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.