Messor

{{short description|Genus of ants}}

{{for|the minor Roman god|Messor (god)}}

{{More citations needed|type=animal|date=December 2009}}

{{Automatic_taxobox

| name = Messor

| image = Messor barbarus princess.jpg

| image_caption = Messor barbarus queen with wings still attached

| taxon = Messor

| authority = Forel, 1890

| type_species = Formica barbara{{AntCat|429828|Messor|2015|accessdate=10 January 2015}}

| type_species_authority = Linnaeus, 1767

| diversity_link = #Species

| diversity = > 100 species

| diversity_ref =

| synonyms =

Cratomyrmex Emery, 1892

Lobognathus Enzmann, J., 1947

}}

Messor is a genus of myrmicine ants with more than 100 species, all of which are harvester ants; the generic name comes from the Roman god of crops and harvest, Messor. The subterranean colonies tend to be found in open fields and near roadsides, openings are directly to the surface.

Colonies can achieve huge sizes and are notable for their intricately designed granaries in which seeds are stored in dry conditions, preventing germination. The structure of Messor spp. nests is complex and the genus on the whole is one of very accomplished architects.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}}

Messor spp. are polymorphic and have a distinct caste of macrocephalic dinoergates whose role is carrying and cutting the large seeds which comprise much of the colonies' subsistence. Although they primarily feed on seeds, they occasionally eat insects and snails.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}} Some snail shells possibly are taken into the nest because of their grain-like shape.{{cite journal|last=Páll-Gergely|first=Barna|author2=Péter Sólymos|title=Ants as shell collectors: notes on land snail shells found around ant nests|journal=Malacologica Bohemoslovaca|year=2009|volume=8|pages=14–18|doi=10.5817/MaB2009-8-14 |s2cid=58911371 |doi-access=free}}

Equipped with a tough, shining cuticle, Messor spp. are slow-moving and form long, seed-carrying runs. Colonies tend to be monogynous - founded by a single queen alone.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}}

Looking specifically at the M. arenarius species for example, like some other types of harvester ants, they emit trail pheromones as well as operating on an individual level when looking for food sources.{{cite journal|last=Segev|first=Udi|author2=Yaron Ziv|title=Consequences of behavioral vs. numerical dominance on foraging activity of desert seed-eating ants|journal=Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology|year=2012|volume=66|issue=4 |pages=623–632|doi=10.1007/s00265-011-1310-3 |bibcode=2012BEcoS..66..623S |s2cid=18089283 }}

File:Ant 2007-1.jpg

File:Messor angularis casent0217515 profile 1.jpg