Ant Header Image

Matthew T. Hamer

Email: matt.hamer AT hotmail.co.uk | Google Scholar | ResearchGate | BlueSky |

About Me

I am an entomological researcher with a special interest in and knowledge of myrmecology, with a particular focus on the Western Palaearctic and Indomalayan ant fauna. Other areas of academic interest include insect diversity across all orders, faunistics, biodiversity monitoring, and taxonomy and evolution. I also have extensive experience and passion for field work, organising numerous expeditions across Southeast Asia to sample ant communities. I am currently based at the University of Hong Kong as a PhD candidate within the Insect Biodiversty and Biogeography Laboratory.

Education

PhD Canditate - The Univeristy of Hong Kong, Insect Biodiversity and Biogeography Laboratory

2024 -

MSc Taxonomy, Biodiversity & Evolution - Imperial College London & Natural History Museum, London.

2019 - 2020

BSc Zoology - Bangor University, Wales

2016 - 2019

Experience

Research Assisstant: The University of Hong Kong

2021 - 2024

Insect sampling (various trapping methods), identification (e.g. ants, aculeate wasps, Scolytinae beetles), database and collection management, student guidance, analysis

Expedition Entomologist: Operation Wallacea LTD

June - August 2019

Insect sampling across Cusuco National Park, Honduras. Dung beetle identification, teaching and student guidance across mountainous cloud forest environment

Entomology Curation: Bangor Univeristy (part time)

2018 September - June 2019

Sample processing, ant specimen identification, collection curation and databasing. Conducted during undergraduate studies.

Intern: Madagascan Biodiversity Center

August 2018 - September 2018

Sample processing, ant specimen identification, insect sampling methods.

Editorial Positions & Peer Review

Handling Editor: Asian Myrmecology; 2026 -

I have reviewed 16 papers for the following journals; Zookeys, Zootaxa, Asian Myrmecology, Journal of Natural History, Myrmecological News, Journal of Entomological Research, British Journal of Entomology & Natural History. I predominately review papers related to ant taxonomy but I am happy to consider papers of other subjects too.

Research

Indexed publications

  1. Chan, M., Hamer, MT., Guénard, B. 2026. A new species complex in the genus Camponotus Mayr, 1861 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), with the description of a new species. Contributions To Entomology. 76(1): 139-158. doi: 10.3897/contrib.entomol.76.e189240
  2. Arcos, J., López-Collar, D., Menchetti, M., Hamer, MT., Logachev, M., Pinto, T., Rosado, Á. 2026. Non-native ants of the Iberian Peninsula: a 2025 update. Sociobiology. 73(1): e11981. doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v73i2.11981
  3. Baptista, M., Keller, RA., Hamer, MT., Guénard, B., Hita-Garcia, F. 2026. Breaking the Monotypy: Insights into an Enigmatic Ant Genus with the Discovery of Ishakidris hastifera sp. nov. in Peninsular Malaysia. Journal of Hymenoptera Research. 99: 101-124 doi: 10.3897/jhr.99.166509
  4. Hamer, MT., Katzke J., Tang, KL., Weemaels AI., Hita-Garcia, F., Economo EP., Guénard B. 2025. 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
  5. Hu, J., Bogar, T., Hamer, MT., Guénard, B. 2025. 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
  6. Hamer, MT., Lee, RH., Wang, L-W., Davies, K., Chan, M., Fellowes, JR,. Guénard B. 2025. A Checklist of Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Hainan Province, China. Asian Myrmecology. 18: 018006 (1-123) DOI: 10.20362/am.018006
  7. Hamer, MT., Gomez, K., Jocque, M. 2025. 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
  8. Wint, FDC., Oorts, D., Branstetter, MG., Graaf, DD., Dekoninck, W., Jocque, M., Martin, TE., Sudworth, J., Osselaer, RV., Hamer, MT. 2024. 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
  9. Hamer, MT., Weemaels, AI., Fu Y., Xuan, K., Tse, CYL., Tang, KL., Guénard, B. 2024. New insights into the Leptanillinae (Formicidae) diversity and distribution within China. Zootaxa. 5471(1):99-112. DOI: 10.11646/ZOOTAXA.5471.1.6
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. 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. Zootaxa 5343(6): 599-600.doi: 10.11646/ZooTaxa.5343.6.6
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. Hamer, MT., Pierce, MP., Guénard, B. The Amblyoponinae of Hong Kong. 2023. Asian Myrmecology. 16(e016005): 1-37. doi:10.1111/jbi.14546
  18. 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
  19. 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
  20. 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