myrmecophagous

Myrmecophagous describes animals that feed primarily on ants and termites. The term combines the Greek myrmex (ant) and phagein (to eat) and is used across several mammalian lineages, including some extinct groups. Members of this feeding style are often characterized by specialized morphological adaptations that facilitate locating, breaking into, and consuming social insects.

Typical adaptations include elongated snouts and skulls, extremely long and sticky tongues, and reduced or absent dentition. Many have powerful forelimbs with strong claws for digging into nests or mounds, while some rely on tactile or olfactory cues to locate prey. The digestive system is generally adapted to process high-protein, insect diets, though specific features vary among lineages.

Examples of myrmecophagous animals are diverse. The American and Asian anteaters (such as Myrmecophaga tridactyla and Tamandua spp.) show pronounced beaks and long tongues. The aardvark (Orycteropus afer) of Africa has a long tongue and digging claws. Pangolins (order Pholidota) possess scales and a highly elongate snout with a sticky tongue for termite and ant predation. In Africa and Australia, the aardwolf (Proteles cristatus) and the numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus) are also specialized termite feeders, with adaptations suited to foraging in grasslands or wood-rich environments.

Ecology and evolution: Myrmecophagy has arisen independently in multiple lineages, illustrating convergent evolution driven by similar foraging pressures. These species play important roles in controlling ant and termite populations and influence the structure of some ecosystems.