Digitization of a reference collection of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Paraguayan dry Chaco

The primary goal of this dataset was to study the response of subtropical ant communities to rainfall and soil conditions. The Paraguay dry Chaco, with little altitudinal and temperature variation over a large area, offers a great opportunity to study the effects of these factors. Between 2001 and 2004, eleven localities were sampled along an aridity gradient ranging from 1000 to 400mm over a distance of 400 km. This research resulted in a phD dissertation (Delsinne 2007; Delsinne et al. 2007, 2008) and in an ant collection of over 50,000 specimens. The definitive identification of a series of morphospecies is still under progress. Locally-defined species were given a temporary code [e.g. sp.06 (PAG)] and do not necessarily represent new species (more).

The objective of this website is to provide rapidly information about the numerous morphospecies (unnamed species diagnosed by standard taxonomic procedures) collected and to provide detailed data about the ant distribution and morphology. The information provided is under the form of  scanning electron microscope pictures, color pictures and taxonomic keys. This website is developed with the support of the Belgian Biodiversity Platform. The dataset is also available through the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.