjiensis Bharti & Gul, 2012 (Laos, West Malaysia), E. lineata Mayr, 1862 (Singapore, Borneo), E. cf. pseudostriata Donisthorpe, 1943 (Philippines), and E. cf. vermiculata Emery, 1898 (Philippines).

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Research Article Thu, 4 Jun 2015 14:18:08 +0300
Taxonomic revision of the cryptic ant genus Probolomyrmex Mayr (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Proceratiinae) in Madagascar https://dez.pensoft.net/article/1129/ Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 61(1): 65-76

DOI: 10.3897/dez.61.7634

Authors: Francisco Hita Garcia, Brian Fisher

Abstract: The alpha taxonomy of the ant genus Probolomyrmex in Madagascar is revised on the basis of the worker caste. Two new species are described: P. curculiformis sp. n. and P. zahamena sp. n. and the previously known P. tani is re-described. All three species are members of the P. greavesi species group. The species descriptions include diagnoses, taxonomic discussions, high quality montage images, and distribution maps. In addition, we provide an illustrated species level identification key.

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Research Article Fri, 30 May 2014 08:00:00 +0300