New records of hunting ants (Poneroids and Ectatomminoids) in the northern part of the Colombian Orinoquia region

Abstract

New records of hunting ants (Poneroids and Ectatomminoids) in the northern part of the Colombian Orinoquia region.-We reviewed 466 specimens of hunting ant species collected in flooded savanna environments and their adjacent forest fragments in the rural area of Arauca municipality (Arauca, Colombia). Samples were taken from eight forest fragments with sizes between 0.25 and 220 ha. In each location we set linear transects with seven sampling points separated by 20 m. In each sampling point we used three capture methods: a pitfall trap (left 24 hours), a sample of 1 m 2 of soil and litter to be processed with a mini Winkler extractor, and direct capture. Fifteen species were recorded; the most diverse genus was Neoponera with six species, followed by Odontomachus with two species and Ectatomma, Anochetus, Gnamptogenys, Prionopelta Pseudoponera, Pachycondyla and Thaumatomyrmex each with one species. This study extends the geographical distribution of 15 hunting ant species to the northern part of the Colombian Orinoquia region and documents for the first time the presence of Thaumatomyrmex cf. mutilatus in Colombia.