Rhopalomastix murphyi Wang, Yong & Jaitrong, 2018

Rhopalomastix murphyi Wang, Yong & Jaitrong, 2018 View in CoL

Material examined. Holotype – Upper Thomson Nature Park , 1.38653, 103.81938, 24 Oct 2016, G.W. Yong & S.X. Chui leg., durian tree, GY-SG16-RhoA, ZRC _ ENT00000874 View Materials ; paratype males, queens and workers, same collection data as holotype, ZRC _HYM_0000287. Non-types – queens and workers, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve , 2 Jan 1981, D.H. Murphy leg., DHM-SG81- Rho 1, ZRC _HYM_0000009; Mandai Lake Road , 1.40915, 103.78234, 3 Nov 2016, G.W. Yong & C. Peeters leg., GY-SG16-RhoD, ZRC _HYM_0000507; males and workers, Mandai Road, 1.4144, 103.79845, 4 Oct 2018, G.W.Yong & W. Wang leg., WW-SG18- Rho 2, ZRC _ ENT00007518 View Materials ; Upper Thomson Road, 29 Oct 2016, G.W. Yong leg., ZRC _HYM_0001008-1014. GoogleMaps

Material not physically examined. Unknown.

Literature. Type – Wang et al. (2018c). Yong et al. (2019).

Localities. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve ; Mandai Lake Road ; Mandai Road ; Upper Thomson Nature Park [type]; Upper Thomson Road .

Habitat/Ecology. This minute, yellowish-brown species was found mostly in old/mature or young secondary forests, including abandoned plantation forest. Colonies could be found nesting in bark of live durian trees or other large dipterocarps, e.g. Myristicaceae , where nests were often observed to be rather extensive, sprawled across an indeterminate expanse of the host tree trunk. Colonies were observed to be polygynous, i.e., each colony houses multiple queens. The ants also live with diaspidid scale insects in their nests, with which they share a seeming obligate relationship. The diaspidids allow the ants to consume their waxy outer scale secretions in exchange for apparent protection from predators. Silk spinning behaviour has been documented in this species ( Yong et al. 2019), where the ants produce silk from head glands in order to secure nest tunnels.

Remarks. Type locality in Singapore.