Acropyga exsanguis

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Acropyga exsanguis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Formicinae
Tribe: Plagiolepidini
Genus: Acropyga
Species: A. exsanguis
Binomial name
Acropyga exsanguis
(Wheeler, W.M., 1909)

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Specimen Labels

Synonyms

LaPolla (2004) - Bünzli (1935) extensively documented the natural history of A. exsanguis (under the synonym A. paramaribensis). This species is highly polygynous. Bünzli found both pleometrosis (founding of a colony by multiple queens), and the acquisition of young queens by established colonies in A. exsanguis, suggesting multiple possible origins of polygyny. Bünzli found that A. exsanguis possesses large, diffuse nests in the soil (similar to those described by LaPolla et al. (2002) for Acropyga epedana). The species is known to make vertical nest movements in the soil depending on soil conditions. For instance, as the upper layers of soil dry, Bünzli found the ants moved deeper into the ground.

Identification

LaPolla (2004) - Worker: 8-9 segmented antennae; scape typically slightly fails posterior margin; head about a broad as long; head width < than 0.52 mm; mandible with 3 distinct teeth; mesonotum dorsum with a thick layer of hairs, with scattered erect hairs. Queen: as in worker with modifications expected for caste. Male: 9-10 segmented antennae; parameres long and rectangular with many long erect hairs covering lateral surface; parameres often with distinct dorsolateral expansions. Compare with Acropyga keira and Acropyga romeo.

Workers are distinguishable from other species in the decedens species-group by the 8-9 antennal segments and the small head width (<0.52 mm). Worker mandibular dentition seems to be stable at 3 distinct teeth. However Bünzli (1935) reported observing 4 teeth and 7 antennal segments in A. paramaribensis (a junior synonym). Fortunately a large sample of this species was available for study, and I never observed a 4th mandibular tooth or 7 antennal segments among any specimens. Therefore, I suspect that Bünzli was in error or that the latter conditions are extremely rare abberations. He may have confused A. exsanguis with Acropyga smithii, which does have 4 mandibular teeth and can possess as few as 7 antennal segments. This species could be confused with Acropyga romeo, but can be separated from it based on the presence of a 4th smaller basal tooth.

Males of this species are distinct, with dorsolateral expansions of varying degrees found in the parameres (from slight lateral expansions to expansions that completely cover the digiti and cuspi in dorsal view). Variation in the dorsolateral expansion of the parameres at first led me to believe that there were several species present, but after examining multiple male specimens it is clear that the variation is a continuum and the specimens were indeed conspecific. Examination of the penis valves revealed that they are the same structural type regardless of the extent of the dorsolateral expansion.

Keys including this Species

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: 21.48388889° to -34.583333°.

   
North
Temperate
North
Subtropical
Tropical South
Subtropical
South
Temperate

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Neotropical Region: Argentina, Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico (type locality), Panama, Suriname.

LaPolla (2004): This species has a wide distribution, ranging from central Mexico to northern Argentina.

Distribution based on AntMaps

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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

Jack Longino: This species inhabits a variety of habitats including lowland rainforest, seasonal dry forest, and montane wet forest. It is most often encountered by looking under stones in moist areas or by sifting leaf litter from the forest floor (Winkler samples).

Twice during the wet season at La Selva Biological Station, 4-Nov-1991 and 22-Oct-1991, Longino observed massive mating swarms of males. While walking from the bridge to the dining hall at dusk, swirling clouds of males were forming above every small shrub in the grassy clearing around the station buildings. Even in the dining hall itself, small groups of males were forming aggregations above the white plates set out on the tables.

Even though Acropyga appear to be relatively rare ants when relying on common collecting methods such as manual search or litter sifting, the great clouds of flying males belie their true abundance in the habitat. Acropyga are entirely subterranean ants that live in the soil, a notoriously difficult microhabitat to sample.

Association with Other Organisms

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Other Insects

LaPolla (2004) - A number of trophobiotic mealybugs have been recorded living with this species: Neochavesia sp., Geococcus coffeae, Rhizoecus coffeae, Pseudorhizoecus proximus, Rhizoecus caladii, and Rhizoecus falcifer. Trophophoretic behavior by queens has been observed on at least three separate occasions: queens carrying Rhizoecus coffeae (Bünzli, 1935; Roba, 1936; LaPolla, 2004) and Pseudorhizoecus sp. (Weber, 1957; LaPolla, 2004).

Castes

Nomenclature

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

  • exsanguis. Rhizomyrma exsanguis Wheeler, W.M. 1909b: 238 (w.) MEXICO (Veracruz).
    • Combination in Acropyga (Rhizomyrma): Mann, 1922: 53.
    • Status as species: Mann, 1922: 53; Emery, 1925b: 29; Wheeler, W.M. 1935f: 327; Donisthorpe, 1936b: 110 (in list); Weber, 1944: 96 (redescription); Kempf, 1972a: 17; Bolton, 1995b: 57; LaPolla, 2004a: 47 (redescription); Branstetter & Sáenz, 2012: 255.
    • Senior synonym of bruchi: LaPolla, 2004a: 47.
    • Senior synonym of paramaribensis: LaPolla, 2004a: 47.
    • Senior synonym of robae: LaPolla, 2004a: 47.
    • Senior synonym of wheeleri: LaPolla, 2004a: 47.
  • bruchi. Acropyga (Rhizomyrma) bruchi Santschi, 1929d: 308 (w.) ARGENTINA (Santa Fe).
    • Status as species: Wheeler, W.M. 1935f: 327; Donisthorpe, 1936b: 110 (in list); Weber, 1944: 103 (redescription); Kempf, 1972a: 17; Bolton, 1995b: 57.
    • Junior synonym of exsanguis: LaPolla, 2004a: 47.
  • paramaribensis. Acropyga paramaribensis Borgmeier, 1933c: 263 (w.q.) SURINAME.
    • Borgmeier, 1934: 111 (m.); Bünzli, 1935: 519 (l.).
    • Combination in Acropyga (Rhizomyrma): Borgmeier, 1934: 109; Kempf, 1972a: 17.
    • Status as species: Borgmeier, 1934: 109 (redescription); Bünzli, 1935: 459 (redescription); Wheeler, W.M. 1935f: 327; Donisthorpe, 1936b: 110 (in list); Weber, 1944: 103 (redescription); Kempf, 1961b: 521; Kempf, 1972a: 17; Bolton, 1995b: 58.
    • Junior synonym of exsanguis: LaPolla, 2004a: 47.
  • robae. Acropyga (Rhizomyrma) robae Donisthorpe, 1936b: 108, figs. 1-3 (w.q.m.) COLOMBIA.
    • Status as species: Weber, 1944: 110 (redescription); Kempf, 1972a: 18; Bolton, 1995b: 58.
    • Junior synonym of exsanguis: LaPolla, 2004a: 47.
  • wheeleri. Acropyga (Rhizomyrma) wheeleri Mann, 1922: 52 (w.q.) HONDURAS.
    • Status as species: Emery, 1925b: 30; Wheeler, W.M. 1935f: 327; Donisthorpe, 1936b: 110 (in list); Weber, 1944: 101 (redescription); Kempf, 1972a: 18; Bolton, 1995b: 58.
    • Junior synonym of exsanguis: LaPolla, 2004a: 47.

Type Material

LaPolla (2004):

  • Rhizomyrma exsanguis W.M. Wheeler, 1909: 238 (w.). 3 syntype workers, MEXICO: Jalapa (F. Silvestri) (MCZC) [examined]. The designated lectotype is a worker labeled JSL TYPE # 118 and is deposited at MCZC. Lectotype is 1 of 3 specimens on the same card. The lectotype is the specimen to the right of the middle specimen if the card is oriented away from an examiner. The worker is raised up slightly off the card and the head is not glued down to the surface.
  • Acropyga (Rhizomyrma) wheeleri Mann, 1922: 52 (w.q.). 8 syntype workers, HONDURAS: Lombardia (Hugrich) (MCZC) (USNM) [examined].
  • Acropyga (Rhizomyrma) bruchi Santschi, 1929: 308 (w.). 3 syntype workers, ARGENTINA: Santa Fe, Rosario (NHMB) [examined].
  • Acropyga (Rhizomyrma) paramaribensis Borgmeier, 1933: 263 (w.q.). Syntype workers, syntype queens, SURINAM: Paramaribo (depository unknown) [not examined].
  • Acropyga (Rhizomyrma) robae Donisthorpe; 1936: 108 (w.q.m.). Holotype worker, COLOMBIA: La Esperanza (R. Roba) (BMNH) [examined]; 7 paratype workers, 5 paratype queens, 1 paratype male, same locality as holotype (BMNH) (MCZC) [examined].

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

Description

Worker

LaPolla (2004) - (n=22): TL: 1.72-2.38; HW: 0.462-0.511; HL: 0.451-0.522; SL: 0.318-0.380; ML: 0.427-0.592; GL: 0.710-l.32; CI: 94.64-104.7; SI: 67.37-76.14.

Head: yellow; head about as broad as long; covered in a dense layer of appressed hairs, with scattered erect hairs toward posterior margin; posterior margin slightly concave medially; 8-9 segmented, incrassate antennae; apical segment about as long as preceding 4 segments; scape reaches or slightly fails posterior margin; clypeus with dense layer of erect hairs of varying lengths; mandible with 3 distinct teeth; gap exists between inner mandibular margin and anterior clypeal margin. Mesosoma: yellow; in lateral view, pronotum rises steeply toward mesonotum; pronotum with appressed hairs, erect hairs more posteriorly placed; mesonotum usually high and dorsally rounded, covered in dense layer of appressed hairs, with erect hairs scattered throughout; metanotal area distinct; propodeum below level of mesonotum, rounded with appressed and erect hairs; declivity steep. Gaster: petiole thick and erect; petiole reaches about midline of propodeal spiracle; gaster yellow; covered in a dense layer of appressed hairs, with scattered erect hairs throughout.

Queen

LaPolla (2004) - (n=5): TL: 2.17-3.48; HW: 0.52-0.547; HL: 0.508-0.547; SL: 0.367-0.443; SL: 0.367-0.443; ML: 0.828-0.963; GL: 1.14-l.97; CI: 100-107.28; SI: 67.34-82.96. As in worker, with modifications expected for caste and the following differences: scutellum with appressed and erect hairs; two longest hairs (almost as long as scutellum) anterolaterally placed opposite each other.

Male

LaPolla (2004) - (n=6): TL: l.87-2.41; HW: 0.346-0.412; HL: 0.388-0.410; SL: 0.267-0.311; ML: 0.67-0.785; GL: 0.79-1.28; CI: 89.18-105.93; SI: 67.65-75.49.

Head: brownish-yellow anteriorly becoming dark brown around 3 prominent ocelli; head about as broad as long; 9-10 segmented, incrassate antennae; apical segment about as long as preceding 3 segments; scape reaches or slightly surpasses posterior margin; clypeus with dense layer of appressed and erect hairs; mandible with 1-2 teeth; basal tooth, when present, small and indistinct, separated from apical tooth by wide diastema; gap exists between inner mandibular margin and anterior clypeal margin. Mesosoma: pronotum short and collar-like, overarched by mesonotum; anterior mesonotum broadly rounded; mesonotum dorsum flat, covered in a layer of largely short appressed hairs, with scattered longer appressed to erect hairs throughout; propodeum slightly rounded, with appressed hairs; declivity very short, but steep. Gaster: petiole thick and erect; gaster brownish-yellow, dorsum darker. Genitalia: in lateral view, parameres elongate and rectangular, covered in scattered sub erect to erect hairs; parameres with dorsolateral expansions apically, varying from completely covering to only slightly covering digiti and cuspi in dorsal view; cuspi cylindrical, curved apically toward digiti; apices of cuspi with short, peg-like teeth; digiti anvil-shaped apically, meeting cuspi on dorsal surface, where short, peg-like teeth are present.

References

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

  • Basset Y., L. Cizek, P. Cuenoud, R. K. Didham, F. Guilhaumon, O. Missa, V. Novotny, F. Odegaards, T. Roslin, J. Schmidl et al. 2012. Arthropod diversity in a tropical forest. Science 338(6113): 1481-1484.
  • Borgmeier T. 1933. Nota prévia sobre Acropyga paramaribensis n. sp. (Hym. Formicidae). Revista de Entomologia (Rio de Janeiro) 3: 263.
  • 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
  • Donoso D. A. 2014. Assembly mechanisms shaping tropical litter ant communities. Ecography 37 doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0587.2013.00253.x
  • Fernandes, P.R. XXXX. Los hormigas del suelo en Mexico: Diversidad, distribucion e importancia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).
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  • Johnson C., D. Agosti, J. H. C. Delabie, K. Dumpert, D. J. Williams, and M. Tschirnaus. 2001. Acropyga and Azteca ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) with scale insects (Sternorrhyncha: Coccoidea): 20 million years of intimate symbiosis. American Museum Novitates 3335: 1-18.
  • Kaspari M., D. Donoso, J. A. Lucas, T. Zumbusch, and A. D. Kay. 2012. Using nutritional ecology to predict community structure: a field test in Neotropical ants. Ecosphere 3(11): art.93.
  • Kempf W. W. 1961. A survey of the ants of the soil fauna in Surinam (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Studia Entomologica 4: 481-524.
  • Kempf, W.W. 1972. Catalago abreviado das formigas da regiao Neotropical (Hym. Formicidae) Studia Entomologica 15(1-4).
  • LaPolla J.S. 2004. Acropyga (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the world. Contributions of the American Entomological Institute 33(3): 1-130.
  • Longino J. et al. ADMAC project. Accessed on March 24th 2017 at https://sites.google.com/site/admacsite/
  • Longino, J.T. 2010. Personal Communication. Longino Collection Database
  • Olson D. M. 1991. A comparison of the efficacy of litter sifting and pitfall traps for sampling leaf litter ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in a tropical wet forest, Costa Rica. Biotropica 23(2): 166-172.
  • Santschi F. 1929. Nouvelles fourmis de la République Argentine et du Brésil. Anales de la Sociedad Cientifica Argentina. 107: 273-316.
  • Ulyssea M. A., L. Pires do Prado, C. R. F. Brandao. 2017. Catalogue of the Dolichoderinae, Formicinae and Martialinae (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) types deposited at the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil. Papeis Avulsos de Zoologia 57(23): 295-311.
  • Ulyssea M. A., L. Pires do Prado, and C. R. F. Brandao. 2017. Catalogue of the Dolichoderinae, Formicinae and Martialinae (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) types deposited at the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil. Papeis Avulos de Zoologia 57(23): 295-311.
  • Vasquez-Bolanos M. 2011. Checklist of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Mexico. Dugesiana 18(1): 95-133.
  • 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).
  • Vásquez-Bolaños M. 2011. Lista de especies de hormigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) para México. Dugesiana 18: 95-133
  • Weber N. A. 1944. The neotropical coccid-tending ants of the genus Acropyga Roger. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 37: 89-122.
  • Wheeler W. M. 1935f. Ants of the genus Acropyga Roger, with description of a new species. Journal of the New York Entomological Society 43:321-329.