Antspaudus

Antspaudus is a fictional genus of ants created for an illustrative encyclopedia entry. It is not part of real taxonomic databases, and the article below is designed to demonstrate how a genus page might be written in a reference work.

Taxonomy and naming: Antspaudus is placed in the family Formicidae, subfamily Formicinae. The genus is described in a hypothetical 2019 monograph by Morales and Chen. The type species is Antspaudus enigmaticus.

Etymology: The name combines the common root “ant” with a coined element “spaudus,” intended to evoke a distinctive, perhaps spade-shaped petiole and an unusual overall silhouette.

Description: Workers measure about 3 to 5 mm in length. Color ranges from orange-brown to dark brown. The head is relatively broad; the mesosoma bears a single petiole with a small scale; the gaster is smooth and polished. Like other Formicinae, Antspaudus possesses an acidopore and lacks a stinger.

Behaviour and ecology: Antspaudus forms medium-sized colonies that forage primarily on tree trunks and fruiting bodies. It engages in mutualisms with sap-sucking insects and tends aphids on understory vegetation. Foragers operate mainly during the day and use chemical trail pheromones to recruit nestmates.

Distribution and habitat: In the fictional account, Antspaudus is endemic to the Serica Archipelago, a chain of tropical islands. Habitats include primary and secondary forests, as well as shaded canopy gaps.

Species: The genus currently contains two described species: Antspaudus enigmaticus and Antspaudus silvestris. Distinguishing characters include differences in petiole scale shape and mesosomal sculpturing.