Lepisiota

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Lepisiota
Lepisiota capensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Formicinae
Tribe: Plagiolepidini
Genus: Lepisiota
Santschi, 1926
Type species
Plagiolepis rothneyi, now Lepisiota rothneyi
Subgenera
Diversity
147 species
(Species Checklist, Species by Country)

Lepisiota capensis casent0146042 profile 1.jpg

Lepisiota capensis

Lepisiota capensis casent0146042 dorsal 1.jpg

Specimen Label

Synonyms

Hita Garcia, Wiesel and Fischer (2013) - The genus Lepisiota is distributed in the Old World and is of moderate size (Bolton, 2012). They nest in rotten wood, in the ground, or in standing trees, and can be considered as generalised foragers (Bolton, 1973a; Brown, 2000). They are especially abundant in less forested habitats, such as grasslands, savannahs or woodlands.

The taxonomy of this genus is in an awful condition. Forel (1892) provided a key to a few then known species but the usefulness of this key is limited since it covers only a minor fraction of the current diversity. Later, Wheeler (1922) and then Emery (1925b) published diagnoses and catalogues of the genus, although none of them attempted a full revision. No further taxonomic works have been published since then and a modern revision of Lepisiota would strongly improve the taxonomic understanding of this group.

Identification

Antennae 11-segments, without antennal club; palp formula 6,4; mandibles subtriangular, masticatory margin with 5–6 teeth; eyes with over 100 ommatidia; antennal scrobes absent; pronotal spines absent; mesothorax reduced and slender; metathoracic spiracles in profile raised; propodeal spines dentiform (absent in some species); petiolar spines present or absent; worker monomorphic, a few species are size-variable to weakly polymorphic.

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Keys to Species in this Genus

Distribution

Old World tropical and subtropical regions (Afrotropical, Palaeartic, Oriental and Indo-Australian) with a diversity peak in the Afrotropics.

Distribution and Richness based on AntMaps

Species by Region

Number of species within biogeographic regions, along with the total number of species for each region.

Afrotropical Region Australasian Region Indo-Australian Region Malagasy Region Nearctic Region Neotropical Region Oriental Region Palaearctic Region
Species 91 0 6 2 0 0 24 51
Total Species 2841 1736 3045 932 835 4379 1741 2862

Fossils

Boudinot et al. (2024), Note 1 - A specimen (PMJ Pa 5807) examinded during this study may be the first fossil or sub-fossil Lepisiota recorded to date. The specimen is dark, has the bituberculate form of the propodeum associated with Lepisiota canescens, and lacks spines on the petiolar node. Lepisiota is also the third genus (of nine) from the Plagiolepidini to be recovered from fossil-bearing sediments, the other two being Acropyga and Plagiolepis.

Biology

Association with Other Organisms

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Species Uncertain

  • Unknown species are associated with the aphids Aphis nerii, Chaitophorus sp., Lachnus sp. and Thelaxes suberis (Saddiqui et al., 2019 and included references).
  • An unspecified species within this genus is a host for the eulophid wasp Pediobius marjoriae (a parasite) (Universal Chalcidoidea Database) (primary host).
  • Unknown species of Lepisiota are hosts for the diapriid wasps Adelioneiva rudebecki and Ferrieropria sp. in South Africa (www.diapriid.org).
  • An unknown species is a host for the eulophid wasp Pediobius marjorae (a parasitoid) (Quevillon, 2018) (multiple encounter modes; direct transmission; transmission outside nest).

All Associate Records for Genus

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Taxon Relationship Associate Type Associate Taxon Associate Relationship Locality Source Notes
Lepisiota host diapriid wasp Adelioneiva rudebecki parasite South Africa
Lepisiota host diapriid wasp Ferrieropria sp. parasite South Africa www.diapriid.org
Lepisiota host eulophid wasp Pediobius marjorae parasitoid Quevillon, 2018 multiple encounter modes; direct transmission; transmission outside nest
Lepisiota host eulophid wasp Pediobius marjoriae parasite Universal Chalcidoidea Database primary host
Lepisiota mutualist aphid Aphis nerii trophobiont Stary, 1969; Saddiqui et al., 2019
Lepisiota mutualist aphid Chaitophorus sp. trophobiont Stary, 1969; Saddiqui et al., 2019
Lepisiota mutualist aphid Lachnus sp. trophobiont Stary, 1969; Saddiqui et al., 2019
Lepisiota mutualist aphid Thelaxes suberis trophobiont Stary, 1969; Saddiqui et al., 2019
Lepisiota bipartita mutualist aphid Aphis craccivora trophobiont Shiran et al., 2013; Saddiqui et al., 2019
Lepisiota bipartita mutualist aphid Aphis fabae trophobiont Shiran et al., 2013; Saddiqui et al., 2019
Lepisiota bipartita mutualist aphid Aphis frangulae trophobiont Shiran et al., 2013; Saddiqui et al., 2019
Lepisiota bipartita mutualist aphid Aphis nasturtii trophobiont Shiran et al., 2013; Saddiqui et al., 2019
Lepisiota bipartita mutualist aphid Aphis nerii trophobiont Shiran et al., 2013; Saddiqui et al., 2019
Lepisiota bipartita mutualist aphid Aphis parietariae trophobiont Shiran et al., 2013; Saddiqui et al., 2019
Lepisiota bipartita mutualist aphid Aphis punicae trophobiont Shiran et al., 2013; Saddiqui et al., 2019
Lepisiota bipartita mutualist aphid Aphis umbrella trophobiont Shiran et al., 2013; Saddiqui et al., 2019
Lepisiota bipartita mutualist aphid Chaitophorus euphraticus trophobiont Shiran et al., 2013; Saddiqui et al., 2019
Lepisiota bipartita mutualist aphid Chaitophorus truncates trophobiont Shiran et al., 2013; Saddiqui et al., 2019
Lepisiota bipartita mutualist aphid Hyalopterus pruni trophobiont Shiran et al., 2013; Saddiqui et al., 2019
Lepisiota bipartita mutualist aphid Myzus persicae trophobiont Shiran et al., 2013; Saddiqui et al., 2019
Lepisiota bipartita mutualist aphid Pterochloroides persicae trophobiont Shiran et al., 2013; Saddiqui et al., 2019
Lepisiota bipartita mutualist aphid Rhopalosiphum maidis trophobiont Shiran et al., 2013; Saddiqui et al., 2019
Lepisiota bipartita mutualist aphid Rhopalosiphum padi trophobiont Shiran et al., 2013; Saddiqui et al., 2019
Lepisiota dolabellae mutualist aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum trophobiont Mortazavi et al., 2015; Saddiqui et al., 2019
Lepisiota dolabellae mutualist aphid Brachycaudus tragopogonis trophobiont Mortazavi et al., 2015; Saddiqui et al., 2019
Lepisiota frauenfeldi mutualist aphid Aphis craccivora trophobiont Rakhshan and Ahmad, 2015; Saddiqui et al., 2019
Lepisiota frauenfeldi mutualist aphid Aphis eugeniae trophobiont Pakistan Gull-E-Fareen et al., 2020
Lepisiota frauenfeldi mutualist aphid Aphis fabae trophobiont Pakistan Gull-E-Fareen et al., 2020
Lepisiota frauenfeldi mutualist aphid Aphis gossypii trophobiont Pakistan Gull-E-Fareen et al., 2020
Lepisiota frauenfeldi mutualist aphid Aphis pomi trophobiont Pakistan Gull-E-Fareen et al., 2020
Lepisiota frauenfeldi mutualist aphid Greenidea (Greenidea) decaspermi trophobiont Pakistan Gull-E-Fareen et al., 2020
Lepisiota frauenfeldi mutualist aphid Greenidea (Greenidea) ficicola trophobiont Pakistan Gull-E-Fareen et al., 2020
Lepisiota frauenfeldi mutualist aphid Greenidea (Trichosiphum) formosana trophobiont Pakistan Gull-E-Fareen et al., 2020
Lepisiota frauenfeldi mutualist aphid Macrosiphoniella sanborni trophobiont Pakistan Gull-E-Fareen et al., 2020
Lepisiota frauenfeldi mutualist aphid Ovatus crataegarius trophobiont Pakistan Gull-E-Fareen et al., 2020
Lepisiota frauenfeldi mutualist aphid Pterochloroides persicae trophobiont Mortazavi et al., 2015; Saddiqui et al., 2019
Lepisiota frauenfeldi mutualist aphid Tinocallis kahawaluokalani trophobiont Pakistan Gull-E-Fareen et al., 2020
Lepisiota frauenfeldi mutualist aphid Tuberolachnus salignus trophobiont Pakistan Gull-E-Fareen et al., 2020
Lepisiota nigra mutualist aphid Aphis fabae trophobiont Mortazavi et al., 2015; Saddiqui et al., 2019
Lepisiota nigra mutualist aphid Aphis gossypii trophobiont Mortazavi et al., 2015; Saddiqui et al., 2019
Lepisiota nigra mutualist aphid Brachycaudus helichrysi trophobiont Mortazavi et al., 2015; Saddiqui et al., 2019
Lepisiota nigra mutualist aphid Brachycaudus tragopogonis trophobiont Mortazavi et al., 2015; Saddiqui et al., 2019
Lepisiota nigra mutualist aphid Chaitophorus israeliticus trophobiont Mortazavi et al., 2015; Saddiqui et al., 2019
Lepisiota nigra mutualist aphid Cinara pini trophobiont Latibari et al., 2016; Saddiqui et al., 2019
Lepisiota nigra mutualist aphid Hyalopterus amygdali trophobiont Mortazavi et al., 2015; Saddiqui et al., 2019
Lepisiota nigra mutualist aphid Macrosiphon rosae trophobiont Mortazavi et al., 2015; Saddiqui et al., 2019
Lepisiota nigra mutualist aphid Periphyllus bulgaricus trophobiont Mortazavi et al., 2015; Saddiqui et al., 2019
Lepisiota nigra mutualist aphid Pterochloroides persicae trophobiont Mortazavi et al., 2015; Saddiqui et al., 2019
Lepisiota nigra mutualist aphid Schizaphis nigerrima trophobiont Mortazavi et al., 2015; Saddiqui et al., 2019

Life History Traits

  • Mean colony size: >200-300 workers (Greer et al., 2021)
  • Compound colony type: not parasitic (Greer et al., 2021)
  • Nest site: hypogaeic; arboreal (Greer et al., 2021)
  • Diet class: omnivore (Greer et al., 2021)
  • Foraging stratum: subterranean/leaf litter; arboreal (Greer et al., 2021)

Castes

Morphology

Worker Morphology

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• Antennal segment count: 11 • Antennal club: absent • Palp formula: 6,4 • Total dental count: 5-6 • Spur formula: 0,0 • Eyes: >100 ommatidia • Scrobes: absent • Pronotal Spines: absent • Mesonotal Spines: absent • Propodeal Spines: dentiform • Petiolar Spines: absent • Caste: monomorphic, a few species are size-variable to weakly polymorphic • Sting: absent • Metaplural Gland: present • Cocoon: present

Karyotype

Species Uncertain

  • Lepisiota sp.1: 2n = 18 (India) (Imai et al., 1984) (near to Lepisiota sericea).
  • Lepisiota sp.2: 2n = 18 (India) (Imai et al., 1984) (near to Lepisiota fergusoni).

All Karyotype Records for Genus

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Taxon Haploid Diploid Karyotype Locality Source Notes
Lepisiota 18 India Imai et al., 1984 near to ''Lepisiota sericea''
Lepisiota 18 India Imai et al., 1984 near to ''Lepisiota fergusoni''

Phylogeny

Formicinae
Myrmelachistini
⊟
Lasiini
⊟
Melophorini
⊟
Formicini
⊟
Gesomyrmecini

Gesomyrmex  (7 species, 12 fossil species)

Oecophyllini

Oecophylla  (15 species, 16 fossil species)

Plagiolepidini
⊟
Gigantiopini

Gigantiops  (1 species, 0 fossil species)

Santschiellini

Santschiella  (1 species, 0 fossil species)

Myrmoteratini

Myrmoteras  (41 species, 0 fossil species)

Camponotini
⊟

See Phylogeny of Formicinae for details.

Nomenclature

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

  • LEPISIOTA [Formicinae: Plagiolepidini]
    • Lepisiota Santschi, 1926a: 15 [as subgenus of Acantholepis]. Type-species: Plagiolepis rothneyi, by original designation.
    • Lepisiota is first available replacement name for Acantholepis Mayr, 1861 [junior homonym of Acantholepis Kroyer, 1846: 98 (Pisces)], hence valid name of genus: Bolton, 1995b: 33.
    • Lepisiota senior synonym of Baroniurbania (unnecessary replacement name for Acantholepis): Bolton, 1994: 51.
    • [Lepisiota incorrectly as junior synonym of Acanthomyrmex: Brown, 1973b: 181; Snelling, R.R. 1981: 397. In both publications Acanthomyrmex is an error for Acantholepis.]
    • Subgenera of Lepisiota: nominal plus Baroniurbania: Dietrich, 2004: 324.
  • ACANTHOLEPIS [junior homonym, see Lepisiota]
    • Acantholepis Mayr, 1861: 42. Type-species: Hypoclinea frauenfeldi, by monotypy. [Junior homonym of Acantholepis Kroyer, 1846: 98 (Pisces)].
    • Lepisiota Santschi, 1926a: 15 [previously a subgenus of Acantholepis Mayr], first available replacement name for Acantholepis Mayr: Bolton, 1995b: 33.]
  • ACHANTILEPIS [unavailable name]
    • Achantilepis Santschi, 1935b: 274, incorrect subsequent spelling of Acantholepis.
  • PSEUDACANTHOLEPIS [unavailable name]
    • Pseudacantholepis Bernard, 1953b: 256, attributed to Santschi [as subgenus of Acantholepis]. Unavailable name. Proposed without designation of type-species. Species included by Bernard (1953b) are all referable to Lepisiota: Bolton, 1995b: 44.

References

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