Estudo das rainhas do gênero de formigas Stegomyrmex Emery, 1912 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): uma abordagem taxonômica e de divulgação científica

Abstract

Ants belong to the order Hymenoptera, along with bees and wasps. Within Myrmicinae, the most diverse ant subfamily, is Stegomyrmex, one of the 23 genera in the tribe Solenopsidini. This genus is found exclusively in the Neotropical region and was once considered rare due to its cryptobiotic habits. However, collections carried out in recent decades indicate that these ants are mainly found in the leaf litter of humid Neotropical forests. Additionally, increased sampling efforts and the accumulation of specimens in collections have led to the discovery of previously unknown queens, improving our understanding of the biology and reproductive strategies of these species and contributing to their delimitation. This study aims to conduct a taxonomic analysis of Stegomyrmex queens and develop educational materials about the genus for scientific outreach. To achieve this, we gathered specimens from multiple ant collections, established collaborations with institutions and researchers, and employed various tools for morphological analysis. The results of this work revealed the discovery of two queens previously unknown to the genus: Stegomyrmex bensoni and Stegomyrmex manni. Information on the distribution, diagnosis, and redescription of the queens of previously described species Stegomyrmex conncectens, Stegomyrmex olindae, and Stegomyrmex vizottoi were also included, along with examinations of the types and workers. For the creation of an educational booklet aimed at scientific dissemination, we compiled information on the species belonging to the genus, as well as on the history of the research. The book includes colored versions and coloring pages of the illustrations. With the conclusion of this work, we provide updated taxonomic, distributional, and natural history information on the queens of the species of the genus Stegomyrmex, and through the production of this educational booklet, we make this knowledge more accessible to diverse audiences.