Nature's dark artistry: melanic forms discovered in two Neotropical ant species (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Here we present melanic forms of ants belonging to the light-colored Neotropical species Heteroponera dolo (Ectatomminae) and Prionopelta punctulata (Amblyoponinae). We also discuss the intraspecific variation regarding body color for both species and provide the dominant colors for the light and dark forms based on the amount of red, blue and green tones generated from the HEX code.

Keywords

• Atlantic Forest
• Intraspecific variation
• Melanism
• Ectatomminae
• Amblyoponinae