Himender Bharti’s research while affiliated with Punjabi University and other places

We report the predation of Tetraponera rufonigra (Formicidae) by Euryopis sp. (Theridiidae) for the first time. This is a first ever report of any predator documentation on T. rufonigra. Additionally, an updated checklist of myrmecophagy by Euryopis sp. has been presented. This documentation has been done at New Forest Campus,

13 herpetofaunal species belonging to nine families were recorded. The family Colubridae contributed the highest proportion (23.08 %), followed by Varanidae and Elapidae (15.38 % each).

Ants are a diverse and ecologically important family of insects, found in various habitats across the globe. Their presence and interactions within ecosystems play crucial roles in nutrient cycling, soil aeration and as predators or prey in food webs. The study of ant species in specific regions provides insight into local biodiversity and ecological dynamics. Detailed documentation of ant species, including their distribution and behavior, aids in understanding their ecological roles and contributions to ecosystem health. Despite extensive research on ants globally, certain regions and habitats remain under-documented, leading to gaps in knowledge about the presence and diversity of specific ant species. Comprehensive surveys and studies are needed to fill these gaps and update species checklists. The male caste of Diacamma rugosum jerdoni Forel, 1903, is described in this study. Diacamma rugosum jerdoni which was proposed a potential synonym of Diacamma rugosum sculptum (Jerdon, 1851) by Emery in 1911, the type material of which was by then unknown. Hence, it is thought appropriate to abandon the name Diacamma rugosum sculptum (Jerdon, 1851) which is not identifiable with description and have no existing type material. Additionally, for the first time in Kerala, we report the presence of Crematogaster dalyi Forel, 1902, and Leptogenys emiliae Forel, 1902. We furthermore offer a checklist for the genera Crematogaster and Leptogenys. The documentation of these species highlights the rich ant diversity in the region and underscores the importance of continued research.

We described a new species Crematogaster gadagkari sp. nov. from India. The species is collected from the North East Himalaya. It resembles C. rogenhoferi Mayr, 1879 and Crematogaster himalayana Forel, 1902, but can be distinguished from both species on the basis of sculpture and propodeal spine length. An identification key to the known species of the genus Crematogaster from India is also updated. In addition, a DNA barcode for the newly described species is also provided with Genbank accession number "OP807010".

The ontogeny of an organism provides fundamental insights into its life history and evolutionary background. Among insects, especially ants, relatively few observations have been formalized about the morphology of immature stages. Using light and scanning electron microscopy, this study presents the first description of the different larval instars of Aphaenogaster cristata (Forel, 1902) and Aphaenogaster pachei (Forel, 1906), species endemic to the Himalayas that predominate in areas where cold temperature stress and disturbances limit the presence of other ants. The existence of four larval instars was estimated based on the frequency distribution of their measured maximum head widths. We observed discrete alterations in the body constitution and parts among the different instars, suggesting they must follow similar habits until pupation. The two species, however, present noticeable particularities in their mandibles and hair types, suggesting intrinsic life adaptations. Observed traits complementary with previous descriptions with larvae of the genus and related taxa are suggestive of considerable evolutionary distance from Messor , considered the sister clade, which merits further taxonomic investigation in future studies.

The ant genus Vollenhovia Mayr, 1865 (Myrmicinae, Crematogastrini) mostly occurs in the Australasian and Oriental regions. We revised its diversity in India and Sri Lanka based on qualitative and quantitative morphology, recognizing eleven taxa, including a new species which is described herewith: V. escherichi Forel, 1911, V. gastropunctata Bharti & Kumar, 2013, V. karimalaensis Dhadwal et al., 2023, V. keralensis Kripakaran & Sadasivan, 2022, V. mawrapensis Dhadwal et al., 2023, V. oblonga laevithorax Emery, 1889, V. penetrans (Smith, 1857), V. pfeifferi Bharti et al., 2023, V. taylori Rilta et al., 2023, V. terayamai Rilta et al., 2023, and V. yasmeenae sp. nov. The subspecies status of V. oblonga laevithorax and its relationship with V. penetrans, whose type series does not contain workers, still requires to be assessed in the context of a broader revision including the whole Oriental region. The known distribution of the genus in the Indian subcontinent appears to be fragmentary, still requiring extensive sampling efforts. Four species are from the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot in the southern Indian state of Kerala, one is endemic to the biogeographically related Sri Lanka, three are known from Eastern India near the border with Bangladesh, two are reported from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and one is restricted to the Himachal Pradesh in northern India. A comprehensive key of the known Vollenhovia species from India and Sri Lanka is provided.

Two new species, Camponotus sholensis sp. nov. and Camponotus meghalayaensis sp. nov. are described from India and redescriptions of four species (C. habereri Forel, 1911, C. keihitoi Forel, 1913, C. quadrinotatus Forel, 1886 and C. simoni Emery, 1893) new to India are provided. We also recorded and described an unidentified form ‘Camponotus sp. 101’ that does not correspond to any species already known in India. An identification key supplemented with digital images of the known species of the genus is also provided.

The Himalayan Mountain system is a hotspot of biodiversity and harbors endemic flora and fauna. Different groups of organisms have speciated and proliferated in its abode. Ants of genus Myrmica are one such group whose diversification coincides with the formation of Himalayas. The species of this group are cold hardy and have adopted several survival strategies to cope with the harsh environmental conditions. The odyssey from egg to queen in Myrmica species takes about 1.5 years as these species must over-winter twice to complete its journey. Apart from their life cycle, these species form associations with other ant species residing in Himalayas, which are termed as social parasitism. From getting food from other ant species to raiding their nests for brood to manipulating worker force of host for its well-being are some of the associations observed in these Himalayan ants. A detailed account of natural history of Himalayan Myrmica species is provided herewith.

Three new species in the Tetramorium tortuosum group, T. alii, T. binghami and T. hitagarciai, are described and illustrated from the Western Ghats, India. In addition, information on the remaining six know species in this group — T. belgaense Forel, 1902, T. keralense Sheela & Narendran, 1998, T. pilosum Emery, 1893, T. tortuosum Roger, 1863, T. urbanii Bolton, 1977 and T. yerburyi Forel, 1902 — is provided along with the key to all the taxa in the group. The tortuosum group is the largest of the species group with workers characterized by 11-segmented antenna from the region. Morphology and group affinities of the species are discussed, along with their distribution. However, due to sampling constraints and still insufficient taxonomic knowledge the actual diversity is yet to be properly explored.