Myrmecocystus (from Koine Greek μυρμήκιον [mýrmikion], meaning "ant", and κύστις [kýstis], meaning "bladder" or "sac") is a North American genus of ants in the subfamily Formicinae. It is one of five genera that includes honeypot ants.[2] Worker ants keep and tend plerergates, which are other ants that store large quantities of nutritious fluid in their abdomens to feed the colony during famine times. Some species engage in highly territorial tournaments, which can result in intraspecific slavery.[3] During the raids, they carry off larvae, workers, and plerergates.[4]

Myrmecocystus
Myrmecocystus sp.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Formicinae
Tribe: Lasiini
Genus: Myrmecocystus
Wesmael, 1838
Type species
Myrmecocystus mexicanus
Wesmael, 1838
Diversity[1]
29 species
Synonyms

Endiodioctes Snelling, 1976
Eremnocystus Snelling, 1976

Species

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Media

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References

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  1. ^ Bolton, B. (2014). "Myrmecocystus". AntCat. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
  2. ^ Morgan, R. Biology, husbandry and display of the diurnal honey ant Myrmecocystus mendax Wheeler (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Archived 2010-07-17 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Kronauer, D. J. C.; Gadau, J.; Hölldobler, B. (2003). "Genetic evidence for intra- and interspecific slavery in honey ants (genus Myrmecocystus)". Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 270 (1517): 805–810. doi:10.1098/rspb.2002.2288. JSTOR 3558609. PMC 1691314. PMID 12737658.
  4. ^ "Honey Ant War Games End in Slavery". Science News. 109 (23/24): 358. 1976. doi:10.2307/3960982. JSTOR 3960982.
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