Major Forum Team Work Project!!!
Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 8:07 pm
I have found some limited field identification guides to allow researchers to collect workers and somehow identify what species the leaf cutter is from the worker. However I personally believe this is almost impossible unless you have a stereo dissecting microscope or you carry specimens back to a lab. I think in areas where there are many species the chances of making a credible ID of a worker are limited. So the identification keys are based on workers. But I have noticed that there is more physical difference between queens of differrent species. For instance.....
Acromyrmex coronatus
Acromyrmex versicolor
Acromyrmex octospinosis
You can see, based on the queens, that identification of the species becomes easier. This may be of limited use in the field where most sightings are of workers, but when collecting colonies and confirming ID in the lab of a nest of Leaf Cutters, this could be a valuable addition to the Taxonomic arsenal of tools to use. So I have discussed with Ayub, our resident professional photographer and he is willing to participate in a body of work with everyone here to complete the first ever queen based Identification Key available. Making a real contribution to science!!
What we need is pictures of Queens of as many species as we can find. Or, this may prove difficult, dead queens. But help me find pictures of queens of Acromyrmex species so I can develop an Identification Key. If you know of anyone who keeps Acromyrmex, a species we do not have here, then can you ask them for a picture of their queen or even ask the to get in touch. Many thanks for your effort in this. Andrew
Acromyrmex coronatus
Acromyrmex versicolor
Acromyrmex octospinosis
You can see, based on the queens, that identification of the species becomes easier. This may be of limited use in the field where most sightings are of workers, but when collecting colonies and confirming ID in the lab of a nest of Leaf Cutters, this could be a valuable addition to the Taxonomic arsenal of tools to use. So I have discussed with Ayub, our resident professional photographer and he is willing to participate in a body of work with everyone here to complete the first ever queen based Identification Key available. Making a real contribution to science!!
What we need is pictures of Queens of as many species as we can find. Or, this may prove difficult, dead queens. But help me find pictures of queens of Acromyrmex species so I can develop an Identification Key. If you know of anyone who keeps Acromyrmex, a species we do not have here, then can you ask them for a picture of their queen or even ask the to get in touch. Many thanks for your effort in this. Andrew