Predation of a neonate caiman, Caiman latirostris (Daudin, 1802) by red fire ants Solenopsis sp. in Atlantic Forest, North-eastern Brazil

Ants of the genus Solenopsis are highlighted as the potential nest predators of many crocodilian species. During a study on the aspects of the natural history of the broad-snouted caiman in a protected area of Atlantic Rainforest in Pernambuco, North-eastern Brazil, a predation event was documented during nest visiting activities related to reproduction monitoring. The predation of a Caiman latirostris neonate by red fire ants Solenopsis sp. was observed, a dead neonate C. latirostris hatchling was found partially out of its shell, soon after hatching, still in the nest and covered in red fire ants.