Amazon-Rossomyrmex
Status: Category II (VUB2ab(iii); C2b; D2). A rare relict representative of the fauna of virgin steppes with a disjunctive range. There are only three species in the genus, R. proformicarum and R. minuchae Tinaut, 1981 (endemic to the Iberian Peninsula) were included in the IUCN RLTS in 1994 (VU D2 category) [76]; the status of the species described from China, R. quandratinodum Xia & Zheng, 1995, needs clarification.
Brief description of the adult stage appearance. Ants with a slender build, worker individuals of medium size, with a body length of 5.2-5.6 mm. The head, thorax, and petiole are yellowish-red, the abdomen (except for the stalk, which consists of one segment) is black, with a weak bronze sheen. The eyes are normally developed, there are three ocelli, the head is large, wider than the thorax, with an indentation on the occipital margin, the scape (the basal segment) of the bent antennae is shorter than the distance from the shallow antennal pits to the occipital margin of the head, mandibles have eight teeth on the developed chewing edge. The legs are light brown, the body sculpture is inconspicuous, and hairs are developed on the dorsal side of the body, especially long on the propodeum. Males and females are unknown [77]. Distribution is general and within the country. Insufficiently studied. The species was described from the Lower Volga region [77], also known from Rostov Oblast, Kalmykia (Russian Federation), Western and Southeastern Kazakhstan, Mongolia [80]; in Kyrgyzstan [12] - from the eastern part of the Chui Valley (near the village of Orlovka).
Habitat. Rossomyrmex are found in colonies of ants from the genus Proformica Ruzsky, which build nests in the soil, in typical steppe stations on virgin soils, in Kyrgyzstan - along a narrow strip at the foot of the leading chain of foothills, at an absolute height of about 1150 m above sea level.
Population. During several accounting hours on the surface of the soil and under stones, several individuals were encountered [38], and upon re-examination of the finding site (after two weeks), Amazon-Rossomyrmex were not found [50]. Special searches in other biotopically similar habitats were unsuccessful [45].
Life style (life cycles). Insufficiently studied. Apparently, a significant part of the life cycle occurs underground, in the nests of hosts. Amazon-Rossomyrmex were mainly encountered in the morning hours; they may be most active during the dark hours of the day. R. proformicarum is a parasite ("slave owner") of Proformica epinotalis Kuzn.-Ug. (Steppe honey ant) [77] and P nasuta (Nyl.) [80]. During raids, each of the Amazon ants in the column carries another in its jaws; when the nest of the honey ant is discovered, all Rossomyrmex participate in its plundering, and on the way back, each carries a pupa of the "slave" ant [80]. In Kyrgyzstan, Rossomyrmex was noted at the end of June [38].
Limiting factors. The habitats are located in an area of active anthropogenic influence, with widespread degradation of natural communities due to overgrazing, plowing, land reclamation, and pesticide pollution. The population of the host species, P. epinotalis, is also declining and subject to fluctuations. Two other known species of Amazons in Kyrgyzstan (more common, for which males and females are known) do not use Proformica spp. as "slaves" and are not competitors.
Breeding (keeping in captivity). Not conducted.
Existing conservation measures. Currently, the species is not protected anywhere.
Recommended conservation measures. Preservation of pristine areas of virgin steppes with colonies of host ants. It is advisable to conduct additional searches for Amazon-Rossomyrmex, and in places of discovery, organize micro-reserves, introduce a regime to eliminate all factors of habitat degradation, and protect the entire entomocomplex of virgin steppes, study the biology of reproduction and dispersal.
Black-bellied slave-making ant
Russian Rossomyrmex
Rossomyrmex proformicarum K. Arnoldi, 1928
Status: Vulnerable (VU B2ab (iii); C2b; D2 - Category II), rarest species with disjunctive area. It is representative of oligotypic relic genus, two of three congeners of which are included into IUCN RLTS. Russian Rossomyrmex inhabits virgin steppes; area of habitats is decreasing by economic development of lands; it is registered in Rostov Province (Russia), Kalmyk Republic, Lower Volga region, South-eastern Kazakhstan and in eastern part of Chu Valley in Kyrgyzstan, at 1,150 m above sea level. Number is extremely small; no more populations in Kyrgyzstan were revealed yet. Males and females are unknown; workers are slave-makers for some Proformica ant species. At present time the species and habitats are out of any protection. Preservation of virgin steppes is necessary for conservation of Russian Rossomyrmex and host, as well search for other localities, the micro-reservations creation there and study of reproductive biology.
