Tranopelta gilva

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Tranopelta gilva
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Myrmicinae
Tribe: Attini
Genus: Tranopelta
Species: T. gilva
Binomial name
Tranopelta gilva
Mayr, 1866

Tranopelta gilva casent0010793 profile 1.jpg

Tranopelta gilva casent0010793 dorsal 1.jpg

Specimen labels

Synonyms

Longino - Tranopelta gilva are pale, subterranean ants that are never seen foraging on the surface. In the field their general habitus is very similar to the formicine genus Acropyga. Very little is known of the biology. Workers are most often found under rocks in clay soil in lowland rainforest. They may also occur in Winkler and Berlese samples of leaf litter from the forest floor. In Costa Rica I have collected T. gilva at four sites: La Selva Biological Station, 500m elevation on the Barva Transect above La Selva, Hitoy Cerere Biological Reserve, and near Ciudad Neily in the southern Pacific lowlands. At La Selva I once observed a populous colony under the loose bark of a rotten log in primary forest. Knots of workers and uniformly-sized brood were in scattered piles, distributed across at least 2m of the log length. Queens are very large, dramatically larger than the workers. Most queens are collected at lights.

Identification

Propodeum and promesonotum continuous in lateral view, only interrupted by metanotal groove: scape ending before posterior border.

Some morphometric differences exist between the smaller workers (“minors”) and the larger ones (“majors”), such as the cephalic index and the scape index. In the larger workers. the head is more rectangular and the eyes are more faceted, Table 1 compares differences in head width, cephalic index, number of eye facets, number of mandibular teeth, mandibular striation, presence or absence of spines on the subpetiolar process, and locality, among several workers from various locations. Despite the wide variation present in the above characters, no association or correlation among them has been found that allows the separation of more than one species.

Some attributes of queens collected in different localities. The number of teeth is variable, as well as the shape of the median construction. The tooth of the subpetiolar process is also variable, as it may range from absent to conspicuous. Also variable, are the wings of both males and females. In the male student, the two anterior wings are different from one another.

Characters separating each caste of T. gilva from Tranopelta subterranea (the only other species in the genus) are given on the Tranopelta genus page.

Keys including this Species

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: 18.58600278° to -64.23°.

     
North
Temperate 		North
Subtropical 		Tropical South
Subtropical 		South
Temperate

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Neotropical Region: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela (type locality).

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.
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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.
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Biology

Castes

Images from AntWeb

Tranopelta gilva casent0178097 head 1.jpgTranopelta gilva casent0178097 profile 1.jpgTranopelta gilva casent0178097 dorsal 1.jpgTranopelta gilva casent0178097 label 1.jpg
Worker. Specimen code casent0178097. Photographer April Nobile, uploaded by California Academy of Sciences. Owned by ALWC, Alex L. Wild Collection.

Nomenclature

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

  • gilva. Tranopelta gilva Mayr, 1866a: 514 (q.m.) VENEZUELA, BRAZIL, COLOMBIA.
    • Type-material: syntype queens, syntype males (numbers not stated).
    • Type-localities: Venezuela (no further data) (C.A. Dohrn), Brazil: (no further data), Colombia: (no further data).
    • Type-depository: NHMW.
    • Wheeler, W.M. 1922e: 6 (w.); Wheeler, G.C. & Wheeler, J. 1955c: 131 (l.).
    • Status as species: Emery, 1890b: 53; Dalla Torre, 1893: 74; Emery, 1894k: 57; Forel, 1899c: 79; Forel, 1912g: 3; Mann, 1916: 446; Wheeler, W.M. 1916d: 324; Emery, 1919b: 61; Wheeler, W.M. 1922c: 8; Emery, 1922e: 193; Wheeler, W.M. 1922e: 6; Wheeler, W.M. 1925d: 178; Borgmeier, 1927c: 100; Borgmeier, 1934: 102; Ettershank, 1966: 109; Kempf, 1972a: 255; Bolton, 1995b: 421; Fernández, 2003c: 647 (redescription); Wild, 2007b: 38; Branstetter & Sáenz, 2012: 262; Bezděčková, et al. 2015: 122; Fernández & Serna, 2019: 879.
    • Senior synonym of albida: Emery, 1919b: 61; Kempf, 1972a: 255; Fernández, 2003c: 647.
    • Senior synonym of amblyops: Fernández, 2003c: 647.
    • Senior synonym of brunnea: Fernández, 2003c: 647.
    • Senior synonym of columbica: Emery, 1919b: 61; Kempf, 1972a: 255; Fernández, 2003c: 647.
    • Senior synonym of heyeri: Fernández, 2003c: 647.
    • Distribution: Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela.
  • albida. Tranopelta gilva var. albida Mann, 1916: 446 (w.) BRAZIL (Rondônia).
    • Type-material: syntype workers (number not stated, “several”).
    • Type-locality: Brazil: Madeira-Mamoré R.R., Camp 39 (284 km. from Porto Velho), 1911 (W.M. Mann).
    • Type-depositories: LACM, USNM.
    • Subspecies of gilva: Wheeler, W.M. 1922e: 8; Borgmeier, 1927c: 101.
    • Junior synonym of columbica: Emery, 1922e: 193; Bolton, 1995b: 421.
    • Junior synonym of gilva: Emery, 1919b: 61; Kempf, 1972a: 255; Fernández, 2003c: 647.
  • amblyops. Monomorium amblyops Emery, 1894c: 148 (w.) BRAZIL (Mato Grosso).
    • Type-material: syntype workers (number not stated, “several”).
    • Type-locality: Brazil: Mato Grosso (no further data).
    • Type-depository: MSNG.
    • Santschi, 1922d: 251 (q.m.).
    • Combination in Tranopelta: Emery, 1919b: 61;
    • combination in Monomorium (?Parholcomyrmex): Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 873.
    • Subspecies of gilva: Wheeler, 1922e: 8; Borgmeier, 1927c: 101.
    • Status as species: Forel, 1895b: 141; Emery, 1919b: 61; Santschi, 1922d: 251; Emery, 1922e: 193; Wheeler, W.M. 1922a: 873; Santschi, 1922d: 251; Emery, 1922e: 193; Bruch, 1928: 347; Santschi, 1936d: 408; Ettershank, 1966: 109; Kempf, 1972a: 255; Bolton, 1995b: 421.
    • Junior synonym of gilva: Fernández, 2003c: 647.
  • brunnea. Tranopelta gilva var. brunnea Forel, 1909a: 259 (w.q.m.) PARAGUAY.
    • Type-material: syntype workers, syntype queens, syntype males (numbers not stated).
    • Type-locality: Paraguay: San Bernardino (Fiebrig).
    • Type-depository: MHNG.
    • Junior synonym of amblyops: Emery, 1919b: 61; Emery, 1922e: 193; Wheeler, W.M. 1922e: 8; Borgmeier, 1927c: 101; Kempf, 1972a: 255; Bolton, 1995b: 421.
    • Junior synonym of gilva: Fernández, 2003c: 647.
  • columbica. Tranopelta heyeri var. columbica Forel, 1912g: 3 (w.) COLOMBIA.
    • Type-material: syntype workers (number not stated).
    • Type-localities: Colombia: Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Dibulla (A. Forel), Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, San Antonio (A. Forel).
    • Type-depository: MHNG.
    • Status as species: Mann, 1922: 29.
    • Subspecies of heyeri: Wheeler, W.M. 1922e: 10; Emery, 1922e: 193; Borgmeier, 1927c: 101; Ettershank, 1966: 109; Kempf, 1972a: 255; Bolton, 1995b: 421.
    • Subspecies of gilva: Wheeler, W.M. 1925d: 178.
    • Junior synonym of gilva: Emery, 1919b: 61; Kempf, 1972a: 255; Fernández, 2003c: 647.
  • heyeri. Monomorium heyeri Forel, 1901g: 389 (w.) BRAZIL (Rio Grande do Sul).
    • Type-material: syntype workers (number not stated).
    • Type-locality: Brazil: Rio Grande do Sul, St-Leopoldo (Heyer).
    • Type-depository: MHNG.
    • Wheeler, W.M. 1922e: 9 (s.).
    • Combination in M. (Martia): Forel, 1908c: 361;
    • combination in Tranopelta: Forel, 1911d: 396.
    • Status as species: Forel, 1908c: 361; Forel, 1911c: 299; Forel, 1913l: 219; Luederwaldt, 1918: 42, 43; Emery, 1919b: 61; Emery, 1922e: 193; Wheeler, W.M. 1922e: 9 (redescription); Borgmeier, 1927c: 101; Ettershank, 1966: 109; Kempf, 1972a: 255; Bolton, 1995b: 421.
    • Junior synonym of gilva: Fernández, 2003c: 647.

Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description.

Fernández (2003):

Some morphometric differences exist between the smaller workers (“minors”) and the larger ones (“majors”), such as the cephalic index and the scape index. In the larger workers. the head is more rectangular and the eyes are more faceted, Table 1 compares differences in head width, cephalic index, number of eye facets, number of mandibular teeth, mandibular striation, presence or absence of spines on the subpetiolar process, and locality, among several workers from various locations. Despite the wide variation present in the above characters, no association or correlation among them has been found that allows the separation of more than one species.

Some attributes of queens collected in different localities: The number of teeth is variable, as well as the shape of the median construction. The tooth of the subpetiolar process is also variable, as it may range from absent to conspicuous. Also variable, are the wings of both males and females. In the male studied, the two anterior wings are different from one another.

Description

Fernández (2003):

Worker

(n=4) : HW 0.46-1.03 HL 0.50-1.20 SL 0.32-0.54 EL 0.038-0.099 WL 0.53-1.20 PL 0.20 -0.38 PPL 0.15-0.28 GL 0.63-1.20 TL 2.06-4.37 CI 88-92 SI 52-68.

Feebly polymorphic. Head as long as broad (in minors) or longer than broad (in majors). Posterior border of head concave: lateral margins of head slightly concave to nearly straight in majors. Mandibles with four stout teeth, the apical and subapical teeth larger in majors, sometimes five teeth in minors. Mandibles smooth and shining will longitudinal striae. Anterior margin of clypeus sinuous medially concave. Clypeus never carinate; median apical seta absent. Frontal lobes short. Antennal scrobes absent. Eyes minute (with 3-4 facets) to moderate (around 12 facets) in size. Scape short, ending distantly from vertexal border, shorter in majors. In side view, promesonotum and propodeum continuous. Promesonotal suture impressed laterally. Metanotal groove clearly impressed in the dorsum. Propodeum gently rounded, without spines. In dorsal view, mesosoma constricted towards metanotal constriction. Propodea spiracle large, circular to ovoid to elliptical. Bulla of metapleural gland big and bulging. Inferior propodeal plates sometimes connected above the foramen by a faint carinae. Petiole pedunculated, node distinct. Subpetiolar process varies from a faint projection to a conspicuous spine. Petiole ventrally with a median carina posteriorly bifurcated as a “Y.” Ventral petiolar carinae variable in side view, forming one to two spines or angles, sometimes connected by translucent lamella of various development. Postpetiole with distinct anteroventral process, posterior process small or absent. Postpetiole narrowly or broadly attached to the gaster. Gaster sometimes white, translucent and soft. Body smooth, and shining with fine sculpture in the sides of the mesosoma and venter of petiole and postpetiole. Short pilosity of whitish color, erect and sparse on the body dorsum. Body light brown to yellowish, sometimes partially to completely white.

Queen

(n= 1): HW 1.70 HL 1.50 SL 0.90 EL 0.57 WL 3.45 PL 0.80 PPL 0.70 GL 4.5 AA 11.75 TL 11.41 CI 113 SI 53.

Head broader than longer. Posterior margin of head in frontal view convex. Sides convex: eyes at midpoint of head. Scapes short, ending at about 2/3 of the head length from posterior margin. Mandibles with five to six teeth, apical tooth largest. Mandibles slightly to well striated. Mesosoma modified as in myrmicine queens. Promesonotum dorsally with impressed longitudinal central line and two short lateral lines. Front wing as in figure 2H. Propodeal spiracles large, varying from circular to ovoid, sometimes medially constricted. Subpetiolar process variable; anterior spine absent, short or well developed; median carinae feebly impressed to well developed. Postpetiole broadly attached to gaster. Body with fine and densely punctate all over. Pubescence all over the body, especially on head and gaster. Pilosity erect and sparse, yellow brown in color.

Male

(n=1): HW (including eyes) 1.22 HL 1.00 SL 0.33 EL 0.55 WL 2.25 PL 0.48 GL 1.5 TL 5.9 CI 123 SI 27.

Head approximately as broad as long. Mandibles short, not touching when closed. Mandibles with 3 teeth, apical tooth bigger and separated from other two. Clypeus medially concave. Front wing as in figure. Propodeal spiracle circular. Sculpture and pubescence as in female. Long and curved hair on ocellar triangle and clypeus.

References

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

  • Borgmeier T. 1934. Contribuição para o conhecimento da fauna mirmecológica dos cafezais de Paramaribo, Guiana Holandesa (Hym. Formicidae). Archivos do Instituto de Biologia Vegetal (Rio de Janeiro) 1: 93-111.
  • 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. et al. 2019. MEXICO ANTS: incidence and abundance along the Nearctic-Neotropical interface. Ecology https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.2944
  • Emery C. 1890. Studii sulle formiche della fauna neotropica. Bull. Soc. Entomol. Ital. 22: 38-8
  • Emery C. 1894. Estudios sobre las hormigas de Costa Rica. Anales del Museo Nacional de Costa Rica 1888-1889: 45-64.
  • Emery C. 1919. Sur le genre Tranopelta et sur le type du genre Cremastogaster (Hym. Formicidae). Bulletin de la Société Entomologique de France 1919: 60-62.
  • Ettershank G. 1966. A generic revision of the world Myrmicinae related to Solenopsis and Pheidologeton (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Aust. J. Zool. 14: 73-171.
  • 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. 2003. Myrmicine ants of the genera Ochetomyrmex and Tranopelta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Sociobiology 41: 633-661
  • Fernández, F. and S. Sendoya. 2004. Lista de las hormigas neotropicales. Biota Colombiana Volume 5, Number 1.
  • 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.
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  • Forel A. 1912. Formicides néotropiques. Part IV. 3me sous-famille Myrmicinae Lep. (suite). Mémoires de la Société Entomologique de Belgique. 20: 1-32.
  • Forel A. 1913. Fourmis d'Argentine, du Brésil, du Guatémala & de Cuba reçues de M. M. Bruch, Prof. v. Ihering, Mlle Baez, M. Peper et M. Rovereto. Bulletin de la Société Vaudoise des Sciences Naturelles. 49: 203-250.
  • 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.
  • 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.
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