Checklist of ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

ABSTRACT

Formicidae includes circa of 16.000 valid species names worldwide, with estimates exceed 20,000 species. Currently 16 subfamilies are described, and in the Neotropical region 14 of these are known, represented by over 4,000 species. We are presenting the checklist of Formicidae sampled in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil, contemplated in recent surveys conducted in the Serra da Bodoquena, Pantanal, Brazilian Chaco, Aporé-Sucuriú complex, Serra do Amolar, and in a Semidecidual Forest of Dourados municipality. The data presented here refers at samples conducted between 2004 to 2012. The set of samples was not standardized for the respective areas due to the objectives of each study. Were indentified 306 species in 71 genera of 11 subfamilies. Were recorded for the first time in the state the following species considered rare for the vegetation types sampled: Acanthostichus longinodis, Atta saltensis, Cryptomyrmex boltoni, Cylindromyrmex brasiliensis, Prionopelta punctulata, Probolomyrmex boliviensis, Probolomyrmex petiolatus, Procryptocerus montanus, Stegomyrmex olindae, Strumigenys xenochelyna and Tranopelta gilva. Three new species were found in the Mato Grosso do Sul state: Asphinctanilloides sp. nov, Stigmatomma sp. nov and Probolomyrmex sp. nov. in description process. Our studies indicate Serra da Bodoquena as the most diverse region in the State for Formicidae. This work attempts to fill the large gap of knowledge on ant fauna in this mosaic of ecosystems on region.

KEYWORDS
Myrmecological collection; Neotropical ants; Diversity and conservation; Biota-MS Program