New records of myrmicine ants (Hymenoptera; Formicidae) for Colombia

Abstract

Colombia is a country with a high diversity of ants; however, several new taxa are still being reported for the country. Forty seven new records for the country are registered here, all in the subfamily Myrmicinae: one new species record for the genera Adelomyrmex, Allomerus, Kempfidris, Megalomyrmex, Octostruma and Tranopelta; two for Rogeria; five for Myrmicocrypta; six for Procryptocerus; seven for Cephalotes; ten for Pheidole and eleven for Strumigenys. Three of these new records are invasive or tramp species, Pheidole indica, Strumigenys emmae, and Strumigenys membranifera. Three species are also recorded for the first time in South America: Pheidole sicaria, Procryptocerus tortuguero, and Strumigenys manis. The ant genus Kempfidris is recorded for the first time for Colombia. All species are commented. Currently, the diversity of ants in Colombia approaches 1,200 known species in 105 genera.