Systematics, Evolution and Diversity in Ants
A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Diversity".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 927
Special Issue Editors
Interests: ants; hymenoptera; systematics; neotropics
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) are one of the most important groups of insects in the world. They have been known since the Cretaceous and, since then, they have been key protagonists in ecosystems, with almost 15,000 living species that play various roles such as predators, herbivores, fungivores, mutualists, and decomposers. Most species are highly social, although some are inquilines. The increasingly cheaper use of molecular data, as well as new data analysis techniques, has allowed for the proposal (or confirmation) of new phylogenies among the family and within each subfamily to the genus or species level, in some cases offering more robust hypotheses with fewer conflicts. Cutting-edge techniques, such as X-ray computerized microtomography, have dramatically increased knowledge of the internal morphology of some ants, in some cases offering new information for the evaluation of phylogenetic relationships. Some of these techniques have even been applied to fossil specimens, such as those preserved in amber. Furthermore, like other insects, threats of environmental deterioration such as deforestation, climate change, or mining are causing the disappearance of populations and perhaps species. For this current Special Issue of Diversity, we look forward to receiving innovative research contributions from the scientific community that will enrich our knowledge of the systematics, phylogeny, biogeography, and diversity of this important group of insects.
Dr. Fernando Fernández
Dr. Roberto José Guerrero
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- ants
- systematics
- phylogeny
- diversity
- biogeography
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