myrmecologists

Myrmecology is the branch of entomology that studies ants (Formicidae). Researchers who specialize in this field are called myrmecologists. The discipline covers taxonomy, ecology, behavior, physiology, and evolution, with a focus on how ant colonies organize, communicate, and adapt to diverse environments.

Myrmecologists conduct fieldwork in forests, deserts, cities, and other habitats, often observing nest architecture, foraging trails, and social organization. In the laboratory they study cognition, learning, chemical communication, and colony dynamics. Key topics include division of labor, caste formation, foraging strategies, defense, reproduction, and worker polymorphism. They also examine the interactions of ants with other organisms, including plant mutualists, fungi cultivated by some species, and invasive ants that alter ecosystems.

Taxonomy and systematics describe and classify species, with roughly 12,000 described ant species worldwide. Evolutionary studies use phylogenetics and population genetics to understand diversification and biogeography. Modern approaches employ molecular data, imaging, and computational modeling to address questions about social behavior and ecology.

Notable figures associated with myrmecology include Auguste-Henri Forel and William Morton Wheeler, who laid groundwork in ant taxonomy and behavior, and contemporary researchers such as Bert Hölldobler and Edward O. Wilson, authors of The Ants. The field provides model systems for studying eusociality, collective behavior, and ecological interactions, with applications in conservation, pest management, and bioinspiration.