Acromyrmex pubescens is a species of leafcutter ants of the subfamily Myrmicinae. They are native to Paraguay, northern Argentina, and eastern Brazil.[1]
| Acromyrmex pubescens | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Myrmicinae |
| Genus: | Acromyrmex |
| Species: | A. pubescens
|
| Binomial name | |
| Acromyrmex pubescens (Emery, 1905)
| |
Taxonomy
editAcromyrmex pubescens was first described as Atta (Acromyrmex) pubescens by the Italian entomologist Carlo Emery in 1905. Starting from Felix Santschi in 1912, subsequent studies have classified it as a subspecies of Acromyrmex lundii, until a reexamination in 2007 resulted in their reclassification as a separate species.[1][2] It is similar to A. lundii but has more pubescent integument.[2]
Ecology
editAcromyrmex 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.[3] They are mostly found in isolated 'islands' of trees found in chaco savannahs.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Species: Acromyrmex pubescens (Emery, 1905)". AntWeb. Version 8.106.1. California Academy of Science. 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
- ^ a b c Wild, Alexander L. (2007). "A catalogue of the ants of Paraguay (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)". Zootaxa. 1622 (1): 1–55. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.1622.1.1.
- ^ Bich, G.A.; Castrillo, M.L.; Villalba, L.L. & Zapata, P.D. (2017). "Isolation of the symbiotic fungus of Acromyrmex pubescens and phylogeny of Leucoagaricus gongylophorus from leaf-cutting ants". Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences. 24 (4): 851–856. doi:10.1016/j.sjbs.2016.05.010. hdl:11336/39767.