Jack Longino, a professor of biology, has discovered 33 new species of predatory ants in Central America and the Caribbean and named about third of the tiny monstrous-looking insects after ancient Mayan lords and demons.
The findings has been explained in a study published online Monday, July 29 in the journal Zootaxa.
"These new ant species are the stuff of nightmares" when viewed under a microscope," said Longino, entomologist. "Their faces are broad shields, the eyes reduced to tiny points at the edges and the fierce jaws bristling with sharp teeth.
"They look a little like the monster in 'Alien.' They're horrifying to look at up close. That's sort of what makes them fun."
Longino identified and named 14 new species of the ant genus Eurhopalothrix and distinguished them from the other 14 previously known species.
"The new species were found mostly in small patches of forest that remain in a largely agricultural landscape, highlighting the importance of forest conservation efforts in Central America," Longino said. "They are nearly eyeless and crawl around in leaf litter."
These newly discovered ants can detect light but can't see images and are much smaller than a rice grain. They are known to coat themselves with a thin layer of clay that is believed to serve as a camouflage.
One of the scary features noticed in the new species of predatory ants is that its jaws opens and closes in a sideways motion.
"If you really want a movie monster that freaks people out, have the jaws go side to side," Longino said.
