Trends in evolution of ant wing venation (Hymenoptera,Formicidae)

Some characters of wings are applied for description of ants and their phylogeny. Seventeen recent subfamilies of Formicidae are analyzed. Sixteen types of forewing venation are distinguished. The main ant subfamilies are compared with respect to their forewing venation and other wing characteristics. The general relations between wing venation and size of ants are described. The specific features of wing venation in representatives of various subfamilies are characterized, as well as differences in the evolutionary trends. The general trends in wing venation are discussed.