checklist, biological notes and distribution of ants (hymenoptera: formicidae) from barranca de metztitlan biosphere reserve, hidalgo, mexico

Abstract

A checklist of ants recorded from the Barranca de Metztitlan Biosphere Reserve, an arid zone in Hidalgo State, Mexico, is presented. Some remarks about their biology, local and regional geographic distribution are given. A total of thirty four species were found, seven of them constituted new records for Hidalgo State (Neivamyrmex leonardi, N opacithorax, Brachymyrmex musculus, Camponotus atriceps, Apterostigma pilosum, Pheidole callens and Ph. obtusospinosa) and three for Mexico (Paratrechina arenivaga, Temnothorax schmittii and T terrigena). Most of the species are generalist foragers and predators. Among all the species, four of them: Neivamyrmex leonardi, Paratrechina arenivaga, Temnothorax schmittii and Temnothorax terrigena had been reported only for the Nearctic region, while the remaining species have been recorded both for the Neartic and Neotropical regions. Identification keys to subfamilies, genera and species found in the locality are given.