Request for Ponerine Specimens

     I am in the early stages of work on the molecular systematics of the Subfamily Ponerinae (as recently redefined by Bolton), and am in great need of specimens for DNA work. My main focus is the elucidation of the tribal, generic and suprageneric relationships within the subfamily.
     The Ponerinae is a diverse group whose internal relationships are mostly unknown. The subfamily is currently composed of the following tribes and genera:

Platythyreini
          Platythyrea

Ponerini
          Anochetus
          Asphinctopone
          Belonopelta
          Centromyrmex
          Cryptopone
          Diacamma
          Dinoponera
          Dolioponera
          Emeryopone
          Harpegnathos
          Hypoponera
          Leptogenys
          Loboponera
          Myopias
          Odontomachus
          Odontoponera
          Pachycondyla
          Phrynoponera
          Plectroctena
          Ponera
          Psalidomyrmex
          Simopelta
          Streblognathus

Thaumatomyrmecini
          Thaumatomyrmex

In addition, I need outgroup taxa such as Paraponera and any amblyoponines. I would greatly appreciate the contribution of any specimens from any of the above groups, from any part of the world. For DNA work they should preferably be recently collected (within the last few years or so) and preserved in 95% or 100% ethanol, with full collection data. Pinned specimens are also valuable to me and are most welcome. I will happily reimburse any shipping costs.

Many thanks,

Chris A. Schmidt
University of Arizona
Department of Entomology
Forbes Building #36, room 410
Tucson, AZ 85721-0036

cschmidt@u.arizona.edu
http://www.ponerine.org