Family Formicidae Scientific name Myrmoteras Rank Genus | Order Hymenopterans | |
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Tribe MyrmoteratiniEmery, 1895 Similar Echinopla, Cladomyrma, Pseudolasius, Myopopone, Centromyrmex | ||
Myrmoteras ant colony
Myrmoteras is a genus of ants in the subfamily Formicinae and the sole member of the tribe Myrmoteratini. They have enormous eyes, a character found in other ancient genera, and extremely elongated mandibles with eight to 16 teeth. These work as trap-jaws and can open up to 270°.
Contents
Myrmoteras cuneonodum
Description
While the elongated mandibles look superficially similar to those of the basal Myrmecia, the mechanism is, as a whole, totally dissimilar and is rather convergent to that of the ponerine genera Anochetus and Odontomachus, and the myrmicine Strumigenys. The trigger mechanism of the trap-jaw-like mandibles of Myrmoteras consists of two hairs. Other trap-jawed genera are Daceton, Acanthognathus, Orectognathus, Microdaceton, and Epitritus.
Distribution
Myrmoteras occurs in the Indo-Malayan region.
