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Abstract
The nests of Myrmelachista are found in tree trunk cavities and branches. The biology of these arboreal ants is still relatively unknown. We investigated the nesting behaviour of this genus in fallen dry twigs in the Atlantic rainforest of southeastern Brazil. Physical characteristics of the nests, colony demographics, presence of breeders and ant worker sizes were recorded. Samples were collected weekly for 12 months, along open, sunny and undisturbed trails within forest remnants. In all, 202 nests were collected and six species were recorded. Myrmelachista ruszkii had the highest population of immatures and the greatest number of nests found. Myrmelachista nodigera had the smallest workers, was the least populous and the colony was housed in the finest branches. These results expand the current knowledge about the diversity and biology of Myrmelachista in the Brazilian Atlantic forest, and describe polydomic nests and competitive behaviour of M. ruszkii.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the CNPq for the scholarships granted to the first two authors (grants 132485/2008-7 and 121175/2009-0) and to MSC Morini (grant 301151/2009-1), Prof. Dr CRF Brandão and Prof. Dr JHC Delabie for valuable suggestions, FAPESP for aid to RM Feitosa (grant 07/01310-2), FAEP for financial support, and SS Suguituru for preparing the map.