The main goal of this project is to document the biodiversity and life histories of the Cardiocondyla ants in the
Caucasus by using of the modern and widely used methodologies. It will be the first detailed study
on Cardiocondyla ants in the Caucasus (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan,) using a combination of behavioral,
sociometric, morphological and molecular analyses.
In the case of implementation of the project objectives:
1. Investigations planned by the project objectives will provide detailed knowledge about the diversity
of Cardiocondyla in the Caucasus and contribute to our understanding of biodiversity in this hot spot.
2. New record species for the ant fauna of the Caucasus and new species for science will be revealed;
3. Based on the results firm conclusions will be done about the population and colony structure of the genus
Cardiocondyla.
4. The studies will complement ongoing research on the evolution of life histories in ants,
using Cardiocondyla as a prime example and improve our understanding of the origin of different male
reproductive tactics.
5. Based on collected materials, collections of Cardiocondyla ants will be created. Information about the
collections will be uploaded on the web-site of Ilia State University, that gives opportunity to the specialists
and students to see our collections, to establish business communications with foreigner colleagues and to
plan ways of further bilateral cooperation;
6. The results of the project will be published in peer-reviewed journal(s).
7. Project results will be used by ant taxonomists, conservation biologists and ecologists. The received data
might be used in the teaching courses of Invertebrate Zoology, Ecology and Conservation Biology at the
Universities of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan;
8. The paratypes of the new species will be given to the leading museums of the world: London, Paris, St.
Petersburg and Gorlitz Nature History Museums and will be accessible for leading specialists in the world.