Ants of Singapore #08 - Strumigenys (cf. koningsbergi)

Strumigenys

Species accounts

Strumigenys cf. koningsbergi

Strumigenys c.f. koningsbergeri

Strumigenys (Myrmicinae : Dacetini) is a small, cryptic, leaf-litter dwelling ant; they are otherwise known as Trap Jaw ants as well.

They are pretty numerous in the leaf litter and also nest in the crevices of dead logs. They are move slowly most of the time, unless when disturbed.

It is said that some species are specialist predators of springtails (Coembolla, which are arthropods with six legs but do not have wings [Entognatha]). Perhaps that is why they require trap-jaw like mandibles as well, to 'capture' these fast moving Coembollas!

Ants of Singapore #07 - Cerapachys (undet.)

Cerapachys

Species accounts

sp. 1

Old World Army Ants Cerapachys sp.

The Old World Army Ants, Cerapachys are a diverse group of ants. Some of these ants are blind (i.e. they have no eye facets), while others are not. The one as shown above has only one eye facet (look at picture below), suggesting a subterranean or nocturnal lifestyle. It was actually seen attacking an earthworm at night, though no photographs to document that.


Cerapachys biroi, one of the species within the genus, is said to be very widespread and is considered a tramp ant [1] and was first described in Singapore by Forel in 1907, suggesting its origins in Asia as well. They are said to practice parthenogenesis [2] because workers can produce diploid eggs. They are also entirely subterranean which also suggests dispersal by exported soil perhaps. This might be an interesting article for those who wish to read more.

Alright, good day ahead.


References

[1] Wetterer et al.. 2012. Worldwide spread of Cerapachys biroi (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Cerpachyinae). Myrmecological News 17: 1-4.
[2] Kronaeur et al.. 2012. Asexual reproduction in introduced and native populations of Cerapachys biroi. Molecular Ecology 21(21): 5221-5225.

Ants of Singapore #06 - Pheidologeton (diversus)

Pheidologeton

Species accounts

Pheidologeton diversus 

Recently Pheidologeton was synonymised under Carebara (Fisher, 2014). I will still recognize Pheidologeton for the sake of this blog.

Pheidologeton diversus, otherwise known as the Maurauder Ant. 

These ants are commonly seen, in the day and in the night, where there is a dead carcass. They are quick to recruit, and are the dominant insects at a particular dead carcass, often excluding other competitors. Maybe that's why they're relatively common insects.

Dominating at a carcass

They are polymorphic (come in various sizes), and sometimes the minor ants can be seen to be riding on the major ants, a behaviour similar to the leaf cutter ants whose minors ride on the leaves carried by the major workers. Not many are sure why this behaviour is so, but it has been hypothesized that perhaps it prevents phorid flies from laying eggs on their head.

They look similar to the Pheidole ant, another genus but can be distinguished based on the number of antennal clubs (Pheidologeton has 2, Pheidole has 3).

Ants of Singapore #05 - Camponotus (gigas)

Camponotus

Species accounts

Camponotus gigas

Camponotus gigas Latreille, 1802, the Giant Forest Ant in Singapore

The ant above, is none other than the famous Giant Forest Ant (Camponotus gigas), one of the largest species of ants possibly in the world. The Camponotus genus ("Carpenter Ants"), is also a hyperdiverse genus, meaning that there are many species within the genera. Fortunately, these Giant Forest Ants are easily distinguished from the other Camponotus species by their (large) size and red gaster.

They are polymorphic and have majors which are generally larger with a head which is more heart-shaped rather than ovate. They are said to have intraspecific territorial fights at night. They also nest in the base of trees.

Generally though, these ants are docile and they cannot sting (they have no stinging apparatus). It is personally therapeutic to look at them forage ;)

[As a side note, there are many other Camponotus species in Singapore, but am likely to be highlighting only this one for now. It would be interesting to study the temporal niche differentiation for certain species, because some are observed in the night, while others are observed foraging in the day.]

Giant Forest Ant Camponotus gigas female alate in Singapore.

C. gigas worker, found at Kubah National Park, Sarawak with slight variation in the legs (yellow) as compared to the ones in Singapore.

Ants of Singapore #04 - Oecophylla (smaragdina)

Oecophylla

Species accounts

Oecophylla smaragdina

The Weaver Ant, Oecophylla smaragdina

In the Singaporean context, the Asian Weaver Ant Oecophylla smaragdina Fabricius 1775 (subfamily Formicinae) is one of the more conspicuous ants around. These ants are able to bite and inflict some pain on one, if you step on their tiny "toes". Further, the formic acid they spray exacerbates that pain.

They are found mainly in the Indo-Australian region. The subspecies we have in Singapore is orange in colour but there is a green subspecies present in Australia, too. This is what makes their biogeography interesting as well (species independent of the Wallace and Weber lines).

These Weaver ants weave nests with leaves, using their larvae to produce silk thread. They are so adapatable, they can use almost any kind of leaves to build their nests -- even long, palm leaves. I have never witnessed the nest construction but it is said that they form chains extending to the next leaves. A satellite nests can be found in the vicinity of the 'main' nest, which houses the queen.

They are probably scavengers and food-generalists. In addition, they are seen to have an association with honey-dew producing insects, such as treehoppers, planthoppers and even some caterpillars. Perhaps their generalistic behaviour allows them to thrive in various conditions, at forest fringes and even at urban areas. They are able to utilize metal bars as passage ways.

In certain cultures (such as the Thai culture), people eat the Weaver Ants and their larvae fried with egg. It is said to be very delicious!

There are only two extant species, Oecophylla smaragdina and Oecophylla longinoda that are currently extant, with other species that are currently extinct.

I think I can go on and on about them because they are rather well-studied. A good read here.



The Weaver ant is not to be confused with the Yellow Crazy Ant. Here is a photograph of an alate Weaver Ant, with a couple of Yellow Crazy Ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes).

Ants of Singapore #03 - Anoplolepis (gracilipes)

Anoplolepis

Species accounts

Anoplolepis gracilipes

Yellow Crazy Ants, Anoplolepis gracilipes with some planthoppers.

The Yellow Crazy Ant, Anoplolepis gracilipes Smith 1857 (subfamily Formicinae) is considered to be a tramp ant. A tramp ant is one which is very widespread because of its life history characteristics. One example would be that it is polydomous, where ants from different nests can intermingle, thus allowing high densities of ants to live together.

These ants are able to occupy niches within the humid, tropical areas, these ants are pretty conspicuous. Their common name, the Yellow Crazy Ant is indicative of its quick and fast movements when disturbed. On certain islands, these ants are known to dominate and cause certain native species to be affected. One such example is on Christmas Islands, possibly fuelled by biotic interactions with planthoppers.

It is likely that these ants originated from Asia or Africa, its origins are unclear at the moment.

Just as a note: there are only nine species within the genera Anoplolepis.

Ants of Singapore #02 - Myrmoteras (iriodum, arcoelinae)

Myrmoteras 

Myrmoteras is a genera of ants belonging to the subfamily Formicinae. Formicines have an acidopore rather than a sting and can spray formic acid. Myrmoteras is known as a lowland tropical rainforest and montane forest species. What is so unique about these ants is that it has a very long elongated mandible, unlike the many other ants. Further, these mandibles can open 270 degrees. These specimens are by far rare, and little is known about their biology. What made them develop such huge eyes, if they're primarily leaf-litter dwelling, and what are the long mandibles used for? Nests have been found in dead twigs of leaf litter. [1]

Also, about its taxonomy -- there are two subgenera within the genera, namely Myrmoteras and Myagroteras that are geographically separated, and delineated respectively by the Wallace line and Weber's line. They're strictly an Indomalayan genera.

Species accounts

Myrmoteras iriodum

A specimen -- Myrmoteras iriodum collected in Singapore

Myrmoteras cf. arcoelinae

A Myrmoteras cf. arcoelinae found on a leaf of a shrub (surprise, surprise) - not leaf litter where it is usually spotted. This was also observed by Agosti (1992). Found at one of the trails at Kinabalu National Park (1500m) which is a lower montane forest. The individual was moving sluggishly and did not seem aggressive.  Credit and thanks to Chui Shao Xiong for this wonderful photograph!

References
[1] Agosti, D.. 1992. Revision of the ant genus Myrmoteras of the Malay Archipelago (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Revue sueisse Zoologie 99(2): 405-429.

Dragons do soar.. (and perch occasionally)

Whenever you walk along a pond or reservoir, do pause to take a glimpse of the common dragonflies that reside in these water bodies.

At Toa Payoh Town Park

Blue Dasher (Brachydiplax chalybea)

Common Parasol (Neurothemis fluctuans)

Common Scarlet (Crocothermis servilia)

At Shaw Foundation Symphony Lake (Botanic Gardens)

Common Redbolt (Rhodothemis rufa)

Male Blue Dasher

Female Blue Dasher

Common Parasol (Neurothemis fluctuans)

Scarlet Basker (Urothemic signata)

Variegated Green Skimmer (Orthetrum sabina)

Yellow-barred Flutterer (Rhyothemis phyllis)

Crimson Dropwing (Trithemis aurora)

Dragonflies are pretty awesome huh~

Pictures by Ong Xin Rui

Ants of Singapore #01 - Cataulacus (granulatus)

Hi everyone, will be starting a series on the 'Ants of Singapore'. My interest with respect to Singapore's biodiversity are insects, and more specifically, ants (family Formicidae). Ants are a group of insects within the order Hymenoptera (meaning membranous wings). Because of Singapore's position in the tropics, we have a great diversity of ants.

Personally, I don't pronounce to know a lot about these creatures but I am working to familiarize myself with their life history and taxonomy because they're such interesting, and also very beautiful insects.

Cataulacus

Species accounts

Cataulacus granulatus

Today's choice of ants will be none other than Cataulacus granulatus. Ants from the genera Cataulacus are strictly old world, and they look very similar to the New World ants Cephalotes. Cephalotes are known to be able to glide when dropped from a high distance, and I wonder if Cataulacus can do the same. All arthropods (which means jointed-legs) have an exoskeleton but the Cataulacus ant seems to have an exoskeleton even harder than the rest. Perhaps it's a protective adaptation that this group of insects have.

When disturbed, these ants like to take cover but they are also capable moving pretty fast, though not as fast as other ants. Lastly, these ants are arboreal, meaning primarily forage and live in trees!  

Cataulacus granulatus on a leaf.



Wild flowers in Singapore

Hello everyone and welcome to our humble blog. Do join us on our journey as we try to feature selected fauna and flora that can be found in Singapore.

As you will see, I am primarily interested in plants and hence, I will be mainly sharing about certain plants that I observe during my field work and discovery trips to various parts of Singapore. These plants are easy to miss as they can be quite small and hard to spot in a homogenous patch of green vegetation. Hence, I hope that these pictures will interest you to take a closer look at your environment the next time you visit a park or take a nature walk. Who knows what interesting plants you might see if you pay a little more attention? ;)

Ipomoea triloba

Kranji, Singapore

 Spathoglottis plicata

Kranji, Singapore

Sphagneticola trilobata

Kranji, Singapore

 Bidens alba

Kranji, Singapore

The pictures above are just a small collection of wild flowers in Singapore, all patiently taught by my mentor as I am still very new to plants and plant IDs. You might be familiar with Sphagneticola trilobata (Creeping Daisy) as it is commonly planted as an ornamental plant for decorative purposes in parks and along the roadside.

That's all from me for now. If you are interested to find out more about plants, do visit the following links. :)

Some useful online resources for plants in Singapore (in no particular order):

1.  Flora Fauna Web

http://florafaunaweb.nparks.gov.sg/Home.aspx

2. Flora Singapura

http://florasingapura.com/Home.php

3. The Plant Observatory

http://www.natureloveyou.sg/

4. The Total Vascular Flora of Singapore Online

http://floraofsingapore.wordpress.com/

5. Urban Forest

http://uforest.org/home.html

 

Singapore dungabee fact #1

Not all dung beetles like to roll their food (i.e. poop). In fact, a large majority of Singapore's dung beetles love to bury the dung instead! Such dung beetles are called tunnellers as they form tunnels directly under the dung source and bring down balls of dung into the soil. These balls serve as brood balls where female dung beetles lay their eggs inside. The hatched beetle larva then feeds on the dung brood ball from the inside out!

Singapore's largest recorded dung beetle is also a tunneller!

Male Catharsius molossus (Photo by Eunice Soh)

These big "dungabees" are able to bury large amounts of dung into the ground and thus "clean" the surface of the soil. This is also why their genus name is Catharsius, which is derived from the Greek word kartharsios, meaning purifier. Kinda cool huh. :)

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catharsius

Fieldwork always provides a treat for the eyes

Follow the long muddy trail~

Dungabees can be pretty too!

Onthophagus semifex

Onthophagus babirussa

Onthophagus rutilans

Photos by Zestin Soh