Hormigas de Colombia III: los géneros Acanthoponera Mayr, Heteroponera Mayr y Paraponera Fr. Smith (Formicidae: Ponerinae: Ectatommini)

Ectatommini is one of the most important group of predator ants (subfamily Ponerinae) in the tropics. The tribal caracterization, systematics, phylogeny and biology are summarized. Keys to neotropical genera are provided, and keys, distribution and biology of the colombian species Acanthoponera minor, A. mucronata, Heteroponera microps, H. monticote, H. inca and Paraponera clavata are included. While Acanthoponera and Heteroponera are rarely collected genera, with cryptic habits, Paraponera clavata is widely distributed in wat lowland habitats and presents flexible nest and foraging behavior.