Myrmoteras

Myrmoteras is unique among the Formicinae in having the mandibles specialized as trap-jaws. This feature has evolved independently several times in ants and is also found in the ponerines Odontomachus and Anochetus, as well as a few myrmicine genera such as Strumigenys.

Species are found largely in forested areas where they forage singly on the surface of the ground and in leaf litter. Nests are tiny, with a single queen and less than 10 workers, in soil or small twigs on the ground. These ants are relatively rare, or at least uncommonly encountered.