History of Ants of Ecuador

Dear friends

     Recently I have had this idea that has been going rounds in my head that I would like to share it with you. It’s about the history of myrmecology in Ecuador. Even though written work goes back to premature observations of ant activity made in the seventeen century by Amazonian explorers like the unknown but important for Ecuadorian Natural History Father Juan de Velazco, information regarding this or any other historical data concerning Ecuadorian ants seems to be scarce.
      My intention is to include a small essay about the history of ant studies conducted in Ecuador as well as the impact of Ecuadorian specimens in Myrmecology in a revision paper of the Ants of Ecuador.
      I will be very grateful with anyone who can share any anecdote with me or is aware of some written work dealing with any historical aspect concerning Ecuadorian ant specimens.

Thanks a lot for your time.

Regards,

David Donoso
Museo de Zoología QCAZ
Quito, Ecuador

david_donosov@yahoo.com