A taxonomic study of the Brazilian turtle ants (Formicidae: Myrmicinae: Cephalotes)

Abstract

We revise the taxonomy of species of the ant genus Cephalotes occurring in Brazil. Sixty-four species are recognized, distributed in 14 species groups. Five species are described as new: Cephalotes gabicamacho new species, Cephalotes marycorn new species, and Cephalotes monicaulyssea new species (angustus group); Cephalotes liviaprado new species (fiebrigi group); and Cephalotes mariadeandrade new species (pinelii group). The soldier and gyne of C. adolphi (angustus group), and the gyne and male of C. nilpiei (pinelii group) are described for the first time. Cephalotes marginatus is synonymized under C. atratus. The bruchi and the laminatus species groups are synonymized under fiebrigi and pusillus groups, respectively. The new species group manni is proposed, derived from the basalis species group. Distribution maps for each species in Brazil are provided. In addition, we provide an illustrated morphological glossary for the genus and illustrated identification keys for workers and soldiers for species groups and for all Brazilian species.

Preserving a Legacy: Ensuring the Access and Conservation of the Harold (Harry) G. Fowler (1950–2018) Ant Collection and Data

“…They were conducted through the direct observation of specimens under a stereoscopic microscope and comparison with specimens deposited at the MZSP. Some species were identified using published identification keys for genera, as follows: Acromyrmex Mayr, 1865 (Forti et al 2006;Forti et al 2022); Amoimyrmex Cristiano, Cardoso & Sandoval-Gómez, 2020(Cristiano et al 2020; Apterostigma Mayr, 1865(Lattke 1997; Atta Fabricius, 1804 (Gonçalves 1942); Azteca Forel, 1878 (Longino 2007); Brachymyrmex Mayr, 1868(Ortiz-Sepulveda et al 2019; Cephalotes Latreille, 1802 (Oliveira et al 2021); Crematogaster Lund, 1831 (Longino 2003); Dinoponera Roger, 1861 (Dias & Lattke 2021); Dorymyrmex Mayr, 1866 (Cuezzo et al 2011); Gnamptogenys Roger, 1863and Holcoponera Cameron, 1891(Camacho et al 2022; Hylomyrma Forel, 1912; Linepithema Mayr, 1866 (Wild 2007); Neoponera Emery, 1901(Fernandes et al 2014Troya & Lattke 2022); Nylanderia Emery, 1906(Kallal & Lapolla 2012; Odontomachus Latreille, 1804 (França 2021); Oxyepoecus Santschi, 1926b(Albuquerque & Brandão 2004; Pheidole group dilligens Westwood, 1839(Casadei-Ferreira et al 2020; Pheidole groups biconstricta, fallax, flavens, punctatissima and tristis (Wilson 2003); Pogonomyrmex Mayr, 1868 (Johnson 2015); Solenopsis Westwood, 1840 (Trager 1991;Pacheco & Mackay 2013;Pitts et al 2018);…”

The Diversity of Wolbachia across the Turtle Ants (Formicidae: Cephalotes spp.)

“…Cephalotes is an ant genus of 123 species located in the Americas, with the majority of species diversity found in Central and South America [23][24][25]. They are known as turtle ants due to the flat head that the soldier caste possesses, which is used to block the opening of the nest entrance.…”