Large mound with very active, shiny ants. Abdomens raised when disturbed.
single specimen collected from the colony shown in images 1-3
specimen later imaged in detail (images 4-9)
[specimen ID: Patchy #7]
Dealate queen found on fallen tree.
Undescribed species listed on antweb and in various collections as 'epem121'.
Queen landed on my book, words for scale 😂 Must be 1-2mm in length.
Rainha sem asas
So, this is a polyergus bilateral gynandromorph! ½ worker caste (red), ½ alate (black). The mandibles, eyes, single wing, and antennae are the more obvious caste traits reflected in each half of this individual. Found them shortly after leaving the colony possibly (I found one a few feet away).
See: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/124878696
& https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/124879042
Does anybody knows which kind of association the two ant species on the picture have? They used the same nest entrance...xenobiosis?