ASIAN
MYRMECOLOGY
online first (online version of paper published before print issue)
DOI: 10.20362/am.018009
Asian Myrmecology 18: 018009 (1-47)
article first published online: 10/December/2025
The Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of South Korea: An Updated Checklist with Biological Notes
MINSOO DONG1,2*, JONGHYUN PARK3, GEONHO CHO4, EVAN P. ECONOMO2,5 & BENOIT GUÉNARD6*
Abstract:
Republic of Korea (South Korea) lies between the Eurasian continent and the Japanese archipelago and spans temperate to subtropical climates. The geographic position of South Korea provides a biogeographic bridge that promotes high ant diversity. Recent taxonomic revisions are, however, generally lacking, and North Korean records are often merged uncritically with those of South Korea, underscoring the need for a comprehensive update. In this study, we provide an updated checklist of the ants of South Korea based on extensive field collections, critical examination of museum specimens, and a comprehensive review of published records. We recognize 147 valid species belonging to 44 genera in South Korea, with 22 species reported here for the first time. The updated list also recognizes six endemic species and thirteen non-native species, five of which are newly confirmed in South Korea (Monomorium carbonarium (Smith, 1858), Nylanderia sp. cf. jaegerskioeldi (Mayr, 1904), Pheidole parva Mayr, 1865, Technomyrmex vitiensis Mann, 1921, and Tetramorium lanuginosum Mayr,1870). Based on the literature and museum investigations, we also remove 31 species previously reported from South Korea. In addition, we present morphological descriptions and ecological information for the newly reported species and Camponotus dorex Fisher, 2025, a South Korean endemic with previously limited information. The checklist also identifies five dubious species and provides revised taxonomic treatments of problematic taxa, notably designating Aphaenogaster schmidti Karavaiev, 1912 as a nomen dubium. We further discuss distribution patterns, highlight ecological features such as endemism and potential future discoveries, and assess the current status and risks of introduced ants. This work offers the most comprehensive and up-to-date framework for understanding the diversity, distribution, and conservation priorities of South Korean ants.
Keywords:
Biodiversity, Checklist, Conservation, Formicidae, Invasive Species, South Korea
Get PDF (16.2 MB) :
MINSOO DONG1,2*, JONGHYUN PARK3, GEONHO CHO4, EVAN P. ECONOMO2,5 & BENOIT GUÉNARD6*
Abstract:
Republic of Korea (South Korea) lies between the Eurasian continent and the Japanese archipelago and spans temperate to subtropical climates. The geographic position of South Korea provides a biogeographic bridge that promotes high ant diversity. Recent taxonomic revisions are, however, generally lacking, and North Korean records are often merged uncritically with those of South Korea, underscoring the need for a comprehensive update. In this study, we provide an updated checklist of the ants of South Korea based on extensive field collections, critical examination of museum specimens, and a comprehensive review of published records. We recognize 147 valid species belonging to 44 genera in South Korea, with 22 species reported here for the first time. The updated list also recognizes six endemic species and thirteen non-native species, five of which are newly confirmed in South Korea (Monomorium carbonarium (Smith, 1858), Nylanderia sp. cf. jaegerskioeldi (Mayr, 1904), Pheidole parva Mayr, 1865, Technomyrmex vitiensis Mann, 1921, and Tetramorium lanuginosum Mayr,1870). Based on the literature and museum investigations, we also remove 31 species previously reported from South Korea. In addition, we present morphological descriptions and ecological information for the newly reported species and Camponotus dorex Fisher, 2025, a South Korean endemic with previously limited information. The checklist also identifies five dubious species and provides revised taxonomic treatments of problematic taxa, notably designating Aphaenogaster schmidti Karavaiev, 1912 as a nomen dubium. We further discuss distribution patterns, highlight ecological features such as endemism and potential future discoveries, and assess the current status and risks of introduced ants. This work offers the most comprehensive and up-to-date framework for understanding the diversity, distribution, and conservation priorities of South Korean ants.
Keywords:
Biodiversity, Checklist, Conservation, Formicidae, Invasive Species, South Korea
Get PDF (16.2 MB) :
1Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Institut für Zoologie und Evolutionsforschung, Erbertstraße 1, 07743 Jena, Germany
2Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
3Division of Life Science, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
4Department of Forest Resources, Sunchon National University, Suncheon 57922, Republic of Korea
5Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20854, USA
6School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Kadoorie Biological Sciences Building, Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
*Corresponding authors
