Running rampant: the alien ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of Cyprus

Demetriou, Jakovos; Georgiadis, Christos; Martinou, Angeliki F.; Roy, Helen ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6050-679X; Wetterer, James K.; Borowiec, Lech; Economo, Evan P.; Triantis, Kostas A.; Salata, Sebastian. 2023 Running rampant: the alien ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of Cyprus. NeoBiota, 88. 17-73. https://doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.88.106750

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.88.106750

Abstract/Summary

Biological invasions are considered a major driver of biodiversity loss, particularly on islands. Invasive alien ants can often have severe consequences on native biodiversity. Here, we review published and new information on alien ant species found on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, a biodiversity hotspot. Our checklist of alien ants of Cyprus includes a total of 17 species, of which nine are reported from Cyprus for the first time (*): Camponotus cf. vitiosus Smith, Cardiocondyla mauritanica Forel, 1890, Cardiocondyla obscurior Wheeler, W.M., 1929*, Hypoponera punctatissima (Roger, 1859)*, Monomorium bicolor Emery, 1877, Nylanderia jaegerskioeldi (Mayr, 1904), Paratrechina longicornis (Latreille, 1802), Pheidole fadli Sharaf, 2007*, Pheidole indica Mayr, 1879, Solenopsis sp. (thief ant)*, Tetramorium bicarinatum (Nylander, 1846)*, Tetramorium caldarium (Roger, 1857)*, Tetramorium immigrans Santschi, 1927*, Tetramorium lanuginosum Mayr, 1870*, Trichomyrmex destructor (Jerdon, 1851), Trichomyrmex mayri (Forel, 1902)*, and Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger, 1863). We did not include three previously reported alien species for which we could not find supporting specimens [Monomorium pharaonis (Linnaeus, 1758), Nylanderia vividula (Nylander, 1846), Solenopsis geminata (Fabricius, 1804)], one based on a previous misidentification [Cardiocondyla nuda (Mayr, 1866)], and two species now considered native to Cyprus [Hypoponera eduardi (Forel, 1894), Monomorium subopacum (F. Smith, 1858)]. Literature records, specimens from field surveys and museum collections, the geographic origin of species, occupied habitats in Cyprus, and notes on invasiveness (spread and impact) are presented for each species. An identification key to distinguish alien from native ant species in Cyprus is provided, including widespread alien ants not yet known from Cyprus in order to support early detection, monitoring, and management efforts.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.88.106750
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Biodiversity (Science Area 2017-)
ISSN:	1619-0033
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.
Additional Keywords:	biological invasions, checklist, first records, identification key, invasive alien species, social insects, tramp species
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	09 Nov 2023 16:01 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/536164

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.88.106750

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Biodiversity (Science Area 2017-)

ISSN:

1619-0033

Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:

Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.

Additional Keywords:

biological invasions, checklist, first records, identification key, invasive alien species, social insects, tramp species