Proformica Explained

Proformica is a genus of ants in the subfamily Formicinae. The genus is known from the Palearctic realm, from Mongolia through Central Asia to Spain. Colonies are small, generally containing a few hundred individuals, with a single queen (monogyne) or multiple ergatogyne queens. Unique in the tribe Formicini, some species have specialized workers ("honeypot ants") gorged with food; they function as living storage containers.

Parasite host

Four species are host to obligate slave-making ants in the genus Rossomyrmex, with each species forming a coevolving pair:

• Rossomyrmex proformicarum–Proformica epinotalis
• Rossomyrmex quandratinodum–Proformica sp.
• Rossomyrmex anatolicus–Proformica korbi
• Rossomyrmex minuchae–Proformica longiseta

Species

• Proformica alaica Kuznetsov-Ugamsky, 1926
• Proformica buddhaensis Ruzsky, 1915
• Proformica caucasea (Santschi, 1925)
• Proformica coriacea Kuznetsov-Ugamsky, 1927
• Proformica dolichocephala Kuznetsov-Ugamsky, 1927
• Proformica epinotalis Kuznetsov-Ugamsky, 1927
• Proformica ferreri Bondroit, 1918
• Proformica flavosetosa (Viehmeyer, 1922)
• Proformica jacoti (Wheeler, 1923)
• Proformica kaszabi Dlussky, 1969
• Proformica kobachidzei Arnol'di, 1968
• Proformica korbi (Emery, 1909)
• Proformica kosswigi (Donisthorpe, 1950)
• Proformica kusnezowi (Santschi, 1928)
• Proformica longiseta Collingwood, 1978
• Proformica mongolica (Emery, 1901)
• Proformica nasuta (Nylander, 1856)
• Proformica nitida Kuznetsov-Ugamsky, 1923
• Proformica oculatissima (Forel, 1886)
• Proformica ossetica Dubovikoff, 2005
• Proformica pilosiscapa Dlussky, 1969
• Proformica seraphimi Tarbinsky, 1970
• Proformica similis Dlussky, 1969
• Proformica splendida Dlussky, 1965
• Proformica striaticeps (Forel, 1911)

See also

• Rossomyrmex, genus of ant that parasitizes Proformica species