Ant species name
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Ant species name
How do they go about naming the ants say I go out in my back yard tomorrow and find an ant that has never been discovered how would they name it
- Batspiderfish
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Re: Ant species name
I don't think any of us here are actual myrmecologists, but the genus (i.e. Lasius) would be determined by its relatedness to other ants. The species name would be translated to Greek or Latin and by whoever proves that it is a unique species, describes it, and publishes the findings.
For example: Camponotus (Greek; bent-back) novaeboracensis (Latin; New York)
For example: Camponotus (Greek; bent-back) novaeboracensis (Latin; New York)
If you enjoy my expertise and identifications, please do not put wild populations at risk of disease by releasing pet colonies. We are responsible to give our pets the best care we can manage for the rest of their lives.
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Re: Ant species name
Pogonomyrmex was named because of it's beard like structure. Myrmex means ant, so Pogono must mean beard.
"God made every kind of wild beasts and every kind of livestock and every kind of creeping things;" (including ants) "and God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:25
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Re: Ant species name
So Brachyponera, Hypoponera, Mesoponera, and Psuedoponera are Ponera's closest relatives?Batspiderfish wrote: ↑Fri Sep 30, 2016 9:46 pmI don't think any of us here are actual myrmecologists, but the genus (i.e. Lasius) would be determined by its relatedness to other ants. The species name would be translated to Greek or Latin and by whoever proves that it is a unique species, describes it, and publishes the findings.
For example: Camponotus (Greek; bent-back) novaeboracensis (Latin; New York)
"God made every kind of wild beasts and every kind of livestock and every kind of creeping things;" (including ants) "and God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:25
- Batspiderfish
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Re: Ant species name
No. I wrote that almost two years ago, but I believe I meant that in the context of a species' name (Genus species), the genus is that of its closest relative and the species is whatever the discoverer names it. You could theoretically discover a new genus, but before that could be determined, you would probably put it with whatever genus it most closely resembled.AntsDakota wrote: ↑Mon Jun 04, 2018 5:39 pmSo Brachyponera, Hypoponera, Mesoponera, and Psuedoponera are Ponera's closest relatives?Batspiderfish wrote: ↑Fri Sep 30, 2016 9:46 pmI don't think any of us here are actual myrmecologists, but the genus (i.e. Lasius) would be determined by its relatedness to other ants. The species name would be translated to Greek or Latin and by whoever proves that it is a unique species, describes it, and publishes the findings.
For example: Camponotus (Greek; bent-back) novaeboracensis (Latin; New York)
In the early days, all ants were grouped together into the genus Formica, and it's not until revisions are made that other genera may differentiate further. Taxonomy is a constant work-in-progress, since there is still so much more to discover about life and that life is evolving as we study it.
If you enjoy my expertise and identifications, please do not put wild populations at risk of disease by releasing pet colonies. We are responsible to give our pets the best care we can manage for the rest of their lives.
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Re: Ant species name
That's funny to think about. Formica neoniger; Formica invicta; Formica rubra; Formica clavita; Formica pennsylvanicus; Formica gracilipes; Formica longicornis; Formica diversa; Formica barbatus; Formica versicolor; Formica mimicus.Batspiderfish wrote: ↑Mon Jun 04, 2018 5:51 pmNo. I wrote that almost two years ago, but I believe I meant that in the context of a species' name (Genus species), the genus is that of its closest relative and the species is whatever the discoverer names it. You could theoretically discover a new genus, but before that could be determined, you would probably put it with whatever genus it most closely resembled.AntsDakota wrote: ↑Mon Jun 04, 2018 5:39 pmSo Brachyponera, Hypoponera, Mesoponera, and Psuedoponera are Ponera's closest relatives?Batspiderfish wrote: ↑Fri Sep 30, 2016 9:46 pmI don't think any of us here are actual myrmecologists, but the genus (i.e. Lasius) would be determined by its relatedness to other ants. The species name would be translated to Greek or Latin and by whoever proves that it is a unique species, describes it, and publishes the findings.
For example: Camponotus (Greek; bent-back) novaeboracensis (Latin; New York)
In the early days, all ants were grouped together into the genus Formica, and it's not until revisions are made that other genera may differentiate further. Taxonomy is a constant work-in-progress, since there is still so much more to discover about life and that life is evolving as we study it.
"God made every kind of wild beasts and every kind of livestock and every kind of creeping things;" (including ants) "and God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:25
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Re: Ant species name
Yet most all species with -ponera have long skinny abdomens, like Ponera.
"God made every kind of wild beasts and every kind of livestock and every kind of creeping things;" (including ants) "and God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:25
- Batspiderfish
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Re: Ant species name
RIght! Scientists are infamously bad at coming up with names, so I imagine that as long as something looked to them like Ponera, they could just tag that with a prefix and call it a genus.AntsDakota wrote: ↑Mon Jun 04, 2018 5:58 pmYet most all species with -ponera have long skinny abdomens, like Ponera.
If you enjoy my expertise and identifications, please do not put wild populations at risk of disease by releasing pet colonies. We are responsible to give our pets the best care we can manage for the rest of their lives.
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