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Acanthognathus ocellatus - Trap-Jaw Ant
Venezuela

photograph © Alex Wild 2008

Because long, predatory trap-jaws are not suited for more mundane tasks around the nest, Acanthognathus have a set of short interior teeth at the base of the mandibles for the more delicate work of brood care and nest excavation. 

 
Venezuela, Aragua:
Parque Nacional Henri Pittier
viii.2008

This image is copyrighted by the photographer and cannot be used without permission. To obtain permission to use this image, please email Alex Wild. (alwild (at) myrmecos.net).  Most of the photographs on myrmecos.net are reduced from their original size and compressed for more efficient web transmission.  In some cases, higher quality versions are available.

This image was captured with a Canon EOS 20D using a Canon MP-E 65mm 1-5x macro lens.