Taxonomic history
[Also noted as new by Emery, 1906c PDF: 166; nomen nudum.].Combination in Acromyrmex: Bruch, 1914 PDF: 216.Subspecies of Acromyrmex lundii: Santschi, 1912e PDF: 530; Bruch, 1914 PDF: 216; Gallardo, 1916e PDF: 333; Santschi, 1916e PDF: 386 (in key); Santschi, 1919f PDF: 51; Santschi, 1925a PDF: 397 (in key); Borgmeier, 1927c PDF: 133; Gonçalves, 1961 PDF: 152; Kempf, 1972b PDF: 13; Zolessi et al., 1988: 5; Bolton, 1995b: 56.Status as species: Wild, 2007b PDF: 30, 51.“Paraguay” (s. loc.) (MCSN, NHMB). Literature records: Pte. Hayes, “Paraguay” (s. loc.) (Emery 1905, Fowler 1985). NEW STATUS .
Atta (Acromyrmex) pubescens Emery 1905: 51. [w syntypes examined, MCSN , MHNG ; Paraguay ( Balzán )] .
Acromyrmex lundi var. pubescens (Emery) . Bruch 1914: 216.
Acromyrmex lundi st. pubescens (Emery) . Santschi 1916: 386.
Acromyrmex lundi pubescens (Emery) . Kempf 1972: 13.
Fowler (1985a) described the differing habitat associations of Acromyrmex lundii and Acromyrmex pubescens , noting that the former is found in open habitats and the latter in the patchy forest “islands” that occur in the chaco savannah. The two forms are sympatric and structurally similar, both bearing elongate lateral pronotal spines that are longer than the mesonotal spines. However, these ants are distinguishable in pubescence. Much of the integument of A. pubescens is covered in a dense decumbent pubescence while the integument of A. lundi is relatively bare. This difference is easiest to diagnose on the mesopleura, as the mesopleural pubescence of A. pubescens comprises overlapping hairs, while that of A. lundii is sparse and the hairs non-overlapping. Given the ecological and morphological differences in sympatry between these two forms, I elevate A. pubescens to species here.
Acromyrmex pubescens is a species of New World ants of the subfamily Myrmicinae of the genus Acromyrmex. They are native to Paraguay.
Like other members of the genus Acromyrmex and the closely related genus Atta, Acromyrmex pubescens are commonly known as "leafcutter ants".
A. pubescens has four pairs of spines and a rough exoskeleton, features which distinguish it and other members of the genus Acromyrmex from the genus Atta. The pair of front spines are longer than the pair of middle spines, similar to Acromyrmex lundii, but unlike A. lundii, A. pubescens is covered with dense sometimes overlapping fuzz on their bodies.
Acromyrmex pubescens were first described by the Italian entomologist Carlo Emery in 1905. They were originally classified as a subspecies of Acromyrmex lundii because of their structural similarity. They were named 'pubescens' (Latin for "downy") because of the presence of thick fuzzy hair that covers most of their bodies in contrast to the relatively bare A. lundii. A careful reexamination by the American entomologist Alexander L. Wild in 2007 resulted in their reclassification as a separate species.[1]
A. pubescens, like most leafcutter ants, subsist mostly through a mutualistic relationship with fungi of the genus Leucocoprinus. They cultivate the fungi with masticated leaves taken from nearby trees.[1] They are mostly found in isolated 'islands' of trees found in Paraguayan chaco savannahs.
Acromyrmex pubescens is a species of New World ants of the subfamily Myrmicinae of the genus Acromyrmex. They are native to Paraguay.
Acromyrmex pubescens is een mierensoort uit de onderfamilie van de Myrmicinae.[1][2] De wetenschappelijke naam van de soort is voor het eerst geldig gepubliceerd in 1905 door Emery.
Bronnen, noten en/of referenties
Acromyrmex pubescens là một loài kiến Tân Thế giới trong phân họ Myrmicinae, chi Acromyrmex. Chúng là loài bản địa của Paraguay.
Acromyrmex pubescens là một loài kiến Tân Thế giới trong phân họ Myrmicinae, chi Acromyrmex. Chúng là loài bản địa của Paraguay.
