Tetramorium caldarium (Roger, 1857)

Herrera Léon Baert Wouter Dekoninck, Henri W., Causton, Charlotte E., Sevilla, Christian R., Pozo, Paola & Hendrickx, Frederik, 2020, Distribution and habitat preferences of Galápagos ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Belgian Journal of Entomology 93, pp. 1-60 : 38

Tetramorium caldarium (Roger, 1857)

Confused Groove Headed Ant ( DEYRUP et al., 2000)

(ANTWEB: CASENT0173287). ( Map 37 )

An uncommon species in Galápagos, known from tropical and temperate zones ( KEMPF, 1972; BOLTON, 1979; BOLTON et al., 2006; BHARTI & KUMAR, 2012). This tramp ant occurs in natural and inhabited areas of dry and humid zones on Santa Cruz and Floreana. It was reported for the first time in 1998 ( PEZZATTI et al., 1998). Revisions at ICCDRS showed it was already collected around 1992. Tetramorium caldarium can be found in dense forests of S. pedunculata in the highlands (areas also occupied by C. scouleri , T. rufo –sericea, Z. fagara , M. laricifolia , Chiococca alba (L.) Hitchc.) and open shrublands (composed of M. laricifolia and W. ovata ). In the transition area it is present in forests of P. galapageium , C. scouleri and Z. fagara . Tetramorium caldarium is also present in herbaceous vegetation ( Phyla strigulosa (M. Martens & Galeotti) Moldenke ) and occasionally in grasses. This species can also be found in open forest (composed of P. juliflora , S. spicata with occasional trees of B. graveolens ) and cultivated areas. On Santa Cruz, T. caldarium was collected near a landfill area located in a deciduous forest of B. graveolens . Tetramorium caldarium has been collected in boats transporting tourists to other islands and it is likely that other areas in Galápagos have been invaded by this ant ( LOMAS, 2008). According to WETTERER & HITA–GARCIA (2015) there is no evidence that T. caldarium has a significant ecological impact on native fauna in other parts of the world and it is possible that its invasive rating in Galápagos is too high ( CAUSTON et al., 2006).

Figures

Map 37. Distribution of Tetramorium caldarium (Roger, 1857).