 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (July 2014) |
| Tetraponera | |
|---|---|
| |
| Tetraponera rakotonis worker | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Pseudomyrmecinae |
| Tribe: | Pseudomyrmecini |
| Genus: | Tetraponera Smith, 1852 |
| Type species | |
| Tetraponera nigra (as T. atrata) Smith, 1852
| |
| Diversity[1] | |
| 96 species | |
Tetraponera is a genus of ants in the subfamily Pseudomyrmecinae that are commonly known as slender ants and are characterized by their arboreal nature and slender bodies. The 96 described species of Tetraponera all of which live in hollow structures of plants and trees, such as thorns or branches; these hosts are known as myrmecophytes. Tetraponera species are closely related to the New World genus of ants Pseudomyrmex, but differ in their relationships with host plants.[citation needed]
- ^ Bolton, B. (2022). "Tetraponera". AntCat. Retrieved 28 February 2022.