DORYLINI Meaning and
Definition
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Dorylini is a noun that refers to a tribe of large, aggressive army ants belonging to the subfamily Dorylinae within the family Formicidae (ants). This tribe is one of the most prominent and widespread groups of army ants, found primarily in tropical regions around the world.
The members of Dorylini are known for their distinctive characteristics. They are eusocial insects, meaning they exhibit a complex social organization where individuals are divided into different castes and cooperate in organized colonies. These colonies can consist of tens of thousands to several million individuals.
Dorylini ants are equipped with strong mandibles that they use to capture and subdue their prey, primarily other insects. As carnivores, they are relentless hunters, with foraging behavior that resembles an army on the move. They do not construct permanent nests like other ant species but instead form temporary bivouacs, which can be established in narrow crevices, leaf litter, or even underground.
Due to their aggressive nature and large numbers, Dorylini ants can overwhelm their prey quickly and efficiently. Their massive swarms and coordinated attacks make them highly formidable predators in their ecosystem. These ants play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and regulating populations of other insects in their habitat.
In summary, Dorylini refers to a tribe of highly intelligent, eusocial ants known for their aggressive behavior, exceptional hunting skills, and massive colony sizes.
Etymology of DORYLINI
The word dorylini is derived from the genus name Dorylus, which belongs to a group of large and aggressive ants known as army ants. The genus name Dorylus comes from Ancient Greek, where dory means lance or spear. This name refers to the sharp mandibles or jaws these ants possess, which resemble a spear. The -ini suffix is commonly used in taxonomy to denote a tribe or subfamily level classification. Therefore, dorylini essentially means the tribe or subfamily of Dorylus ants.
