Systematics and Ecology of Social Insects

Pheidole属包括500多种蚂蚁， 集中在新大陆的热带地区 蚁群 这一属在某些栖息地非常丰富，它们是 大多数热带陆地环境中的常见成分。 该属的物种展示了令人印象深刻的生态范围 习性，包括白蚁捕食，植物共生， 树木筑巢，以及对白蚁和其他蚂蚁的模仿。 不幸的是，关于这种多样性的生态和行为研究 由于缺乏对它的深入了解， 分类和多样性。 超过一半的新大陆物种 从来没有被正式描述和命名，也没有 分类和识别的综合指南。 Dr. E. O.威尔逊建议完成他的长期研究 组，最终在分类学专著，说明 识别码和种级分类。 实地工作 在哥斯达黎加、巴西和秘鲁， 史密森尼学会的BIOLAT昆虫名录也是如此 项目 这项拟议中的研究将开启各种研究 热带生物学的机会。 生态学家和行为学家 生物学家将使用拟议的识别码， 分类以增加研究的精确性和严谨性。 未来对热带多样性的调查将把这项研究作为一项 评估多样性变化的基线。 拟议 该项目将找到一个广泛的观众超越蚂蚁的行列 系统论者

The genus Pheidole includes more than 500 species of ants, concentrated in the tropics of the New World. Ant colonies of this genus can be very abundant in certain habitats, and they are common constituents of most tropical terrestrial settings. Species of the genus display an impressive range of ecological habits, including termite predation, symbiosis on plants, arboreal nest-building, and mimicry on termites and other ants. Unfortunately, ecological and behavioral research on this diverse genus is hampered by the lack of a solid understanding of its taxonomy and diversity. More than half of the New World species have never been described formally and named, and there is no comprehensive guide to their classification and identification. Dr. E. O. Wilson proposes to complete his long-term study of the group, culminating in a taxonomic monograph, illustrated identification key, and species-level classification. Field work in Costa Rica, Brazil, and Peru will add valuable new collections to the study, as will the Smithsonian's BIOLAT insect inventory project. The proposed study will open a variety of research opportunities in tropical biology. Ecologists and behavioral biologists will use the proposed identification keys and classification to add precision and rigor to their studies. Future surveys of tropical diversity will use this study as a baseline for assessing changes in diversity. The proposed project will find a wide audience beyond the ranks of ant systematists.