Asian Myrmecology, Volume 1, Ecology and Distribution
Ecological notes on a plant ant,
Cladomyrma scopulosa Eguchi & Bui (Hymenoptera,
Formicidae, Formicinae) associating with a tree species Saraca
dives Pierre (Leguminosae)
KATSUYUKI EGUCHI1* & TUAN VIET BUI2
1 The Kagoshima University Museum, Kagoshima University,
Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan,
2 Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Nghia
Do, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam
Abstract: In north and north-central Vietnam colony structure
and other aspects of biology of Cladomyrma scopulosa
Eguchi & Bui associating with a tree species Saraca
dives Pierre were recorded. Within the genus Cladomyrma
a colony structure with multiple dealate queens has been seen
almost exclusively in C. scopulosa. Our limited observations
suggest that secondary polygyny at the early founding stage,
or even primary polygyny, often occur in C. scopulosa.
The colony may become progressively more polygynous by accepting
supplementary queens. Genetic relatedness among dealate queens,
however, was not estimated in the present study.
Keywords: Cladomyrma scopulosa, Saraca dives,
colony structure, Vietnam