Atta sexdens

AntWiki: The Ants --- Online
Atta sexdens
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Myrmicinae
Tribe: Attini
Genus: Atta
Species: A. sexdens
Binomial name
Atta sexdens
(Linnaeus, 1758)

Atta sexdens casent0173815 profile 1.jpg

Atta sexdens casent0173815 dorsal 1.jpg

Specimen labels

Synonyms
At a Glance • Diploid male  

Identification

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: 25.68015° to -64.3°.

       
North
Temperate
North
Subtropical
Tropical South
Subtropical
South
Temperate

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Neotropical Region: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela.

Distribution based on AntMaps

AntMapLegend.png

Distribution based on AntWeb specimens

Check data from AntWeb

Countries Occupied

Number of countries occupied by this species based on AntWiki Regional Taxon Lists. In general, fewer countries occupied indicates a narrower range, while more countries indicates a more widespread species.
pChart

Estimated Abundance

Relative abundance based on number of AntMaps records per species (this species within the purple bar). Fewer records (to the left) indicates a less abundant/encountered species while more records (to the right) indicates more abundant/encountered species.
pChart

Biology

Explore-icon.png Explore Fungus Growing 
For additional details see Fungus growing ants.

A handful of ant species (approx. 275 out of the known 15,000 species) have developed the ability to cultivate fungus within their nests. In most species the fungus is used as the sole food source for the larvae and is an important resource for the adults as well. Additionally, in a limited number of cases, the fungus is used to construct part of the nest structure but is not as a food source.

These fungus-feeding species are limited to North and South America, extending from the pine barrens of New Jersey, United States, in the north (Trachymyrmex septentrionalis) to the cold deserts in Argentina in the south (several species of Acromyrmex). Species that use fungi in nest construction are known from Europe and Africa (a few species in the genera Crematogaster, Lasius).


The details of fungal cultivation are rich and complex. First, a wide variety of materials are used as substrate for fungus cultivating. The so-called lower genera include species that prefer dead vegetation, seeds, flowers, fruits, insect corpses, and feces, which are collected in the vicinity of their nests. The higher genera include non leaf-cutting species that collect mostly fallen leaflets, fruit, and flowers, as well as the leafcutters that collect fresh leaves from shrubs and trees. Second, while the majority of fungi that are farmed by fungus-feeding ants belong to the family Lepiotaceae, mostly the genera Leucoagaricus and Leucocoprinus, other fungi are also involved. Some species utilise fungi in the family Tricholomataceae while a few others cultivate yeast. The fungi used by the higher genera no longer produce spores. Their fungi produce nutritious and swollen hyphal tips (gongylidia) that grow in bundles called staphylae, to specifically feed the ants. Finally, colony size varies tremendously among these ants. Lower taxa mostly live in inconspicuous nests with 100–1000 individuals and relatively small fungus gardens. Higher taxa, in contrast, live in colonies made of 5–10 million ants that live and work within hundreds of interconnected fungus-bearing chambers in huge subterranean nests. Some colonies are so large, they can be seen from satellite photos, measuring up to 600 m3.

Based on these habits, and taking phylogenetic information into consideration, these ants can be divided into six biologically distinct agricultural systems (with a list of genera involved in each category):

Nest Construction

A limited number of species that use fungi in the construction of their nests.

Lower Agriculture

Practiced by species in the majority of fungus-feeding genera, including those thought to retain more primitive features, which cultivate a wide range of fungal species in the tribe Leucocoprineae.

Coral Fungus Agriculture

Practiced by species in the Apterostigma pilosum species-group, which cultivate fungi within the Pterulaceae.

Yeast Agriculture

Practiced by species within the Cyphomyrmex rimosus species-group, which cultivate a distinct clade of leucocoprineaceous fungi derived from the lower attine fungi.

Generalized Higher Agriculture

Practiced by species in several genera of non-leaf-cutting "higher attine" ants, which cultivate a distinct clade of leucocoprineaceous fungi separately derived from the lower attine fungi.

Leaf-Cutter Agriculture

A subdivision of higher attine agriculture practiced by species within several ecologically dominant genera, which cultivate a single highly derived species of higher attine fungus.

Note that the farming habits of Mycetagroicus (4 species) are unknown. Also, while species of Pseudoatta (2 species) are closely related to the fungus-feeding genus Acromyrmex, they are social parasites, living in the nests of their hosts and are not actively involved in fungus growing. ‎

Travaglin et al. 2015 (Abstract): Foraging behavior of leaf cutting ants: How do workers search for their food? Forager ants search for adequate food sources in nature and, after their discovery, they decide whether the source is suitable or not for the colony. However, we asked “How do workers seek out the substrate for cultivation of the symbiontic fungus on which they feed? To answer this question, we evaluated the distance traveled by individual workers in the search of food and the distance traveled to return to the nest, as well as the time and velocity necessary for these activities. The results showed that the distance traveled by the leaf cutting ant, Atta sexdens rubropilosa, in the search of food was greater than the distance traveled to return with the substrate to the colony. On the other hand, the mean time and velocity were similar for food search and return to the colony. These results support the hypothesis of information transfer, according to which the worker needs to return to the nest at the beginning of foraging to transfer information to other workers and thus to establish the process of worker ant foraging. It can be concluded that workers travel large distances in a random manner until finding their substrate, but the return to the nest is efficient considering the shorter distance traveled.

Viera et al. (2015) - Queens of leaf-cutting ants found their nests singly, each consisting of a vertical tunnel and a final horizontal chamber. Because of the claustral mode of nest founding, the queen and/or her initial fungus garden are exposed to threats imposed by several soil pathogens, and the antibiotic secretions produced by their metapleural glands are considered a main adaptation to deal with them. Nests of two Atta leafcutting ant species, Atta vollenweideri and Atta sexdens rubropilosa, occur in different soil types, alfisols and oxisols. Their queens are known to excavate the initial nest in different soil horizons, clayish and organic, respectively, which differ in their fertility and associated microbiota. The results revealed that metapleural glands of A. sexdens rubropilosa have a larger number of secretory cells, and consequently a higher production of antibiotic secretions, which may have been selected to allow nest founding at the superficial horizon of oxisols rich in organic matter and microorganisms. Glands of A. vollenweideri, on the contrary, presented fewer secretory cells, suggesting less production of antibiotic secretions. We argue that the excavation of deep founding nests in A. vollenweideri was primarily selected for during evolution to avoid the risk posed by flooding, and further hypothesize that a reduced number of cells in their metapleural glands occurred because of a weak pathogen-driven selective pressure at the preferred soil depth.

Dambros et al. (2018) - Atta sexdens was collected via arboreal fogging in an inundated northern Pantanal (Mato Grasso, Brazil) cambarazal forest. The seasonally flooded forest was dominated by Vochysia divergens Pohl. (Vochysiaceae). This presumably soil/ground dwelling A. sexdens was putatively driven into the trees by the seasonally high water.

Dijkstra and Boomsma (2006) investigated the viability of worker produced eggs in Atta cephalotes, Atta sexdens and Atta colombica. Most Atta workers have rudimentary, non-functional ovaries in a queenright colony but a few, typically tending the queen, can produce trophic eggs (Dijkstra et al., 2005). These eggs are feed to the queen. It was not known if any worker eggs can produce males. No Atta sexdens eggs developed into males. They found Atta workers are not completely infertile, as a few males were found in experimentally orphaned A. colombica colonies, but worker fertility is very low. They hypothesize that worker reproduction in orphaned Atta field colonies is almost never successful because the last workers die before their sons can be raised to adulthood, but the importance of worker-laid trophic eggs for queen feeding has precluded the evolutionary loss of worker ovaries.

Association with Other Organisms

Explore-icon.png Explore: Show all Associate data or Search these data. See also a list of all data tables or learn how data is managed.
  • Eidmann (1937) - The springtail species Seira edmanni (Stach) (Seiridae) is known from nests of this ant.
  • This species is a host for the phorid fly Apocephalus attophilus (a parasite) (Farder-Gomes et al., 2020).
  • This species is a host for the phorid fly Eibesfeldtphora tonhascai (a parasite) (Farder-Gomes et al., 2020; Souza & Pereira, 2020) (Souza & Pereira, 2020 - genus-level identification only).
  • This species is a host for the phorid fly Myrmosicarius (a parasite) (Souza & Pereira, 2020) (very rare).
  • This species is a host for the phorid fly Neodohrniphora sp. (a parasite) (Braganca et al., 1998).
  • This species is a associate (details unknown) for the phorid fly Apterophora attophila (a associate (details unknown)) (Quevillon, 2018).
  • This species is a associate (details unknown) for the phorid fly Apterophora borgmeieri (a associate (details unknown)) (Quevillon, 2018).
  • This species is a associate (details unknown) for the phorid fly Apterophora bragancai (a associate (details unknown)) (Quevillon, 2018).
  • This species is a associate (details unknown) for the phorid fly Homalophora attae (a associate (details unknown)) (Quevillon, 2018).
  • This species is a host for the phorid fly Allochaeta excedens (a parasitoid) (Quevillon, 2018) (encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest).
  • This species is a host for the phorid fly Apocephalus vicosae (a parasitoid) (Quevillon, 2018) (encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest).
  • This species is a host for the phorid fly Eibesfeldtphora trifurcata (a parasitoid) (Quevillon, 2018) (encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest).
  • This species is a host for the phorid fly Myrmosicarius crudelis (a parasitoid) (Quevillon, 2018) (encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest).
  • This species is a host for the phorid fly Myrmosicarius grandicornis (a parasitoid) (Quevillon, 2018) (encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest).
  • This species is a host for the phorid fly Neodohrniphora acromyrmecis (a parasitoid) (Quevillon, 2018) (encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest).
  • This species is a host for the phorid fly Neodohrniphora acromyrmecis (a parasitoid) (Quevillon, 2018) (encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest).
  • This species is a host for the phorid fly Neodohrniphora curvinervis (a parasitoid) (Quevillon, 2018) (encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest).
  • This species is a host for the phorid fly Neodohrniphora declinata (a parasitoid) (Quevillon, 2018) (encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest).
  • This species is a host for the phorid fly Neodohrniphora declinata (a parasitoid) (Quevillon, 2018) (encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest).
  • This species is a host for the phorid fly Neodohrniphora elongata (a parasitoid) (Quevillon, 2018) (encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest).
  • This species is a host for the phorid fly Neodohrniphora tonhascai (a parasitoid) (Quevillon, 2018) (encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest).
  • This species is a prey for the phorid fly Dohrniphora fuscicoxa (a predator) (Quevillon, 2018).
  • This species is a prey for the phorid fly Dohrniphora paraguayana (a predator) (Quevillon, 2018).
  • This species is a host for the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (a parasitoid) (Quevillon, 2018) (encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission within nest).

Impact of Phorid Flies on Foraging Activity

Braganca et al. (1998): Females of the parasitic phorid Neodohrniphora sp. were collected in the field and released singly inside an observation chamber placed between a laboratory colony of Atta sexdens and its foraging arena. The number and speed of loaded and unloaded ants returning to the nest, the weight of foragers and their loads, the number of leaf fragments abandoned by ants, and the number of small workers ‘hitchhiking’ on leaf fragments were measured before phorids were released, while they were in the observation chamber, and after they were removed. Relatively fewants were attacked by Neodohrniphora sp., but the presence of flies prompted outbound ants to return to the nest and caused a significant reduction on the number and mass of foragers. Additionally, the weight of leaf fragments transported by ants was reduced and the number of abandoned fragments increased in response to Neodohrniphora sp. Presence of the parasitoid caused no significant changes in the number of hitchhiking ants. The regular ants’ traffic was resumed after phorids were removed, but foraging activity remained below normal for up to three hours. In the field A. sexdens forages mostly at night, but colonies undergo periods of diurnal foraging during which ants are subject to parasitism from several species of phorid flies. Considering that daytime foraging may be necessary for nutritional or metabolical needs, phorids may have a significant impact on their hosts by altering their foraging behavior regardless of the numerical values of parasitism.

Life History Traits

  • Mean colony size: 5,000,000 (Riley et al., 1974; Beckers et al., 1989)
  • Foraging behaviour: mass recruiter (Riley et al., 1974; Beckers et al., 1989)

Castes

Images from AntWeb

Atta sexdens casent0173816 profile 1.jpgAtta sexdens casent0173816 dorsal 1.jpgAtta sexdens casent0173816 label 1.jpg
Worker. Specimen code casent0173816. Photographer April Nobile, uploaded by California Academy of Sciences. Owned by ALWC, Alex L. Wild Collection.
Atta sexdens casent0173817 head 1.jpgAtta sexdens casent0173817 profile 1.jpgAtta sexdens casent0173817 dorsal 1.jpgAtta sexdens casent0173817 label 1.jpg
Worker. Specimen code casent0173817. Photographer April Nobile, uploaded by California Academy of Sciences. Owned by ALWC, Alex L. Wild Collection.
Atta sexdens casent0178706 head 1.jpgAtta sexdens casent0178706 profile 1.jpgAtta sexdens casent0178706 dorsal 1.jpgAtta sexdens casent0178706 label 1.jpg
Worker. Specimen code casent0178706. Photographer April Nobile, uploaded by California Academy of Sciences. Owned by MIZA, Maracay, Venezuela.

Phylogeny

Atta

Atta mexicana

Atta insularis

Atta texana

Atta cephalotes

Atta colombica

Atta robusta

Atta sexdens

Atta saltensis

Atta vollenweideri

Atta bisphaerica

Atta goiana

Atta laevigata

Atta capiguara

Atta opaciceps

Based on Barrera, C.A. et al., 2021. Note that only selected species are included.

Nomenclature

The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.

  • sexdens. Formica sexdens Linnaeus, 1758: 581 (w) (no state data, “Habitat in America meridionali").
    • [Note: type-locality Suriname, after De Geer, 1773: 608.]
    • [Misspelled as sexdentata by Latreille, 1802c: 228, Smith, F. 1858b: 183; frequently misspelled as 6dens in early literature.]
    • Mayr, 1865: 82 (q.m.); Wheeler, G.C. 1949: 681 (l.).
    • Combination in Oecodoma: Latreille, 1818b: 225; Smith, F. 1858b: 183; Mayr, 1863: 438;
    • combination in Atta: Fabricius, 1804: 422; Roger, 1863b: 35; Mayr, 1865: 80;
    • combination in Atta (Neoatta): Gonçalves, 1942: 349.
    • Status as species: Linnaeus, 1767: 964; De Geer, 1773: 608; Fabricius, 1775: 395; Fabricius, 1782: 493; Retzius, 1783: 76; Fabricius, 1787: 310; Gmelin, 1790: 2802; Christ, 1791: 515; Olivier, 1792: 500; Fabricius, 1793: 363; Latreille, 1802c: 228; Fabricius, 1804: 422; Latreille, 1818b: 225; Smith, F. 1858b: 183; Smith, F. 1862b: 34; Roger, 1863b: 35; Mayr, 1863: 438; Mayr, 1865: 80, 82 (redescription); Emery, 1878a: x (in list); Mayr, 1884: 37; Emery, 1888c: 357; Emery, 1890a: 66; Cameron, 1891: 95; Dalla Torre, 1893: 154; von Jhering, 1894: 386; Forel, 1895b: 138; Emery, 1896h: 626; Forel, 1899c: 31; Forel, 1899d: 273; Forel, 1905b: 157; Wheeler, W.M. 1905b: 130; Emery, 1906c: 167; Forel, 1907e: 2; Forel, 1908e: 69; Forel, 1909a: 266; Emery, 1913b: 259; Stitz, 1913: 207; Bruch, 1914: 216; Mann, 1916: 453; Wheeler, W.M. 1916c: 11; Wheeler, W.M. 1923a: 4; Emery, 1924d: 354; Wheeler, W.M. 1925a: 36; Borgmeier, 1927c: 137; Eidmann, 1936b: 87; Borgmeier, 1939: 424; Gonçalves, 1942: 349; Weber, 1946b: 165; Gonçalves, 1947a: 185; Borgmeier, 1950d: 251; Borgmeier, 1959b: 358 (redescription); Kempf, 1972a: 27; Cherrett & Cherrett, 1989: 54; Bolton, 1995b: 77; Wild, 2007b: 31; Bezděčková, et al. 2015: 115; Fernández, et al. 2015: 160 (redescription); Fernández & Serna, 2019: 842.
    • Senior synonym of abdominalis: Mayr, 1865: 80; Dalla Torre, 1893: 154; Forel, 1899c: 32; Emery, 1924d: 355; Borgmeier, 1927c: 137; Borgmeier, 1959b: 359; Kempf, 1972a: 28; Bolton, 1995b: 77; Fernández, et al. 2015: 160.
    • Senior synonym of autuorii: Borgmeier, 1959b: 359; Bolton, 1995b: 77; Fernández, et al. 2015: 160.
    • Senior synonym of coptophylla: Mayr, 1865: 80; Dalla Torre, 1893: 154; Forel, 1895b: 138; Forel, 1899c: 32; Emery, 1924d: 355; Borgmeier, 1927c: 137; Borgmeier, 1959b: 359; Kempf, 1972a: 28; Bolton, 1995b: 77; Fernández, et al. 2015: 160.
    • Senior synonym of flavicornis: Forel, 1905b: 161; Emery, 1924d: 354; Borgmeier, 1927c: 137; Borgmeier, 1959b: 359; Kempf, 1972a: 28; Bolton, 1995b: 77; Fernández, et al. 2015: 160.
    • Senior synonym of fuscata: Borgmeier, 1959b: 359; Kempf, 1972a: 28; Bolton, 1995b: 77; Fernández, et al. 2015: 160.
    • Senior synonym of lugens: Borgmeier, 1959b: 359; Bolton, 1995b: 77.
    • Senior synonym of piriventris: Borgmeier, 1959b: 359; Bolton, 1995b: 77; Fernández, et al. 2015: 160.
    • Senior synonym of rubropilosa: Borgmeier, 1959b: 359; Bolton, 1995b: 77; Fernández, et al. 2015: 160.
  • abdominalis. Oecodoma abdominalis Smith, F. 1858b: 184, pl. 10, fig. 22 (q.) (no state data, "various parts of South America").
    • Combination in Atta: Roger, 1863b: 35.
    • Status as species: Roger, 1863b: 35; Mayr, 1863: 437.
    • Junior synonym of sexdens: Mayr, 1865: 80; Dalla Torre, 1893: 154; Forel, 1899c: 32; Emery, 1924d: 355; Borgmeier, 1927c: 137; Borgmeier, 1959b: 359; Kempf, 1972a: 28; Bolton, 1995b: 75; Fernández, et al. 2015: 160.
  • autuorii. Atta (Neoatta) sexdens subsp. autuorii Borgmeier, 1950d: 253, figs. 32-34 (w.q.m.) BRAZIL (São Paulo).
    • Junior synonym of piriventris: Kempf, 1972a: 28 (error?).
    • Junior synonym of sexdens: Borgmeier, 1959b: 359; Bolton, 1995b: 75; Fernández, et al. 2015: 160.
  • coptophylla. Atta coptophylla Guérin-Méneville, 1844a: 422 (w.) BRAZIL (no state data).
    • [Misspelled as coctophylla by Borgmeier, 1927c: 137.]
    • Combination in Oecodoma: Smith, F. 1858b: 184; Mayr, 1863: 437;
    • combination in Atta: Roger, 1863b: 35.
    • Status as species: Smith, F. 1858b: 184; Roger, 1863b: 35; Mayr, 1863: 437.
    • Junior synonym of sexdens: Mayr, 1865: 80; Dalla Torre, 1893: 154; Forel, 1895b: 138; Forel, 1899c: 32; Emery, 1924d: 355; Borgmeier, 1927c: 137; Borgmeier, 1959b: 359; Kempf, 1972a: 28; Bolton, 1995b: 76; Fernández, et al. 2015: 160.
  • flavicornis. Formica flavicornis Fabricius, 1789: 280 (q.) FRENCH GUIANA.
    • Combination in Ponera: Lepeletier de Saint-Fargeau, 1835: 190;
    • combination in Pachycondyla: Mayr, 1862: 721.
    • Status as species: Latreille, 1802c: 202; Fabricius, 1804: 408; Lepeletier de Saint-Fargeau, 1835: 190.
    • [Note: F. flavicornis Fabricius was misinterpreted as a ponerine by Latreille, 1802c: 202, pl. 7, figs. 42B, 43. Because of this, flavicornis (Fabricius) incorrectly appears in combination in Ponera: Lepeletier de Saint-Fargeau, 1835: 190, Smith, F. 1858b: 95, Roger, 1861a: 6; and also incorrectly in Pachycondyla: Mayr, 1862: 721, Roger, 1863b: 18, Mayr, 1863: 439, Emery, 1890a: 58, 73 (in key), Emery, 1890b: 42, Dalla Torre, 1893: 33, Emery, 1894k: 48; Forel, 1895b: 114, Emery, 1896b: 1; Forel, 1899c: 10.]
    • Junior synonym of sexdens: Forel, 1905b: 161; Emery, 1924d: 354; Borgmeier, 1927c: 137; Borgmeier, 1959b: 359; Kempf, 1972a: 28; Bolton, 1995b: 76; Fernández, et al. 2015: 160.
  • fuscata. Atta sexdens var. fuscata Santschi, 1922b: 362 (w.) BOLIVIA.
    • Subspecies of sexdens: Weber, 1938b: 205; Borgmeier, 1939: 422 (in list); Gonçalves, 1942: 350; Gonçalves, 1947a: 185; Borgmeier, 1950d: 243.
    • Junior synonym of sexdens: Borgmeier, 1959b: 359; Kempf, 1972a: 28; Bolton, 1995b: 76; Fernández, et al. 2015: 160.
  • lugens. Atta vollenweideri var. lugens Borgmeier, 1939: 424, fig. 19 (w.) BRAZIL (Santa Catarina).
    • Junior synonym of piriventris: Gonçalves, 1942: 351; Kempf, 1972a: 28 (error?).
    • Junior synonym of sexdens: Borgmeier, 1959b: 359; Bolton, 1995b: 77.
  • piriventris. Atta vollenweideri var. piriventris Santschi, 1919f: 50 (w.) ARGENTINA (Chaco).
    • Subspecies of vollenweideri: Santschi, 1922b: 363 (in key); Borgmeier, 1939: 423 (in list).
    • Subspecies of sexdens: Gonçalves, 1942: 351; Gonçalves, 1947a: 195; Borgmeier, 1950d: 252; Kempf, 1972a: 28 (error?); Zolessi, et al. 1988: 5 (error); Brandão, 1991: 328 (error).
    • Junior synonym of sexdens: Borgmeier, 1959b: 359; Bolton, 1995b: 76; Fernández, et al. 2015: 160.
  • rubropilosa. Atta sexdens var. rubropilosa Forel, 1908c: 348 (w.q.m.) BRAZIL (São Paulo).
    • As unavailable (infrasubspecific) name: Emery, 1913b: 259.
    • Subspecies of sexdens: Forel, 1909a: 257; Forel, 1911c: 290; Gallardo, 1916d: 340; Santschi, 1916e: 389; Luederwaldt, 1918: 38; Forel, 1921a: 204; Santschi, 1922b: 363; Emery, 1924d: 355; Wheeler, W.M. 1925a: 36; Borgmeier, 1927c: 137; Santschi, 1929f: 93; Weber, 1938b: 205; Borgmeier, 1939: 424; Gonçalves, 1942: 350; Gonçalves, 1947a: 187; Borgmeier, 1950d: 252; Kempf, 1972a: 28 (error?); Zolessi, et al. 1988: 5 (error); Brandão, 1991: 328 (error).
    • Junior synonym of sexdens: Borgmeier, 1959b: 359; Bolton, 1995b: 77; Fernández, et al. 2015: 160.

Taxonomic Notes

Gusmao et al. (2001) treat Atta sexdens rubropilosa as a subspecies of A. sexdans rather than as a synonym, but provide no justification for this change and their proposal is not followed here.

Description

Karyotype

  • 2n = 22, karyotype = 12M+6SM+4A (Brazil) (Fadini & Pompolo, 1996; SantosColares et al., 1997; Barros et al., 2014).
  • 2n = 22, karyotype = 18M+2SM+2ST (Brazil, French Guiana) (Aguiar et al., 2020).
  • 2n = 22, karyotype = 18M + 4A (Brazil) (de Castro et al., 2020).

References

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

  • Araujo Castilho G., F. Barbosa Noll, E. R. da Silva, and E. F. dos Santos. 2011. Diversidade de Formicidae (Hymenoptera) em um fragmento de Floresta Estacional Semidecídua no Noroeste do estado de São Paulo, Brasil. R. bras. Bioci., Porto Alegre 9(2): 224-230.
  • Arnan X., G. B. Arcoverde, M. R. Pie, J. D. Ribeiro-Neto, and I. R. Leal. Increased anthropogenic disturbance and aridity reduce phylogenetic and functional diversity of ant communities in Caatinga dry forest. Science of the Total Environment 631–632: 429–438.
  • Astruc C., J. F. Julien, C. Errard, and A. Lenoir. 2004. Phylogeny of ants based on morphology and DNA sequence data. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 31: 880-893.
  • Augustin, J.O., J.F.L. Santos and S.L. Elliot. 2011. A behavioral repertoire of Atta sexdens (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) queens during the claustral founding and ergonomic stages. Insectes Sociaux 58:197-206
  • Biagiotti G., J. A. Alves Pereira, C. Rodrigues Ribas, V. Korasaki, R. Zanetti, A. C. Medeiros de Queiroz. 2013. Richness and species composition of ants in the recovery process of a Gully erosion. Cerne, Lavras 19(4): 661-668.
  • Bieber A. G. D., O. P. G. Darrault, C. da Costa Ramos, K. K. Melo, and I. R. Leal. 2006. Formigas. p.244-262. In Porto K L, Tabarelli M, Almeida-Cortez J (eds) Diversidade biológica e conservação da Floresta Atlântica ao norte do rio São Francisco. Recife, Editora Universitária da UFPE, 363p
  • Borgmeier T. 1939. Nova contribuição para o conhecimento das formigas neotropicas (Hym. Formicidae). Revista de Entomologia (Rio de Janeiro) 10: 403-428.
  • Borgmeier T. 1950. Atta-Studien (Hym. Formicidae). Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Rio de Janeiro 48: 265-292.
  • Borgmeier T. 1950. Estudos sôbre Atta (Hym. Formicidae). Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Rio de Janeiro 48: 239-263.
  • Brandao, C.R.F. 1991. Adendos ao catalogo abreviado das formigas da regiao neotropical (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Rev. Bras. Entomol. 35: 319-412.
  • Bruch C. 1914. Catálogo sistemático de los formícidos argentinos. Revista del Museo de La Plata 19: 211-234.
  • Caldart V. M., S. Iop, J. A. Lutinski, and F. R. Mello Garcia. 2012. Ants diversity (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) of the urban perimeter of Chapecó county, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Zoociências 14 (1, 2, 3): 81-94.
  • Christianini A. V., A. J. Mayhé-Nunes, and P. S. Oliveira. 2012. Exploitation of Fallen Diaspores By Ants: Are There Ant-Plant Partner Choices? Biotropica 44: 360-367.
  • Christianini A. V., and P. S. Oliveira. 2009. The relevance of ants as seed rescuers of a primarily bird-dispersed tree in the neotropical cerrado savanna. Oecologia 160: 735–745.
  • Christianini A. V., and P. S. Oliveira. 2013. Edge effects decrease ant-derived benefits to seedlings in a neotropical savanna. Arthropod-Plant Interactions 7: 191-199.
  • Coelho M. S., G. W. Fernandes, J. C. Santos, and J. H. C. Delabie. 2009. Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) as bioindicators of land restoration in a Brazilian Atlantic forest fragment. Sociobiology 54(1): 51-63.
  • Corassa J. N., I. C. Magistrali, J. C. Moreno, E. B. Cantarelli, and A. Corassa. Effect of formicid granulated baits on non-target ants biodiversity in eucalyptus plantations litter. Comunicata Scientiae 4(1): 35-42.
  • Correa M. M., A. G. D. Bieber, R. Wirth, and I. R. Leal. 2005. Occurrence of Atta cephalotes (L.) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Alagoas, Northeastern Brazil. Neotropical Entomology 34(4): 695-698.
  • Correa M. M., W. D. Fernandes, and I. R. Leal. 2006. Ant Diversity (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Capões in Brazilian Pantanal: Relationship between Species Richness and Structural Complexity. Neotropical Entomology 35(6): 724-730.
  • Costa, A.N., H.L. Vasconcelos, E.H.M. Vieira-Neto and E.M. Bruna. 2008. Do herbivores exert top-down effects in Neotropical savannas? Estimates of biomass consumption by leaf-cutter ants. Journal of Vegetation Science 19(6):849-854.
  • Costa-Milanez C. B., G. Lourenco-Silva, P. T. A. Castro, J. D. Majer, and S. P. Ribeiro. 2014. Are ant assemblages of Brazilian veredas characterised by location or habitat type? Braz. J. Biol. 74(1): 89-99.
  • Cuezzo, F. 1998. Formicidae. Chapter 42 in Morrone J.J., and S. Coscaron (dirs) Biodiversidad de artropodos argentinos: una perspectiva biotaxonomica Ediciones Sur, La Plata. Pages 452-462.
  • Dattilo W., N. Sibinel, J. C. F. Falcao, and R. V. Nunes. 2011. Ant fauna in a urban remnant of Atlantic forest in the municipuality of Marilia, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Bioscience Journal 27(3): 494-504.
  • Delabie J. H. C., R. Céréghino, S. Groc, A. Dejean, M. Gibernau, B. Corbara, and A. Dejean. 2009. Ants as biological indicators of Wayana Amerindian land use in French Guiana. Comptes Rendus Biologies 332(7): 673-684.
  • Dias N. S., R. Zanetti, M. S. Santos, J. Louzada, and J. H. C. Delabie. 2008. Interaction between forest fragments and adjacent coffee and pasture agroecosystems: responses of the ant communities (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Iheringia, Sér. Zool., Porto Alegre, 98(1): 136-142.
  • Diehl-Fleig E. 2014. Termites and Ants from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Sociobiology (in Press).
  • Drose W., L. R. Podgaiski, C. Fagundes Dias, M. de Souza Mendonca. 2019. Local and regional drivers of ant communities in forest-grassland ecotones in South Brazil: A taxonomic and phylogenetic approach. Plos ONE 14(4): e0215310.
  • Emery C. 1890. Voyage de M. E. Simon au Venezuela (Décembre 1887 - Avril 1888). Formicides. Annales de la Société Entomologique de France (6)10: 55-76.
  • Emery C. 1896. Formiciden, gesammelt in Paraguay von Dr. J. Bohls. Zoologische Jahrbücher. Abteilung für Systematik, Geographie und Biologie der Tiere 9: 625-638.
  • Emery C. 1906. Studi sulle formiche della fauna neotropica. XXVI. Bullettino della Società Entomologica Italiana 37: 107-194.
  • Escalante Gutiérrez J. A. 1993. Especies de hormigas conocidas del Perú (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Revista Peruana de Entomología 34:1-13.
  • Escalante J. A. 1975. Hormigas de la Provincia de la Convencionm Cusco. Revista Peruana de Entomologia 18:125-126.
  • Farji Brener A. G., and A. Ruggiero. 1994. Leaf-cutting ants (Atta and Acromyrmex) inhabiting Argentina: patterns in species richness and geographical range sizes. Journal of Biogeography 21(4): 391-399.
  • Favretto M. A., E. Bortolon dos Santos, and C. J. Geuster. 2013. Entomofauna from West of Santa Catarina State, South of Brazil. EntomoBrasilis 6 (1): 42-63.
  • Fernandes I., and J. de Souza. 2018. Dataset of long-term monitoring of ground-dwelling ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the influence areas of a hydroelectric power plant on the Madeira River in the Amazon Basin. Biodiversity Data Journal 6: e24375.
  • Fernández, F. and S. Sendoya. 2004. Lista de las hormigas neotropicales. Biota Colombiana Volume 5, Number 1.
  • Fjerdingstad, E.J. and J.J. Boomsma. 2000. Queen mating frequency and relatedness in young Atta sexdens colonies. Insectes Sociaux 47:354-356
  • Fleck M. D., E. Bisognin Cantarelli, and F. Granzotto. 2015. Register of new species of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Rio Grande do Sul state. Ciencia Florestal, Santa Maria 25(2): 491-499.
  • Forel A. 1907. Formiciden aus dem Naturhistorischen Museum in Hamburg. II. Teil. Neueingänge seit 1900. Mitt. Naturhist. Mus. Hambg. 24: 1-20.
  • Forel A. 1908. Ameisen aus Sao Paulo (Brasilien), Paraguay etc. gesammelt von Prof. Herm. v. Ihering, Dr. Lutz, Dr. Fiebrig, etc. Verhandlungen der Kaiserlich-Königlichen Zoologisch-Botanischen Gesellschaft in Wien 58: 340-418.
  • Forel A. 1908. Catálogo systemático da collecção de formigas do Ceará. Boletim do Museu Rocha 1(1): 62-69.
  • Forel A. 1909. Ameisen aus Guatemala usw., Paraguay und Argentinien (Hym.). Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 1909: 239-269.
  • Forel A. 1911. Ameisen des Herrn Prof. v. Ihering aus Brasilien (Sao Paulo usw.) nebst einigen anderen aus Südamerika und Afrika (Hym.). Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 1911: 285-312.
  • Fowler H. G. 1985. Leaf-cutting ants of the genera Atta and Acromyrmex of Paraguay (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) Dtsch. Ent. Z., N. F. 32(1-3): 19-34.
  • Franco W. 2018. Riqueza e diversidade de formigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) nos campos naturais paranaenses. Mphil Thesis Universidade Federal do Parana, 59 pages.
  • Franco W., N. Ladino, J. H. C. Delabie, A. Dejean, J. Orivel, M. Fichaux, S. Groc, M. Leponce, and R. M. Feitosa. 2019. First checklist of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of French Guiana. Zootaxa 4674(5): 509-543.
  • Gallardo A. 1916. Notes systématiques et éthologiques sur les fourmis attines de la République Argentine. Anales del Museo Nacional de Historia Natural de Buenos Aires 28: 317-344.
  • Gallego-Ropero M.C., R.M. Feitosa & J.R. Pujol-Luz, 2013. Formigas (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) Associadas a Ninhos de Cornitermes cumulans Kollar (Isoptera, Termitidae) no Cerrado do Planalto Central do Brasil. EntomoBrasilis, 6(1): 97-101.
  • Gomes E. C. F., G. T. Ribeiro, T. M. S. Souza, and L. Sousa-Souto. 2014. Ant assemblages (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in three different stages of forest regeneration in a fragment of Atlantic Forest in Sergipe, Brazil. Sociobiology 61(3): 250-257.
  • Gonçalves C. R. 1942. Contribuiça~o para o conhecimento do gênero Atta Fabr., das formigas saúvas. Bol. Soc. Bras. Agron. 5: 333-358.
  • Gonçalves C. R. 1947. Saúvas do sul e centro do Brasil. Bol. Fitossanit. 2: 183-218.
  • Ilha C., J. A. Lutinski, D. Von Muller Pereira, F. R. Mello Garcia. 2009. Riqueza de formigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) de Bacia da Sanga Caramuru, municipio de Chapeco-SC. Biotemas 22(4): 95-105.
  • Iop S., V. M. Caldart, J. A. Lutinski, and F. R. Mello Garcia. 2009. Formigas urbanas da cidade de Xanxerê, Santa Catarina, Brasil. Biotemas 22(2): 55-64.
  • Junquiera, L.K., E. Diehl and E. Diehl-Fleig. 2001. Formigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Visitantes de Ilex paraguariensis (Aquifoliaceae). Neotropical Entomology 30(1):161-164.
  • Kamura, C.M., M.S.C. Morini, C.J. Figueiredo, O.C. Bueno, and A.E.C. Campos-Farinha. 2007. Comunidades de formigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) em um ecossistema urbano próximo à Mata Atlântica. Brazilian Journal of Biology 67(4): 635-641
  • Kempf, W.W. 1972. Catalago abreviado das formigas da regiao Neotropical (Hym. Formicidae) Studia Entomologica 15(1-4).
  • Kooij P. W., B. M. Dentinger, D. A. Donoso, J. Z. Shik, and E. Gaya. 2018. Cryptic diversity in Colombian edible leaf-cutting ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Insects 9: 191.
  • Kusnezov N. 1953. La fauna mirmecológica de Bolivia. Folia Universitaria. Cochabamba 6: 211-229.
  • Kusnezov N. 1978. Hormigas argentinas: clave para su identificación. Miscelánea. Instituto Miguel Lillo 61:1-147 + 28 pl.
  • Lapola D. M., and H. G. Fowler. 2008. Questioning the implementation of habitat corridors: a case study in interior São Paulo using ants as bioindicators. Braz. J. Biol., 68(1): 11-20.
  • Luederwaldt H. 1918. Notas myrmecologicas. Rev. Mus. Paul. 10: 29-64.
  • Lutinski J. A., B. C. Lopes, and A. B. B.de Morais. 2013. Diversidade de formigas urbanas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) de dez cidades do sul do Brasil. Biota Neotrop. 13(3): 332-342.
  • Lutinski J. A., F. R. Mello Garcia, C. J. Lutinska, and S. Iop. 2008. Ants diversity in Floresta Nacional de Chapecó in Santa Catarina State, Brazil. Ciência Rural, Santa Maria 38(7): 1810-1816.
  • Majer J. D., and J. H. C. Delabie. 1994. Comparison of the ant communities of annually inundated and terra firme forests at Trombetas in the Brazilian Amazon. Insectes Sociaux 41: 343-359.
  • Mann W. M. 1916. The Stanford Expedition to Brazil, 1911, John C. Branner, Director. The ants of Brazil. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 60: 399-490
  • Marinho C. G. S., R. Zanetti, J. H. C. Delabie, M. N. Schlindwein, and L. de S. Ramos. 2002. Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Diversity in Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) Plantations and Cerrado Litter in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Neotropical Entomology 31(2): 187-195.
  • Marques G. D. V., and K. Del-Claro. 2006. The Ant Fauna in a Cerrado area: The Influence of Vegetation Structure and Seasonality (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Sociobiology 47(1): 1-18.
  • Menozzi C. 1926. Neue Ameisen aus Brasilien. Zoologischer Anzeiger. 69: 68-72.
  • Mentone T. O., E. A. Diniz, C. B. Munhae, O. C. Bueno, and M. S. C. Morini. 2011. Composition of ant fauna (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) at litter in areas of semi-deciduous forest and Eucalyptus spp., in Southeastern Brazil. Biota Neotrop. 11(2): http://www.biotaneotropica.org.br/v11n2/en/abstract?inventory+bn00511022011.
  • Mentone T.O., M. S. C. Morini, L. Souza, and S. M. P. Braga. 2009. Hymenoptera communities in an agroecosyste using direct seedling in Southeastern Brazil. Sociobiology 53(2B): 473-486.
  • Meyer, S.T., I.R. Leal and R. Wirth. 2009. Persisting Hyper-abundance of Leaf-cutting Ants (Atta spp.) at the Edge of an Old Atlantic Forest Fragment. Biotropica 41(6):711-716
  • Mico, E., A.B.T. Smith, and M.A. Moron. 2000. New Larval Descriptions for Two Species of Euphoria Burmeister (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae: Cetoniini: Euphoriina) with a Key to the Known Larvae and a Review of the Larval Biology. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 93:795-802
  • Moutinho, P., D.C. Nepstad and E.A. Davidson. 2003. Influence of Leaf-Cutting Ant Nests on Secondary Forest Growth and Soil Properties in Amazonia. Ecology 84(5):1265-1276
  • Munhae C. B., Z. A. F. N. Bueno, M. S. C. Morini, and R. R. Silva. 2009. Composition of the Ant Fauna (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Public Squares in Southern Brazil. Sociobiology 53(2B): 455-472.
  • Nascimento Santos M., J. H. C. Delabie, and J. M. Queiroz. 2019. Biodiversity conservation in urban parks: a study of ground-dwelling ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Rio de Janeiro City. Urban Ecosystems https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-019-00872-8
  • Neves F. S., K. S. Queiroz-Dantas, W. D. da Rocha, and J. H. C. Delabie. 2013. Ants of Three Adjacent Habitats of a Transition Region Between the Cerrado and Caatinga Biomes: The Effects of Heterogeneity and Variation in Canopy Cover. Neotrop Entomol 42: 258–268.
  • Oliveira Mentone T. de, E. A. Diniz, C. de Bortoli Munhae, O. Correa Bueno and M. S. de Castro Morini. 2012. Composition of ant fauna (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) at litter in areas of semi-deciduous forest and Eucalyptus spp., in Southeastern Brazil. Biota Neotrop 11(2): 237-246.
  • Pereira M. C., J. H. C. Delabie, Y. R. Suarez, and W. F. Antonialli Junior. 2013. Spatial connectivity of aquatic macrophytes and flood cycle influence species richness of an ant community of a Brazilian floodplain. Sociobiology 60(1): 41-49.
  • Pires de Prado L., R. M. Feitosa, S. Pinzon Triana, J. A. Munoz Gutierrez, G. X. Rousseau, R. Alves Silva, G. M. Siqueira, C. L. Caldas dos Santos, F. Veras Silva, T. Sanches Ranzani da Silva, A. Casadei-Ferreira, R. Rosa da Silva, and J. Andrade-Silva. 2019. An overview of the ant fauna (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the state of Maranhao, Brazil. Pap. Avulsos Zool. 59: e20195938.
  • Radoszkowsky O. 1884. Fourmis de Cayenne Française. Trudy Russkago Entomologicheskago Obshchestva 18: 30-39.
  • Raimundo, R.L.G., A.V.L. Freitas and P.S. Oliviera.2009. Seasonal Patterns in Activity Rhythm and Foraging Ecology in the Neotropical Forest-Dwelling Ant, Odontomachus chelifer (Formicidae: Ponerinae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 102(6): 1151-1157
  • Ramos L. S., R. Z. B. Filho, J. H. C. Delabie, S. Lacau, M. F. S. dos Santos, I. C. do Nascimento, and C. G. S. Marinho. 2003. Ant communities (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the leaf-litter in cerrado “stricto sensu” areas in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Lundiana 4(2): 95-102.
  • Ramos L. de S., C. G. S. Marinho, R. Zanetti, and J. H. C. Delabie. 2003. Impacto de iscas formicidas granuladas sobre a mirmecofauna não-alvo em eucaliptais segundo duas formas de aplicacação / Impact of formicid granulated baits on non-target ants in eucalyptus plantations according to two forms of application. Neotropical Entomology 32(2): 231-237.
  • Ramos L. de S., R. Zanetti, C. G. S. Marinho, J. H. C. Delabie, M. N. Schlindwein, and R. P. Almado. 2004. Impact of mechanical and chemical weedings of Eucalyptus grandis undergrowth on an ant community (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Rev. Árvore 28(1): 139-146.
  • Reis P. C. J., W. D. Darocha, L. Falcao, T. J. Guerra, and F. S. Neves. 2013. Ant Fauna on Cecropia pachystachya Trécul (Urticaceae) Trees in an Atlantic Forest Area, Southeastern Brazil. Sociobiology 60(3): 222-228.
  • Ribas C. R., F. A. Schmidt, R. R. C. Solar, R. B. F. Campos, C. L. Valentim, and J. H. Schoereder. 2012. Ants as Indicators of the Success of Rehabilitation Efforts in Deposits of Gold Mining Tailings. Restoration Ecology 20(6): 712–722.
  • Ribas C. R., J. H. Schoereder, M. Pic, and S. M. Soares. 2003. Tree heterogeneity, resource availability, and larger scale processes regulating arboreal ant species richness. Austral Ecology 28(3): 305-314.
  • Ribas C. R., R. R. C. Solar, R. B. F. Campos, F. A. Schmidt, C. L. Valentim, and J. H. Schoereder. 2012. Can ants be used as indicators of environmental impacts caused by arsenic? Insect Conserv 16: 413–421.
  • Rodrigues de Souza D., E. Stingel, L. C. de Almeida, M. A. Lazarini, C. de Bortoli Munhae, A. J. Mayhe-Nunes, O. Correa Bueno, and M. Santina de C. Morini. 2010. Ant Diversity in a Sugarcane Culture without the Use of Straw Burning in Southeast, São Paulo, Brazil. American Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences 5 (2): 183-188.
  • Rodrigues de Souza D., E. Stingel, L. C. de Almeida, M. A. Lazarini, C. de Bortoli Munhae, O. Correa Bueno, C. R. Archangelo, and M. Santina de C. Morini. 2010. Field methods for the study of ants in sugarcane plantations in Southeastern Brazil. Sci. Agric. (Piracicaba, Braz.) 67(6): 651-657.
  • Rosa da Silva R. 1999. Formigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) do oeste de Santa Catarina: historico das coletas e lista atualizada das especies do Estado de Santa Catarina. Biotemas 12(2): 75-100.
  • Salinas P. J. 2010. Catalogue of the ants of the Táchira State, Venezuela, with notes on their biodiversity, biogeography and ecology (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Amblyioponinae, Ponerinae, Proceratiinae, Myrmicinae, Ecitoninae, Formicinae, Pseudomyrmecinae, Dolichoderinae). Boletín de la SEA 47: 315-328.
  • Santos M. S., J. N. C. Louzada, N. Dias, R. Zanetti, J. H. C. Delabie, and I. C. Nascimento. 2006. Litter ants richness (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in remnants of a semi-deciduous forest in the Atlantic rain forest, Alto do Rio Grande region, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Iheringia, Sér. Zool., Porto Alegre, 96(1): 95-101.
  • Santos-Junior L. C., J. M. Saraiva, R. Silvestre, and W. F. Antonialli-Junior. 2014. Evaluation of Insects that Exploit Temporary Protein Resources Emphasizing the Action of Ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in a Neotropical Semi-deciduous Forest. Sociobiology 61(1): 43-51
  • Santschi F. 1916. Formicides sudaméricains nouveaux ou peu connus. Physis (Buenos Aires). 2: 365-399.
  • Santschi F. 1919. Nouveaux formicides de la République Argentine. Anales de la Sociedad Cientifica Argentina. 87: 37-57.
  • Santschi F. 1922. Myrmicines, dolichodérines et autres formicides néotropiques. Bulletin de la Société Vaudoise des Sciences Naturelles 54: 345-378.
  • Schmidt F. A., and R. R. C. Solar. Is it important to collect hypogaeic ants? How to collect them? Biológico, São Paulo 69(2): 267-270.
  • Schmidt, F.A. and R.R.C Solar. 2010. Hypogaeic pitfall traps: methodological advances and remarks to improve the sampling of a hidden ant fauna. Insectes Sociaux 57:261-266.
  • Schoereder J. H., T. G. Sobrinho, M. S. Madureira, C. R. Ribas, and P. S. Oliveira. 2010. The arboreal ant community visiting extrafloral nectaries in the Neotropical cerrado savanna. Terrestrial Arthropod Reviews 3: 3-27.
  • Silvestre R., C. R. F. Brandão, and R. R. Silva da 2003. Grupos funcionales de hormigas: el caso de los gremios del cerrado. Pp. 113-148 in: Fernández, F. (ed.) 2003. Introducción a las hormigas de la región Neotropical. Bogotá: Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt, xxvi + 424 pp.
  • Sobrinho T. G., and J. H. Schoereder. 2007. Edge and shape effects on ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) species richness and composition in forest fragments. Biodivers Conserv 16: 1459–1470.
  • Sobrinho T., J. H. Schoereder, C. F. Sperber, and M. S. Madureira. 2003. Does fragmentation alter species composition in ant communities (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)? Sociobiology 42(2): 329-342.
  • Solomon S. E., C. Rabeling, J. Sosa-Calvo, C. Lopes, A. Rodrigues, H. L. Vasconcelos, M. Bacci, U. G. Mueller, and T. R. Schultz. 2019. The molecular phylogenetics of Trachymyrmex Forel ants and their fungal cultivars provide insights into the origin and coevolutionary history of ‘higher-attine’ ant agriculture. Systematic Entomology 44: 939–956.
  • Suguituru S. S., D. R. de Souza, C. de Bortoli Munhae, R. Pacheco, and M. S. de Castro Morini. 2011. Diversidade e riqueza de formigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) em remanescentes de Mata Atlântica na Bacia Hidrográfica do Alto Tietê, SP. Biota Neotrop. 13(2): 141-152.
  • Suguituru S. S., M. Santina de Castro Morini, R. M. Feitosa, and R. Rosa da Silva. 2015. Formigas do Alto Tiete. Canal 6 Editora 458 pages
  • Taerum, S.J., M.J. Cafaro, A.E.F. Little, T.R. Schultz, C.R. Currie. 2007. Low Host-Pathogen Specificity in the Leaf-Cutting Ant-Microbe Symbiosis. Proceedings: Biological Sciences 274(1621):1971-197
  • Ulyssea M. A., and C. R. F. Brandao. 2013. Ant species (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from the seasonally dry tropical forest of northeastern Brazil: a compilation from field surveys in Bahia and literature records. Revista Brasileira de Entomologia 57(2): 217–224.
  • Ulysséa M. A., C. R. F. Brandão. 2013. Ant species (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from the seasonally dry tropical forest of northeastern Brazil: a compilation from field surveys in Bahia and literature records. Revista Brasileira de Entomologia 57(2): 217-224.
  • Vittar, F. 2008. Hormigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) de la Mesopotamia Argentina. INSUGEO Miscelania 17(2):447-466
  • Vittar, F., and F. Cuezzo. "Hormigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) de la provincia de Santa Fe, Argentina." Revista de la Sociedad Entomológica Argentina (versión On-line ISSN 1851-7471) 67, no. 1-2 (2008).
  • Weber N. A. 1938. The biology of the fungus-growing ants. Part IV. Additional new forms. Part V. The Attini of Bolivia. Rev. Entomol. (Rio J.) 9: 154-206.
  • Weber N. A. 1946. The biology of the fungus-growing ants. Part IX. The British Guiana species. Revista de Entomologia (Rio de Janeiro) 17: 114-172.
  • Weber N. A. 1947. Lower Orinoco River fungus-growing ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae, Attini). Boletín de Entomologia Venezolana 6: 143-161.
  • Weber N. A. 1968. The Panamanian Atta species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington 70: 348-350.
  • Weyrauch W. K. 1942. Las hormigas cortadoras de hojas del Valle de Chanchmayo. Boletin de la direccion de Agricultura y Ganaderia 15: 204-259.
  • Wheeler G. C. 1949. The larvae of the fungus-growing ants. Am. Midl. Nat. 40: 664-689.
  • Wheeler W. M. 1905. The ants of the Bahamas, with a list of the known West Indian species. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 21: 79-135.
  • Wheeler W. M. 1916. Ants collected in British Guiana by the expedition of the American Museum of Natural History during 1911. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 35: 1-14.
  • Wheeler W. M. 1925. Neotropical ants in the collections of the Royal Museum of Stockholm. Arkiv för Zoologi 17A(8): 1-55.
  • Wheeler W. M. 1942. Studies of Neotropical ant-plants and their ants. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 90: 1-262.
  • Wirth, R., S.T. Meyer, W.R. Almeida, M.V. Araujo Jr., V.S. Barbosa and I.R. Leal. 2007. Increasing densities of leaf-cutting ants (Atta spp.) with proximity to the edge in a Brazilian Atlantic forest. Journal of Tropical Ecology 23:501-505
  • Zolessi L. C. de, Y. P. Abenante, and M. E. de Philippi. 1988. Lista sistematica de las especies de Formicidos del Uruguay. Comun. Zool. Mus. Hist. Nat. Montev. 11: 1-9.
  • Zolessi L. C. de; Y. P. de Abenante, and M. E. Philippi. 1989. Catálogo sistemático de las especies de Formícidos del Uruguay (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Montevideo: ORCYT Unesco, 40 + ix pp.
  • da Silva Araujo, M., Castro Della Lucia, T.M., DA VEIGA, Clayton E y CARDOSO DO NASCIMENTO, Ivan. 2004. Efeito da queima da palhada de cana-de-açúcar sobre comunidade de formicídeos. Ecol. austral. 14(2): 191-200.
  • da Silva T. F., D. Russ Solis, T. de Carvalho Moretti, A. Calazans da Silva, M. E. Din Mostafa Habib. 2009. House-infesting ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in a municipality of southeastern Brazil. Sociobiology 54(1): 153-159.
  • da Silva, R.R., C.R.F. Brandao, and R. Silvestre. 2004. Similarity Between Cerrado Localities in Central and Southeastern Brazil Based on the Dry Season Bait Visitors Ant Fauna. Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment 39(3):191-199.
  • de Abreu J. M., and J. H. C. Delabie. 1986. Controle das formigas cortadeiras em plantios de cacau. Revista Theobroma 16(4): 199-211.
  • de Almeida Soares S., Y. R. Suarez, W. D. Fernandes, P. M. Soares Tenorio, J. H. C. Delabie, and W. F. Antonialli-Junior. 2013. Temporal variation in the composition of ant assemblages (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) on trees in the Pantanal floodplain, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Rev. Bras. entomol. 57: 84-90
  • de Souza D. R., S. G. dos Santos, C. de B. Munhae, and M. S. de C. Morini. 2012. Diversity of Epigeal Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Urban Areas of Alto Tietê. Sociobiology 59(3): 703-117.
  • de Zolessi, L.C., Y.P. de Abenante and M.E. Phillipi. 1989. Catalago Systematico de las Especies de Formicidos del Uruguay (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Oficina Regional de Ciencia y Technologia de la Unesco para America Latina y el Caribe- ORCYT. Montevideo, Uruguay
  • do Nascimento, I.C. 2006. Fenologia dos Voos de Acasalamento em Formigas Tropicais