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Published in 25th February, 2013
The Guests of Japanese Ants
M. Maruyama, T. Komatsu, S. Kudo, T. Shimada, K. Kinomura, 2013
B5 size. 240 pages (including 173 color pages)
Price: JPY4,500 + postage + Packing + handling



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*166 species in 13 orders and 44 families of animals living in association with ant nests in Japan are photographed, with notes on their biology and identification.
*For insects, more than 90% of the known Japanese myrmecophilous species are covered.
*Most are photographed in their natural nest habitats, often in remarkable scenes of communication with their hosts ants.
*For butterflies, entire life histories are pictured for five species intimately associated with ants.
*A complete catalogue of known Japanese myrmecophilous insects listed with their host ants is included.
*Additionally, 19 species of Japanese termitophiles in four orders and six families are photographed.


"The Guest of Japanese Ants" is a remarkable contribution to the natural history of "myrmecophiles": animals that make a living from ants.
Drawing from years of extensive field observations and meticulous taxonomy of the diverse Japanese fauna, the authors present a unique compendium of information, designed to assist and inspire future research on these fascinating organisms.
The majority of the Japanese species\from butterflies and beetles to mites and nematodes\are depicted using stunning macrophotography. Most are shown in nature with their host ants, and many captured for the first time.
Notes on their often-bizarre life styles are included, as well as essential morphological features to assist in their identification.
The authors paint the most detailed picture yet of the diversity of ant colony guests in a single country. This is a major advance in a largely unexplored field of biology.
The book is a necessity for biologists around the world with a passion for ants and the organisms that depend on them.
Joseph Parker (Columbia University)