Poneromorfas sem rainhas – Dinoponera: aspectos ecológico-comportamentais

Abstract

*[Dinoponera is a Ponerinae ant genus that currently has 8 species described, these being: D. australis, D. gigantea, D. hispida, D. longipes, D. lucida, D. mutica, D. snellingi, & D. quadriceps. Studies on individual species of this genus have concentrated on 3 of these species: D. australis, D. lucida, &, mostly D. quadriceps. The distribution of the genus extends throughout South America in different habitats. All species of the genus lack the queen caste & workers are morphologically similar. The species that have been studied exhibit similar ecological & behavioral aspects, such as solitary foraging, endogenous rhythm, dominance hierarchy, & a possible age polyethism. In this chapter, we provide some information about these aspects.]