A new putative species in the Ectatomma ruidum complex (Formicidae: Ectatomminae) produces a species-specific distress call

Social insects communicate by using chemical, visual, tactile, and acoustic signals, including stridulations. Ectatomma ruidum is a mainly Neotropical ant species complex that has faced strong divergence at the genetic level; have highly variable blend of cuticular hydrocarbons relatively conserved morphology. Based on evidence for chemical differentiation, we tested variation in traits. We compared stridulations produced E. sp. 2, 3–4 new putative 5, as well morphology stridulatory file. found 5 were statistically different from those other number The differences traits might rely more way ants produce sound (rubbed area percentages) than file, which did not find variation. Our results highlight use potential taxonomic tools integrative studies suggest been subjected to selection.