Scientific illustration of Protalaridris aculeata ant - showing key identification features including head, thorax, and gaster.

Protalaridris aculeata

Non-Parasitic Queen No Gamergate
Sci. Name
Protalaridris aculeata
Tribe
Attini
Subfamily
Myrmicinae
Author
Lattke & Alpert, 2018
Distribution
Found in 0 countries

Introduction

Protalaridris aculeata is a tiny ant species from the Peruvian Amazon, described in 2018 from a single worker specimen. It has distinctive mandibular teeth with abundant tubercles and is found only in lowland Amazon basin near Puerto Maldonado at 200m elevation . This species is notable for being the only Protalaridris in lowland rainforest, unlike other genus members in montane forests, and is separated by 1500 km from its nearest relatives .

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Status by country, from Kass et al. 2022 & Wong et al. 2023

Native Invasive Introduced (indoor) Intercepted Unknown
Data Sources
Year Range 2000 - 2026

Quick Summary

  • Difficulty: Expert
  • Origin & Habitat: Lowland Amazon basin in Madre de Dios, Peru (Cuzco Amazónico,15 km NE Puerto Maldonado,200m elevation). Found under a Buchenavia tree in Tierra Firme forest [1][2].
  • Colony Type: Unknown, only a single worker specimen has been collected [1][2].
  • Size & Growth:
    • Queen: size data unavailable
    • Worker: size data unavailable
    • Colony: Unknown, only a single specimen known [1][2]
    • Growth: Unknown
    • Development: Unknown (No development data exists for this species.)
  • Antkeeping:
    • Temperature: Temperature needs are unknown, inferred from lowland Amazon habitat to be warm, roughly 24-28°C [1].
    • Humidity: Humidity needs are unknown, inferred from rainforest habitat to be high, keep substrate moist but not waterlogged [1].
    • Diapause: Unknown, tropical species may not require diapause, but unconfirmed.
    • Nesting: Unknown, collected from leaf litter, likely nests in soil or rotting wood. Recommend naturalistic setup with moist substrate [1][2].
  • Behavior: Completely unstudied. Based on genus Attini, they may be fungus-growing, but unconfirmed. Escape risk is high due to minute size, but exact body size unknown. No data on aggression or foraging.
  • Common Issues: this species has never been kept in captivity, no husbandry information exists., only one wild specimen has ever been collected, making basic biology unknown., their minute size means escape prevention must be exceptional., no information on founding behavior, queen is unknown., no confirmed diet information, Attini tribe suggests possible fungus-growing but unverified.

Uniqueness of Protalaridris aculeata

Protalaridris aculeata is poorly known from a husbandry perspective. It was described in 2018 from a single worker collected in 1989. It is the only Protalaridris found in lowland Amazon rainforest, unlike other species in montane forests. The type locality is at 200m elevation, and it is separated by 1500 km from nearest relatives [1][2].

Identification and Morphology

Workers have a head length of 0.67-0.70mm and distinctive mandibular teeth with abundant tubercles. The scape has 6 spatulate hairs, and the cephalic dorsum has a median rectangular raised area. The specimen was covered in dirt debris, possibly for camouflage. Eyes are small with 3-4 indistinct ommatidia [1][2].

Rarity and Collection

This species is exceptionally rare. Intensive ant taxonomy courses near the type locality failed to find additional specimens. The single known specimen was collected from a fruit fall berlesate under a Buchenavia tree, suggesting it lives in leaf litter [1][2].

Housing and Care Recommendations

All recommendations are speculative based on natural habitat. Start with warm temperatures around 24-28°C and high humidity. Use fine mesh barriers for escape prevention due to minute size. A naturalistic setup with moist substrate mimicking leaf litter is recommended [1][2].

Diet and Feeding

Diet is completely unknown. As Attini tribe members, they may cultivate fungus, but this is unconfirmed. In captivity, experiment with tiny live prey and sugar sources, but acceptance is uncertain [1][2].

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep Protalaridris aculeata as a pet ant?

This species has never been kept in captivity, and no colonies are available, making it currently impossible to keep [1][2].

What do Protalaridris aculeata ants eat?

Their diet is completely unknown. As members of the Attini tribe, they may be fungus-growing ants, but this is unconfirmed [1][2].

How big do Protalaridris aculeata colonies get?

Unknown, only a single worker has ever been collected. We have no information about colony size or queen presence [1][2].

Are Protalaridris aculeata good for beginners?

No. This species is not suitable for beginners due to lack of husbandry information and rarity. There is nothing to keep, it is known from a single specimen [1][2].

Where does Protalaridris aculeata live?

Only known from a single location in Madre de Dios, Peru at 200m elevation. It is the only Protalaridris in lowland Amazon rainforest, with nearest relatives 1500 km away [1][2].

How long does it take for Protalaridris aculeata to develop from egg to worker?

Unknown, no development data exists for this species [1][2].

What is the best nest type for Protalaridris aculeata?

Unknown, based on collection from leaf litter, a naturalistic setup with moist substrate is logical, but entirely speculative [1][2].

Can I find Protalaridris aculeata in the wild?

Extremely unlikely. Intensive searches near the type locality have failed to find additional specimens, suggesting it is exceptionally rare [1][2].

Do Protalaridris aculeata need hibernation?

Unknown, as a tropical lowland species, they likely do not require diapause, but this is unconfirmed [1][2].

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References

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This caresheet is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 .