Subfamily Dorylinae is a taxonomic classification within the family Formicidae, commonly known as the ant family. Ants within the subfamily Dorylinae are commonly referred to as army ants or legionary ants. This subfamily consists of a diverse group of highly social insects known for their nomadic behavior and aggressive foraging strategies.
Army ants are distributed primarily in tropical and subtropical regions across the globe, where they play significant roles in ecosystems as dominant predators. As a subfamily, Dorylinae is characterized by several defining features, including long legs, powerful mandibles, and well-developed eyes. These adaptations are beneficial for their predatory lifestyle and enable them to efficiently hunt and capture prey.
The foraging behavior of Dorylinae ants is highly coordinated, often involving large numbers of individuals working together in a swarm-like formation. The colony moves as a unit, raiding the surrounding area for food resources, preying on a wide range of invertebrates and small vertebrates. This collective behavior is vital for their survival, as it allows them to overpower and subdue larger prey that would be unattainable for individual ants.
In addition to their aggressive predatory behavior, Dorylinae ants are also known for their unique reproductive strategies. Queens of some species undergo multiple mating flights, resulting in polyandrous colonies with multiple inseminated queens. This reproductive polygyny enhances genetic diversity and colony resilience.
Overall, the subfamily Dorylinae comprises an ecologically significant group of ants that exhibit remarkable social organization, nomadic behavior, and predatory adaptations. These ants play crucial roles in maintaining the balance of tropical ecosystems through their impressive foraging and hunting capabilities.
