Matt Hamer - Entomologist

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

About Me

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

PhD student. The Univeristy of Hong Kong, Insect Biodiversity and Biogeography Laboratory
Supervisors: Prof. Benoit Guénard
Taxonomy, Biodiversity & Evolution MSc. Imperial College London & Natural History Museum London
Disseration Supervisors: Dr. Thomas Creedy & Prof. Alfried Vogler
Zoology BSc. Bangor Univeristy.
Hons Disseration Supervisor: Dr. Alison Cameron

Work

Research Assisstant: The University of Hong Kong, IBBL. 2021-2024
Expedition Entomologist: Operation Wallacea LTD. Cusuco National Park, Honduras. June 2019 – August 2019
Entomology Curation: Bangor Univeristy (part time). 2018 September - June 2019
Intern: Madagascan Biodiversity Center. August 2018 – September 2018

Publications

Indexed publications

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. IN REVIEW.
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. IN REVIEW.
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. IN REVIEW.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Hamer, MT., Pierce, MP., Guénard, B. The Amblyoponinae of Hong Kong. 2023. Asian Myrmecology. 16(e016005): 1-37. doi:10.1111/jbi.14546
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
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
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

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.
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
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
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
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
Hamer, MT. 2021. New Records of Stenamma debile (Formicidae; Myrmicinae) in East Sussex (Vice-County 14). Bees, Wasps and Ants Recording Society Spring Newsletter
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
Hamer, MT. 2020. First Record of Myrmica lobicornis from Anglesey, Wales (Vice-County 52). Bees, Wasps and Ants Recording Society Spring Newsletter.

Reports

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
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

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

An example of Pseudoscorpion phoresy within Lapwings - Jim Shaw. Lancashire Wildlife Trust Magazine Winter 2000
Lasius flavus photo within The Bees, Wasps and Ants of Lancashire - Ben Hargreaves & Steve White. Lancashire and Cheshire Fauna Society
Tetramorium caespitum photo within Ants - Richard Jones. Bloomsbury Publishing
Stenorrhina degenhardtii in the supplementary material of Akcali et al 2019 'Multiple models generate a geographical mosaic of resemblance in a Batesian mimicry complex' Royal Society B

Photography Awards

One of 12 selected for in Sussex Wildlife Trust photography competition 2020
Short Listed in the Luminar Bug Photography Awards 2020. For Robberfly within the Flies, Bees, Wasps and Dragonflies category

Talks

I am more than happy to speak about entomology related topics, including insect natural history, specimen prepartion and identification techneques. I would like to run some British ant identification courses in the future too.

The Ants of Hong Kong - Current Taxonomic Efforts. Asian Myrmecology Network Meeting. Kota Kinabula. 2023
From Field to Pin - A guide to preparing ant specimens for point mounting. Bees, Wasps and Ants Recording Society AGM 2021
The Peculiar Natural History of the Iniquiline Ant Tetramorium atratulum. British Entomology and Natural History Society 'Entomological Opportunities 2018'