A new Xymmer Santschi, 1914 (Formicidae: Amblyoponinae) species from the Congo Basin, with male and female descriptions of X. muticus (Santschi, 1914)

Researchers have identified a new species of ant, Xymmer paniscus, within the Amblyoponinae subfamily, marking the third known species in the genus and the second from the Afrotropical region. This discovery was made during a biodiversity survey in Salonga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Additionally, the study provides detailed descriptions of the previously known Xymmer muticus, including its alate gyne and male forms, which were hitherto undescribed. The findings contribute to our understanding of ant diversity in the Congo Basin and offer a dichotomous key for identifying Xymmer species.

HAMER, M. T., GÓMEZ, K., & JOCQUE, M. (2025). A new Xymmer Santschi, 1914 (Formicidae: Amblyoponinae) species from the Congo Basin, with male and female descriptions of X. muticus (Santschi, 1914). Zootaxa, 5647(5), 479–495. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.5.7