Trichomyrmex mayri (Forel, 1902a)

(Figure 26 (a–c))

Monomorium (Parholcomyrmex) gracillimum var. mayri Forel, 1902a: 209 (w.) India. Indomalaya.

Diagnosis

Worker. Matching the description of Trichomyrmex destructor in all respects except colour, Trichomyrmex mayri is a uniformly dark brown species, several individuals with a paler patch at base of the first gastral tergite.

Material examined

Yemen, Socotra Island, W. Jo’ o, 21 April 2014, 196 m, (M. R. Sharaf leg.), 12.54038°N, 54.17186°E, (2 w, KSMA); Yemen, Socotra Island, Himihil Protectorate, 23 April 2014, 330 m, (M. R. Sharaf leg.), 12.58204°N, 54.29057°E (7 w, KSMA); Yemen, Socotra Island, Haydibo, Erheno, 19 April 2014, 33 m, (M. R. Sharaf leg.), 12.65023°N, 54.04016°E (4 w, KSMA); Yemen, Socotra Island, Deyishil village, 21 April 2014, 180 m, (M. R. Sharaf leg.), 12.52010°N, 54.17438°E (1 w, KSMA); Yemen, Socotra Island, Qalansyia, 25 April 2014, 26 m, (M. R. Sharaf leg.), 12.68401°N, 53.49052°E (3 w, KSMA); Yemen, Socotra Island, Lehanoh, 22 April 2014, 931 m, (M. R. Sharaf leg.), 12.57583°N, 54.04836°E (30 w, KSMA); Yemen, Socotra Island, W. Feriho (daitab), 21 April 2014, 93 m, (M. R. Sharaf leg.), 12.44103°N, 54.15576°E (10 w, KSMA); Yemen, Socotra Island, Himihil Protectorate, 23 April 2014, 330 m, (M. R. Sharaf leg.), 12.58954°N, 54.30570°E (2 w, KSMA); Yemen, Socotra Island, Dixam, 24 April 2014, 279 m, (M. R. Sharaf leg.), 12.52430°N, 53.88186°E (3 w, KSMA); Yemen, Socotra Island, Dixam (W. Zereg), 24 April 2014, 279 m, (M. R. Sharaf leg.), 12.46868°N, 54.01091°E (6 w, KSMA); Yemen, Socotra Island, Dixam, 24 April 2014, 656 m, (M. R. Sharaf leg.), 12.49320°N, 53.99145°E (9 w, KSMA); Yemen, Socotra Island, Dehejamo, 22 April 2014, 563 m, (M. R. Sharaf leg.), 12.59049°N, 54.05205°E (7 w, KSMA).

Geographic range

Trichomyrmex mayri has been successfully introduced into many regions of the tropics but compared with Trichomyrmex destructor apparently has a more limited invasion capability (Bolton 1987). The speculated origin of the species is the Indian subcontinent (Bolton 1987), with geographic extensions westward to the Middle East, the Arabian Peninsula (Collingwood 1985; Collingwood and Agosti 1996; Sharaf et al. 2013), North Africa (Egypt) (Sharaf 2006) and along the coastal zones of Sub-Saharan Africa (Bolton 1987). It is also recorded from the Far East (Thailand and Malaysia) (Bolton 1987).

Ecological and biological notes

This species is one of the more widely distributed invasive species in Socotra due to its broad range of acceptable habitats. It was observed foraging on the ground next to a date palm tree. Several specimens were collected from leaf litter where the soil was moist and rich in the faecal material of sheep and goats. Another nest was found in dry soil under Eragrostis eragrostis (L.) (Poaceae). Several workers were foraging on sandy, moist soil next to a small running stream. Many workers were observed foraging on green twigs of a plant and coexisting with Tapinoma melanocephalum. Workers of a nest series were foraging on a rock next to a Cochliasanthus caracalla (L.) Trew (Fabaceae) plant. Several workers were nesting in loose, dry soil under a rock. Many individuals were foraging at the base of a trunk of Boswellia scacra Flueck. (Buseraceae). Another nest series was found in a dry leaf litter close to a date palm tree.