Acromyrmex pubescens
Encyclopedia
Acromyrmex pubescens is a species
of New World
ant
s of the subfamily Myrmicinae
of the genus
Acromyrmex. They are native to Paraguay
.
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 Acromyrmex genus 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.
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.
relationship with fungi of the genus Leucocoprinus
. They cultivate the fungi with masticated leaves taken from nearby trees. They are mostly found in isolated 'islands' of trees found in Paraguayan chaco savannahs
.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of New World
New World
The New World is one of the names used for the Western Hemisphere, specifically America and sometimes Oceania . The term originated in the late 15th century, when America had been recently discovered by European explorers, expanding the geographical horizon of the people of the European middle...
ant
Ant
Ants are social insects of the family Formicidae and, along with the related wasps and bees, belong to the order Hymenoptera. Ants evolved from wasp-like ancestors in the mid-Cretaceous period between 110 and 130 million years ago and diversified after the rise of flowering plants. More than...
s of the subfamily Myrmicinae
Myrmicinae
Myrmicinae is a subfamily of ants. There are about 140 genera within the group, with the family being cosmopolitan. The pupae lack cocoons. Some species retain a functional sting. The petioles of Myrmicinae consist of two nodes...
of the genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Acromyrmex. They are native to Paraguay
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
.
Description
Like other members of the genusGenus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Acromyrmex
Acromyrmex
Acromyrmex is a genus of New World ants of the subfamily Myrmicinae. It contains 31 known species.-Distribution:This genera is found in South America and parts of Central America and the Caribbean islands.-Overview:...
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 Acromyrmex genus from the genus Atta. The pair of front spines are longer than the pair of middle spines, similar to Acromyrmex lundii
Acromyrmex lundii
Acromyrmex lundii is a species of New World ants of the subfamily Myrmicinae of the genus Acromyrmex. It is found in the wild naturally in southern Brazil, Paraguay and northern Argentina.-Overview:...
, but unlike A. lundii, A. pubescens is covered with dense sometimes overlapping fuzz on their bodies.
Taxonomy
Acromyrmex pubescens were first described by the ItalianItalian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
entomologist Carlo Emery
Carlo Emery
Carlo Emery was an Italian entomologist.Born in Naples, Carlo Emery was professor of Zoology at the University of Bologna. He later worked in Geneva...
in 1905. They were originally classified as a subspecies
Subspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
of Acromyrmex lundii
Acromyrmex lundii
Acromyrmex lundii is a species of New World ants of the subfamily Myrmicinae of the genus Acromyrmex. It is found in the wild naturally in southern Brazil, Paraguay and northern Argentina.-Overview:...
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
People of the United States
The people of the United States, also known as simply Americans or American people, are the inhabitants or citizens of the United States. The United States is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds...
entomologist Alexander L. Wild in 2007 resulted in their reclassification as a separate species.
Ecology
A. pubescens, like most leafcutter ants, subsist mostly through a mutualisticMutualism
Mutualism is the way two organisms of different species biologically interact in a relationship in which each individual derives a fitness benefit . Similar interactions within a species are known as co-operation...
relationship with fungi of the genus Leucocoprinus
Leucocoprinus
Leucocoprinus is a genus of fungi in the family Agaricaceae. Its best known member is the yellow pot-plant mushroom , found worldwide. The type species is Leucocoprinus cepistipes...
. They cultivate the fungi with masticated leaves taken from nearby trees. They are mostly found in isolated 'islands' of trees found in Paraguayan chaco savannahs
Gran Chaco
The Gran Chaco is a sparsely populated, hot and semi-arid lowland region of the Río de la Plata basin, divided among eastern Bolivia, Paraguay, northern Argentina and a portion of the Brazilian states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, where it is connected with the Pantanal region...
.