List of basic ant topics
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The Transhumanist
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moved [[Topical outline of ants]] to [[List of basic ant topics]]: revert self - move back to original set name
:''For a more comprehensive list, see the [[List of ants topics]].''
'''[[Ants]]''' are [[eusocial|social]] [[insect]]s of the family '''Formicidae''' and, along with the related families of [[wasp]]s and [[bee]]s, belong to the order [[Hymenoptera]]. Ants [[evolution|evolved]] from wasp-like ancestors in the mid-[[Cretaceous]] period between 110 and 130 million years ago and diversified after the rise of [[flowering plant]]s. Today, more than 12,000 [[List of ant genera (alphabetical)|species]] are classified.
Highly organised [[colony (biology)|colonies]] may consist of millions of ants; these are mostly sterile females ("workers", "soldiers", and other castes), with some fertile males ("drones"), and one or more fertile females ([[Queen ant|"queens"]]). Able to occupy and use a wide area of land to support itself, [[ant colony|ant colonies]] are sometimes described as [[superorganism]]s as they appear to operate as unified [[entity|entities]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Oster GF, Wilson EO|year=1978|title=Caste and Ecology in the Social Insects|publisher=Princeton University Press, Princeton|page=pp. 21–22}}</ref>
Ants have colonised almost every landmass on Earth. The only places lacking indigenous ants are remote or inhospitable islands. Ants dominate most ecosystems, and form 15–20% of the terrestrial animal biomass.<ref name="schultz"/> Their success has been attributed to their social structure, ability to modify their habitats, tap resources and defend themselves. Their long [[co-evolution]] with other species has led to [[mimicry|mimetic]], [[commensalism|commensal]], [[parasitism|parasitic]] and [[mutualistic]] relationships.<ref name=TheAntsRelations>Hölldobler & Wilson (1990), p. 471</ref>
Ant societies have [[division of labour]], communication between individuals and an ability to [[Problem solving|solve complex problems]].<ref name="SANdisk"/> These parallels with [[Civilization|human societies]] have long been an inspiration and subject of study for man. Many human cultures make use of ants in cuisine, medication and rituals. Some species are valued in their role as [[biological pest control]] agents.<ref name="HolldoblerWilsonAnts3"/> However, the ability to exploit resources brings ants into conflict with humans as they can, for example, damage crops and invade buildings. The accidental introduction of species into new areas and a tendency to sting has made some ants major pests.<ref name="pests"/>
'''[[Myrmecology]]''' (from Greek: μύρμεξ, ''myrmex'', "ant"; and λόγος, ''logos'', "knowledge") is the [[science|scientific]] study of [[ant]]s, a branch of [[entomology]]. Ants are often chosen as a study group to answer questions on the evolution of social systems. All ants are highly [[eusocial]].
The following outline is provided as an overview of and introduction to ants:
{{portal|Ants}}
== Essence of ants ==
: ''Main articles: [[Ant]]s and [[Myrmecology]]''
* [[Ant colony]]
=== Biological classification ===
{{see|Biological classification}}
* Kingdom: [[Animal]]ia
* Phylum: [[Arthropod]]a
* Class: [[Insect]]a
* Order: [[Hymenoptera]]
* Suborder: [[Apocrita]]
* Superfamily: [[Vespoidea]]
* Family: '''Formicidae''' <small>(family authority: [[Pierre André Latreille|Latreille]], 1809)</small>
==Kinds of ants==
{{main|Ant}}
*[[List of ant genera (alphabetical)]]
*[[British ants]]
*[[List of the common names of British ant species]]
*[[List of non-endemic ant species introduced to the British Isles]]
*[[List of established non-endemic ant species of the British Isles]]
*[[Rare ants of the British Isles]]
*[[List of locales in Britain where ant species have become locally extinct]]
=== Subfamilies ===
[[Cladogram]] of ant [[subfamily|subfamilies]]:
{{clade|style=font-size:75%;line-height:75%
|1={{clade|
|1=[[Leptanillinae]]
|2=[[Amblyoponinae]]
|3=[[Paraponerinae]]
|4=[[Agroecomyrmecinae]]
|5=[[Ponerinae]]
|6=[[Proceratiinae]]
|7={{clade|
|1={{clade|
|1={{clade|
|1=[[Ecitoninae]]
|2=[[Aenictinae]]
|3={{clade|
|1=[[Dorylini]]
|2=[[Aenictogitoninae]]
}}
}}
|2=[[Cerapachyinae]]*
|3=[[Leptanilloidinae]]
}}
|2={{clade|
|1={{clade|
|1={{clade|
|1=[[Dolichoderinae]]
|2=[[Aneuretinae]]
}}
|2={{clade|
|1=[[Pseudomyrmecinae]]
|2=[[Myrmeciinae]]
}}
}}
|2={{clade|
|1={{clade|
|1=[[Ectatomminae]]
|2=[[Heteroponerinae]]
}}
|2=[[Myrmicinae]]
|3=[[Formicinae]]
}}
}}
}}
}}
}}
== History of ants ==
: ''Main article: [[History of ants]]''
== Basic myrmecology concepts ==
===Myrmecologists===
{{main|List of notable myrmecologists}}
*[[Horace Donisthorpe]]
*[[William Morton Wheeler]]
*[[Auguste Forel]]
== Ants lists ==
: ''Main article: [[List of ants topics]]''
== See also ==
== External links ==
{{sisterlinks|Ants}}
{{List resources}}
[[Category:Basic topic lists|Ants]]
[[Category:Ants| ]]
[[Category:Ants lists| ]]
[[Category:Myrmecology|*]]
[[Category:Biology lists|Myrmecology]]