Species: Anochetus graeffei

Taxonomic History (provided by Barry Bolton, 2013)

Distribution:

Samoa

Biology:

In Fiji: Anochetus graeffei is the only species of this genus known from Fiji. The single waist segment and linear trap-jaws group it together with Fijis two Odontomachus species, from which it can be separated by its smaller size, scale-shaped petiolar node lacking an apical spine, and nuchal carinae that do not converge in a V at the midline of the posterodorsal margin of head. The species is reported to be highly variable across the Pacific (Brown, 1978; Wilson, 1959b), especially with regards to the sculpturing of the first gastral tergite and color. These differences are observed in Fiji, and are particularly prominent in the queen caste. While the vast majority of the Fiji material examined is dark and smooth, there is one nest series (e.g., CASENT0186295, CASENT0186295) collected on Taveuni in which the specimens are a distinctly lighter yellow brown and the sculpturing is heavier. The sculpture of the queen is considerably more punctate on the first gastral segment than is that of the more typical Fijian morphotype, including one specimen also collected from Taveuni (CASENT0194580).
 
Wilson (1959b), in his remarks on the odontomachines being represented by only A. graeffei and O. simillimus on New Caledonia, suggested the species were introduced there by humans. The same may well hold true for Fiji. The species is widespread across the archipelago and is recorded from all the major islands with the exceptions of Ovalau and Gau.

References:

Sarnat, E.M. & Economo, E.P. (In Press) Ants of Fiji. University of California Publications in Entomology. 

Taxon Page Author History

Specimen Data Summary

Found most commonly in these habitats: 18 times found in primary rainforest, 23 times found in disturbed forest, 4 times found in coastal forest, 4 times found in secondary forest, 2 times found in disturbed rainforest, 2 times found in 2ndgrowth veg., 3 times found in rainforest, 1 times found in on first rise near road, still plenty of Anoplolepis; collected for ~1hr., 2 times found in upland forest litter, SE edge of swamp forest, 1 times found in Davis-sifting birds-nest ferns + incidental collections; Solitary queen camponotus chloroticus alone in 1st birdsnest fern (same one as I got the small, dark pheidole from) C. chloroticus nest +males, ...

Collected most commonly using these methods or in the following microhabitats: 9 times hand collection, 19 times davis-sifting; incidental aspirated, 5 times winkler, 4 times 1 sq meter leaf litter winkler extraction, 2 times davis-sifting; incidental aspirated; PB bait, 2 times Hand-Collected from 1 square meter of sifted leaf litter, 1 times winkler, B1, 1 times aspirating; PB bait

Elevations: collected from 10 - 724 meters, 275 meters average

10 Specimens Imaged | View All 162 Specimens for this species

CASENT0010627

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CASENT0171067

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CASENT0171116

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CASENT0172373

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CASENT0178350

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CASENT0178464

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CASENT0199788

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CASENT0903977

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CASENT0903978

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CSIRONC0006

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