Medium to large workers, commonly around 7–12 millimetres, with long legs and an elongated body.
Fine-art photographic collection
Aphaenogaster swammerdami
A conspicuous island endemic carrying both seeds and animal prey.
About this species
Madagascan long-legged ant
Aphaenogaster swammerdamiForel, 1886
Information reviewed15 July 2026
Aphaenogaster swammerdami is a common Madagascan ant with long legs and a flexible omnivorous diet. Workers collect arthropods and seeds and forage across the ground layer, making the species an important participant in decomposition, predation and seed movement.
Taxonomy
Animalia · Arthropoda · Insecta · Hymenoptera · Formicidae · Myrmicinae · Aphaenogaster
Source checked · checked 2026-07-15
MadagascarBroad documented localities — not a complete range map.
Endemic to Madagascar.
A range of Madagascan forest and open habitats, with regional variation among populations and related forms.
Ground-foraging workers search individually or in small numbers for seeds, carrion and living prey.
Omnivorous: arthropods, carrion, seeds and sugary liquids.
Soil-nesting colonies with workers that recruit nestmates when substantial food is discovered.
What makes this species remarkable?
The species is both a predator and a seed transporter.
It belongs to a Madagascan species group revised using modern morphology and genetic evidence.
Its long legs allow rapid movement across uneven forest-floor surfaces.
Sources and scientific references
More photographs
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