Matabele ant  (Pachycondyla analis)

This species has not yet been assessed by the IUCN.

The Matabele ant (Pachycondyla analis) colony consists of two different sizes of worker, ‘majors’ and ‘minors’. The minor worker is particularly black and shiny in comparison to the major worker (3). The major worker Matabele ant has large, toothed mandibles to disable termites (4). The breeding female is morphologically similar to the worker ant (3).

The male Matabele ant looks different to worker ants, as it does not forage or carry out other tasks for the colonies’ survival (4).

The Matabele ant occurs throughout Africa south of the Sahara, from West Africa, including the Ivory Coast and Ghana, to East Africa in countries such as Ethiopia and Nigeria (2) (4).

The Matabele ant is found in savanna areas and tropical dry forests, where it co-occurs with the termite species on which it preys (2) (5). The Matabele ant nests underground, beneath rocks, on trees, in open fields and in deserted termite mounds (3). Nests can descend up to 70 centimetres below the surface (6).

A Matabele ant colony has an average of 400 to 1,400 members, depending on location (3). A single queen is responsible for reproduction of the colony, as the worker ant does not breed. The queen typically occupies the colony nest, along with eggs and larvae (6).

The Matabele ant preys exclusively on termites (4). This species will attack termites with ‘raiding columns’, which may be up to 1,000 individuals strong and up to several metres long (4) (7). A single ‘major’ worker scouts out foraging termite parties. The worker moves slowly, searching for termite pheromones with its antennae, sometimes travelling up to 95 metres from the nest (3) (5). Once a termite party is found, the ‘scout ant’ returns to the colony, laying a chemical trail. This trail is then followed by the raiding column in order to find the termites (8).

When searching for termites, the Matabele ant raiding column is lead by a single individual, the ‘scout ant’, who originally found the foraging termites (4). Ants in the raiding column will spread out and attack the termite foraging party by breaking open the soil sheeting constructed by the termites to cover their food, and digging into the termite tunnels (8). Termites are captured, stung, and dragged to the surface, where the ants pile them up while they continue hunting (3).

Once the raid is complete the ‘major’ workers will carry up to 12 termites each back to the nest (7). Raids occur in mornings and evenings, and at night in dry periods (3) (7). The Matabele ant colony can make repeated raids on termite colonies without completely destroying the termites, effectively harvesting them (5).

The Matabele ant is unusual among insects in that even when outside the nest, it will act in co-operative self defence. This species will help nest mates under attack from the smaller, but incredibly aggressive, driver ant (Dorylus sp.), by scanning for and removing the ants that are clinging to nest mates’ extremities. The Matabele ant has even been observed to turn back, after initially running away, in order to rescue beleaguered nest mates (9).

The Matablele ant habitat is considered threatened, with dry forests being more threatened than moist and wet forests, but being less well protected (10).

Although African tropical dry forests are widely distributed, none of these forest regions exist as large, concentrated blocks, and 88 percent of African tropical dry forests are highly fragmented. Dry forests are also greatly at risk from forest fires (11).

As the Matabele ant is not considered at risk, no formal attempts are being made to conserve it. However, its termite prey are economically important as pests of wooden structures and as recyclers of plant material, so attempts to conserve the Matabele ant may in future be a cost-effective way of controlling termites (3).

Subtropical dry forests in Africa should be considered conservation priorities due to the multiple threats they face from the human population, deforestation and climate change and their conservation would benefit a number of species such as the Matabele ant (11).

More information on the Matabele ant:

• Antbase - Pachycondyla analis:
  http://antbase.org/ants/africa/pachycondyla/pachycondyla_analis/pachycondyla_analis.htm

Find out about invertebrates and their conservation:

• Buglife:
  http://www.buglife.org.uk/