Matt Hamer - Entomologist

PhD student at Insect Biodiversity and Biogeography Laboratory, The University of Hong Kong

About Me

Email - matt.hamer AT hotmail.co.uk
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I am an entomological researcher, with a particular interest in myrmecology, alongside insect diversity, faunistics, as well as taxonomy and evolution. Currently based at the University of Hong Kong as a PhD student within the Insect Biodiversity and Biogeography Laboratory.

Work and Education

Education

Work

Publications

Indexed publications

  1. Hamer, MT., Katzke J., Tang, KL., Weemaels AI., Hita-Garcia, F., Economo EP., Guénard B. A revision of the rare Strumigenys mnemosyne (Formicidae; Myrmicinae) group using micro-CT scanning, with the description of three new species, and the virtual repair of a broken paratype. PLoS ONE. 20(9): e0331762. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0331762
  2. Hu, J., Bogar, T., Hamer, MT., Guénard, B. Impacts of single and multiple co-existing invasive species on subtropical native ant communities. Ecology and Evolution. 2025; 15:e72095 https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.72095
  3. Hamer, MT., Lee, RH., Wang, L-W., Davies, K., Chan, M., Fellowes, JR,. Guénard B. A Checklist of Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Hainan Province, China. Asian Myrmecology. 18: 018006 (1-123) DOI: 10.20362/am.018006
  4. Hamer, MT., Gomez, K., Jocque, M. A New Xymmer Santschi, 1914 (Formicidae: Amblyoponinae) Species from the Congo Basin, with Male and Female Descriptions of X. muticus (Santschi, 1914). Zootaxa. 5647 (5), 479-495. doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.5.7
  5. Wint, FDC., Oorts, D., Branstetter, MG., Graaf, DD., Dekoninck, W., Jocque, M., Martin, TE., Sudworth, J., Osselaer, RV., Hamer, MT. Ants in the clouds: A preliminary checklist of the ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) fauna of a Honduran cloud forest ecosystem, featuring a key to country genera (Cusuco National Park, Honduras). Neotropical Biology and Conservation. 19(2): 107-135 doi: 10.3897/neotropical.19.e119775
  6. Hamer, MT., Weemaels, AI., Fu Y., Xuan, K., Tse, CYL., Tang, KL., Guénard, B. New insights into the Leptanillinae (Formicidae) diversity and distribution within China. Zootaxa. 5471(1):99-112. DOI: 10.11646/ZOOTAXA.5471.1.6
  7. Hamer, MT., Lee, JHC., Tse, CYL., Silva, TSR., Guénard, B. 2024. The Leptogenys Roger, 1861 (Formicidae, Ponerinae) of Hong Kong SAR with new additions to Guangdong province, China. ZooKeys. 1202: 169-211 doi: 10.3897/zookeys.1202.120214
  8. Hamer, MT., Turner, CR. 2024. Solenopsis abdita Thompson, 1989 (Formicidae; Myrmicinae) New to Britain. The Entomologist Monthly Magazine. 160(2): 144-150 doi: 10.31184/M00138908.1602.4231
  9. Hamer, MT., Turner, CR. 2024. Strumigenys emmae (Emery, 1890) (Myrmicinae) New to Britain, with an Updated Key to the Known Strumigenys of Europe. Zootaxa. 5415(4): 570-576 doi: 10.11646/ZooTaxa.5415.4.6
  10. Leung, TKC., Leong, CM., Hamer, MT., Guénard, B. 2023. Discovery of the formerly Japan-endemic Ponera kohmoku Terayama, 1996 (Formicidae, Ponerinae) in Southeast China. Asian Myrmecology. 16(016008): 1-11. doi: 10.20362/am.016008
  11. Silva, TSR., Hamer, MT., Guénard, B. 2023. Erratum. A checklist of Nylanderia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae) from Hong Kong and Macao SARs, with an illustrated identification key for species in Southeast China and Taiwan. (2023). Zootaxa 5343(6): 599-600.doi: 10.11646/ZooTaxa.5343.6.6
  12. Hamer, MT., Lee, RH., Guénard, B. 2023. First record of the genus Temnothorax Mayr, 1861 (Formicidae: Myrmicinae) in Hong Kong, with descriptions of two new species. European Journal of Taxonomy. 879(1): 116-135. doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2023.879.2165
  13. Silva, TSR., Hamer, MT., Guénard, B. 2023. A checklist of Nylanderia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae) from Hong Kong and Macao SARs, with an illustrated identification key for species in Southeast China and Taiwan. Zootaxa. 5301(5): 501-539.doi: 10.11646/ZooTaxa.5301.5.1
  14. Hamer, MT., Pierce, MP., Guénard, B. The Amblyoponinae of Hong Kong. 2023. Asian Myrmecology. 16(e016005): 1-37. doi:10.1111/jbi.14546
  15. Wang R., Kass JM., Galkowski, C., Garcia F., Hamer, MT., Radchenko, A., Salata, S., Schifani, E, Yusupov, ZM., Economo, EP., Guénard, B. 2023. New distribution data and phylogenetic approach reveal bioregionalization of the western Palearctic ants. Journal of Biogeography. 50: 503-514. doi: 10.1111/jbi.14546
  16. Finch, EA., Rajoelison ET., Hamer, MT., Caruso, T., Farnsworth, KD., Fisher, BL., Cameron, A. 2022. The effect of swidden agriculture on ant communities in Madagascar. Biological Conservation. 265. doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109400
  17. Hamer, MT., Marquis, A., Guénard, B. 2021. Strumigenys perplexa (Smith 1876) (Formicidae: Myrmicinae) a new exotic ant to Europe with establishment in Guernsey, Channel Islands. Journal of Hymenoptera Research. 83: 101-124. doi:10.3897/jhr.83.66829

Non-indexed publications

  1. Hamer, MT., Telfer, MG., Turner, CR. 2023. Rediscovered after 102 years: Strumigenys rogeri Emery, 1890 (Formicidae; Myrmicinae) is rediscovered in Britain from the Eden Project, East Cornwall (VC 2) British Journal of Entomology & Natural History. 36(4): 225-232.
  2. Hamer, MT., Northfield, A. 2023. Two new non-native Mediterranean ant species to Britain collected from cork bark. British Journal of Entomology & Natural History. 36 (3): 199-204
  3. Hamer, MT., Attewell, P. 2022. Ponera testacea, Emery 1895, (Hym.: Formicidae) in a suburban garden in coastal East Sussex (VC14), with a description of nest location. British Journal of Entomology & Natural History. 36: 1-7
  4. Hamer, MT. 2021. A new site for Claviger testaceous (Preyssler) (Staphylinidae; Pselaphinae) in East Sussex (VC 14) with a review of modern and historical records. The Coleopterist. 30(3): 129-130
  5. Hamer, MT. 2021. A newly recorded exotic ant Pheidole punctatissima Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) to Britain. British Journal of Entomology & Natural History (Short Communication). 34(3):221-223. Link
  6. Hamer, MT. 2021. New Records of Stenamma debile (Formicidae; Myrmicinae) in East Sussex (Vice-County 14). Bees, Wasps and Ants Recording Society Spring Newsletter
  7. Hamer, MT., Cocks, L. 2020. Linepithema iniquum (Mayr) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Found at the National Botanic Garden of Wales. British Journal of Entomology & Natural History. 33:71-75. Link
  8. Hamer, MT. 2020. First Record of Myrmica lobicornis from Anglesey, Wales (Vice-County 52). Bees, Wasps and Ants Recording Society Spring Newsletter.

Reports

  1. Hamer, MT 4.3 Formicidae in Berkel, T et al., 2025. Biodiversity Express Survey (BES) 12.1 The Mekong Biodiversity Project: A biological assessment of Sambour and Prek Prasab Wildlife Sanctuary in Kratie Province, Cambodia Link
  2. Hamer, MT 2.6 Formicidae in Jocqué, M et al., 2023. Biodiversity Express Survey (BES) 11.1 The Salonga NP expedition: a rapid biodiversity assessment in the largest forest reserve in Africa, DRC. Link

Talks

  1. Diversity & Responses of Asian Ants Along Latitudinal & Disturbance Gradients: a 1000 Plots Story. Asian Myrmecology Network Meeting. Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China. 2025
  2. The Ants of Hong Kong - Current Taxonomic Efforts. Asian Myrmecology Network Meeting. Kota Kinabula. 2023
  3. From Field to Pin - A guide to preparing ant specimens for point mounting. Bees, Wasps and Ants Recording Society AGM 2021
  4. The Peculiar Natural History of the Iniquiline Ant Tetramorium atratulum. British Entomology and Natural History Society 'Entomological Opportunities 2018'

Photography

Alongside research, I am an avid macro photographer with a particular interest capturing biodiversity through my lens - both my research and photography are therefore often intertwined. I publish all my photographs formally onto flickr.
I do charge for the use of my photographs depending on their use - please get in touch via my email address above.

Where my photographs have been used

Photography Awards