Ants and caves: Sociability and ecological constraints (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

Ants are frequent in caves. UP to now 78 different species of ants have bee n found in caves. Although many of these records are based on isolated work ers, in a few cases, females have been found in the interior of cavities. N evertheless their presence has been considered accidental. Cave arthropods share different morphological and biological characteristic s interpreted as adaptations to cave life. Social insects, such as ants, pr esent a particular case within arthropods. Here, we discuss the theoretical problems related to the ecological constraints that social insects encount er when living in caves, and we explore ecomorphological characters that an ant should present if it is to be considered strictly cavernicolous [cave- dwelling). As a general conclusion, we accept that the presence of brood and sexuals i nside a cave is an important fact but not definitive in considering this sp ecies as a cave-dwelling. Aptery of the sexuals and a deviation in the prop ortion of females/workers biased to the females may be the most plausible a daptations to cave life for an ant.