Scientists have described more than 12,000 ant species worldwide, and ongoing research suggests the true total may be substantially higher as new species are discovered in under‑sampled regions
Observations from missions
Field surveys and taxonomic studies report over 12,000 described ant species distributed across virtually all terrestrial habitats except Antarctica and a few isolated islands.
Why they are so strong
Ants occupy diverse ecological roles—soil aeration, seed dispersal, predation and mutualisms with plants and other insects—which reflect their ubiquity and functional importance in ecosystems worldwide.
Recent evidence and imagery
Recent biodiversity syntheses and biogeographic analyses show high regional turnover and many undescribed species in tropical and remote areas, indicating that ant diversity is still incompletely known and shaped by evolutionary and ecological processes.
Implications for science
The wide range of ant sizes and lifestyles—from tiny Pharaoh ants to large Carpenter ants—means each species has specialized behaviors and adaptations that contribute to colony success and ecosystem services, making ants valuable study subjects for ecology and bioinspired design.
Takeaway
With thousands of species and critical roles in terrestrial ecosystems, ants are among the most widespread and ecologically significant insect groups, and improving global inventories remains a priority to understand their contributions to biodiversity and ecosystem function.