The Myrmecofauna (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Hungary: Survey of Ant Species with an Annotated Synonymic Inventory

Ants (Hymenoptera: Forimicidae) are exceedingly common in nature. They constitute a conspicuous part of the terrestrial animal biomass and also considered ecosystem engineers. Due to their key role natural habitats, they at basis any nature conservation policy. Thus, first step developing adequate management policies is build precise faunistic inventory. More than 16,000 valid ant species registered worldwide, which 126 known occur Hungary. Thanks last decade’s efforts Hungarian myrmecological research, because constantly changing taxonomy several problematic genera, new checklist ants presented here. The state myrmecofauna discussed context other European countries’ fauna. Six (Formica lemani, Lasius nitidigaster, Tetramorium immigrans, T. staerckei, indocile Temnothorax turcicus) have been reported for time literature, nine taxon names were changed after systematic replacements, nomenclatorial act, or as result splitting formerly continuous populations into more taxa. Two believed Hungary now excluded from updated list. All nomenclaturally assessed, complete synonymies applied literature certain provided. Wherever it not self-evident, comments added, especially explain replacements names. Finally, we present brief descriptive comparison with fauna surrounding countries. current dataset ongoing work on inventorying fauna, therefore expected change over will be once taxonomic projects completed.