ABSTRACT
There are an estimated 20,000 species of ants in approximately 300 genera. However, only about 8,000 of these have been named, thus we are ignorant of more than half of the probable number of species. Of the known genera only half have been the subject of a good taxonomic revision, despite the importance these insects play in relation with man (see this chapters in this volume) or in relation to natural environments (where they may represent 10–20% of the total animal biomass).
