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Species: Harpegnathos saltator

Name Status: Valid Name

Taxonomic Hierarchy:

Subfamily: Ponerinae Genus: Harpegnathos

Taxonomic History (provided by Barry Bolton, 2013)

2 subspecies

Harpegnathos saltator Jerdon, 1851 PDF: 117 (w.) INDIA. AntCat AntWiki

Taxonomic history

Combination in Drepanognathus: Smith, 1858a PDF: 82; in Harpegnathos: Forel, 1900d PDF: 64; Emery, 1911e PDF: 59.

Forel, 1913f PDF: 660 (q.m.).

Current subspecies: nominal plus Harpegnathos saltator cruentatus, Harpegnathos saltator taprobanae.

Distribution:

India

Biology:

This species has an unusual colony structure compared to other ponerine genera. In the beginning, young winged queens fly out from their natal colony, mate with foreign males and start new colonies independently. Once the founding queen dies (after a few years), several daughter workers replace her as reproductives in the colony. It is characteristic of several ponerine ants that workers can mate (almost always with foreign males) and store sperm in the spermatheca. In H. saltator, many young workers inbreed with males from the same colony (their brothers). They fight to establish a dominance hierarchy, and a few high-rankers will become reproductives and lay eggs, so-called gamergates. Every year, new winged queens will be reared, and they will disperse and start the process again. The combination of queen and gamergate reproduction results in an increased lifespan of colonies.

Taxon Page Author History

On 2013-03-24 01:58:53 Christian Peeters modified Biology

Taxonomic Treatment (provided by Plazi)

Jerdon, T. C., 1851:
Worker, head long, granulated; jaws with a strong tooth near the base pointing downwards and inwards, and thence gradually tapering to the tip, and finely serrated, l- 6 th of an inch long; thorax barely grooved; abdominal pedicle small, low, ovate; abdomen very long; sting large; head and abdomen blackish brown, thorax and legs rufous. - Length 3 / 4 of an inch.
1 have not seen this remarkable Ant in the Carnatic. I first saw it at Tellicherry, and subsequently in other parts of Malabar. It is also found in the Mysore country as I learn from Mr. Hamilton, a most talented and industrious Amateur Entomologist.
I have given it the name of saltator from its power of making nest surprising jumps which it does when alarmed or disturbed. [[ ... ]] very pugnacious, and bites, and stings very severely. It makes [[ ... ]] nest under ground, generally about the roots of some plant. [[ ... ]] society does not consist of many individuals. It appears to [[ ... ]] ca insects, which it often seizes alive.