Leptanillinae is a
subfamily
In biological classification, a subfamily (Latin: ', plural ') is an auxiliary (intermediate) taxonomic rank, next below family but more inclusive than genus. Standard nomenclature rules end botanical subfamily names with "-oideae", and zo ...
of primitive
ant
Ants are Eusociality, eusocial insects of the Family (biology), family Formicidae and, along with the related wasps and bees, belong to the Taxonomy (biology), order Hymenoptera. Ants evolved from Vespoidea, vespoid wasp ancestors in the Cre ...
s consisting of three genera.
Ants of this subfamily have larvae that feed their
hemolymph to the queen through specialized processes on their prothoraces and third abdominal segments.
[Tree of Life Web Project. 2004]
Leptanillini
Version 21 October 2004 (temporary). In
The Tree of Life Web Project
/ref> This behavior resembles that of the distantly related '' Adetomyrma'', also called the Dracula ant, which pierces their larvae to obtain body fluids.
Members of ''Leptanilla'' are minute, yellow, blind ants that live below the surface.
Distribution
The Leptanillinae are mainly spread out in tropical and warm temperate regions in Europe and Australian regions.
Subdivisions
* Leptanillini Emery, 1910
** '' Leptanilla'' Emery, 1870
** '' Protanilla'' Taylor, 1990
* Opamyrmini Boudinot & Griebenow, 2024
** '' Opamyrma'' Yamane et al, 2008
References
External links
*
Ant subfamilies
Taxa named by Carlo Emery
{{ant-stub