Discovery of the termite specialist ant genus Centromyrmex, Mayr 1866 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ponerinae) for the Guiana Shield

Abstract

The ponerine ant genus Centromyrmex is recorded for the first time in French Guiana. The specimens reported here were collected by the SEAG (Société Entomologique Antilles-Guyane) team in the commune of Saül, French Guiana. The ants were collected in a region of Amazon Forest with flight interception traps. Two out of the three species currently recognized for the genus in South America were here recorded in French Guiana, Centromyrmex alfaroi and Centromyrmex gigas. In total, 24 specimens were collected, all represented by alate queens. This record expands the knowledge about the distribution of this rarely collected genus and reinforces the importance of alternative sampling techniques for collecting cryptobiotic ants and unknown alate forms.

Keywords

• New records
• Distribution
• Guiana Shield
• Amazon Forest
• Poneroid