Published Paper Details:

Ants contribute a conspicuous component of terrestrial biodiversity and are the most divergent group among all social insects. They are eusocial insects belong to the family Formicidae, order- Hymenoptera. Morphologically, ants are separated from other hymenopterans by the one or two segmented node (modifies II and III abdominal segments), connecting the alitrunk (thorax plus I abdominal segment fused, this is called as propodeumormesonoma) and the gaster (abdomen proper minus II or III segments) and presence of a metaplural gland. A survey was conducted at Tumkur University campus, Tumakuru to record the morphological differences among the different genera of the family Formicidae. The study was done by adapting all-out-search method for collection, preserving in 70% alcohol, observation and identification through morphological features by literature survey and consulting myrmecologists. The morphological features of about 28 species of 17 genera belong to the subfamilies- Formicinae, Myrmicinae, Ponerinae, Dolichoderinae and Pseudomyrmicinae were recorded during the study period. Apart from exhibiting the general ant morphological features, each of the genera has showed their distinct external characters. These distinct characters of different genera form the base for the taxonomical diversification of ant fauna. This survey provides a basic data for the future taxonomical investigation of ant fauna of Tumkur district.