Introduction

Ants (Formicidae) are a globally dominant group of social insects that are present in nearly all ecosystems other than the polar ice caps and are particularly diverse in the tropics. There are approximately 12,500 species around the world with many more yet to be described. All occupy a multitude of different ecological niches, from cryptic subterranean hunters to metropolis-like fungus growing herbivores to commanding arboreal predators.  

MyrmEcoDex, a work group of BINCO, aims to catalogue ant richness and diversity from habitats across the globe including threatened ecosystems of conservation priority, through the use of standardised field surveys and the study of museum collections. The collected information will contribute to ongoing global mapping projects (e.g. antmaps). Particular interest goes to further optimising the taxonomy of ants, including the description of new species.