''Dolopomyrmex'' is a genus of ants in the

subfamily In biological classification, a subfamily (Latin: ', plural ') is an auxiliary (intermediate) taxonomic rank, next below family but more inclusive than genus. Standard nomenclature rules end subfamily botanical names with "-oideae", and zoologi ...

Myrmicinae Myrmicinae is a subfamily of ants, with about 140 extant genera; their distribution is cosmopolitan. The pupae lack cocoons. Some species retain a functional sting. The petioles of Myrmicinae consist of two nodes. The nests are permanent and ...

containing the single species ''Dolopomyrmex pilatus''.

Distribution and habitat

The genus is known from the western and the southwestern United States, where the ants live in arid desert habitats, likely with an almost exclusively subterranean life style.

Etymology

The genus name is derived from ancient Greek ''dolops'', ''dolopos'' ("lurker in ambush") + Greek ''myrmex'', ''myrmekos'' ("ant"); the

specific name Specific name may refer to: * in Database management systems, a system-assigned name that is unique within a particular database In taxonomy, either of these two meanings, each with its own set of rules: * Specific name (botany), the two-part (bino ...

of the type species (''D. pilatus'') is derived from the

pilum The ''pilum'' (; plural ''pila'') was a javelin commonly used by the Roman army in ancient times. It was generally about long overall, consisting of an iron shank about in diameter and long with a pyramidal head, attached to a wooden shaft ...

javelin A javelin is a light spear designed primarily to be thrown, historically as a ranged weapon, but today predominantly for sport. The javelin is almost always thrown by hand, unlike the sling, bow, and crossbow, which launch projectiles with th ...

commonly used by the Roman army), making ''Dolopomyrmex pilatus'' the "spear-bearing ambush ant".

References

External links

* Myrmicinae Monotypic ant genera Hymenoptera of North America {{myrmicinae-stub