Linepithema cryptobioticum

AntWiki: The Ants --- Online
Linepithema cryptobioticum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Dolichoderinae
Tribe: Leptomyrmecini
Genus: Linepithema
Species: L. cryptobioticum
Binomial name
Linepithema cryptobioticum
Wild, 2007

Linepithema cryptobioticum casent0106969 profile 1.jpg

Linepithema cryptobioticum casent0106969 dorsal 1.jpg

Specimen labels

The few collections of this species are all from sifted leaf litter at a single site in the Paraguayan dry chaco. Little is known about the biology of L. cryptobioticum. This species is probably subterranean, as small eyes, robust build, and yellow color are traits typical of hypogaeic ants. (Wild 2007)

Identification

Wild (2007) – Worker Antennal scapes very short (SI 76–81); eyes small, with < 25 ommatidia; frontal carinae relatively widely spaced (CDI > 30); propodeum and petiolar scale unusually tall; mesopleura and metapleural bulla lacking pubescence and strongly shining.

Linepithema cryptobioticum is a distinct ant unlikely to be confused with other species. Linepithema flavescens, known only from Haiti, has slightly larger eyes (>25 ommatidia), a relatively narrow frontal carinal distance (CDI < 30), and lacks the enlarged petiolar scale. Linepithema pulex and Linepithema angulatum are similar in color and in robust build, but these species have larger eyes (>30 ommatidia), longer antennal scapes, and lack the enlarged petiolar scale.

Keys including this Species

Distribution

Known only from type locality in the Paraguayan chaco.

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: -21.1998° to -22.809943°.

 
North
Temperate
North
Subtropical
Tropical South
Subtropical
South
Temperate

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Neotropical Region: Argentina, Paraguay (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.
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

Castes

Nomenclature

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

  • cryptobioticum. Linepithema cryptobioticum Wild, 2007a: 41, figs. 9, 10, 100 (w.) PARAGUAY.

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

Description

Worker

Holotype: HL 0.58, HW 0.54, MFC 0.17, SL 0.41, FL 0.41, LHT 0.43, PW 0.36, ES 0.78, SI 76, CI 93, CDI 31, OI 13.

Worker: (n = 6) HL 0.56–0.58, HW 0.52–0.54, MFC 0.16–0.18, SL 0.40–0.42, FL 0.39–0.41, LHT 0.40–0.43, PW 0.35–0.36, ES 0.62–0.80, SI 76–81, CI 91–96, CDI 31–33, OI 11–14.

Head in full face view relatively broad (CI 91–96), lateral margins convex, posterior margin concave. Compound eyes small (ES < 0.8), comprised of 17–22 ommatidia. Antennal scapes short (SI 76–81), much shorter than head length. In full face view, scapes in repose not exceeding posterior margin of head. Frontal carinae relatively widely spaced (CDI 31–33). Maxillary palps short, less than ½ HL, ultimate segment (segment six) shorter than segment 2.

Mesosoma in lateral view with pronotum and mesonotum forming a single continuous convexity, mesonotum relatively angulate, without central saddle or indentation. Metanotal groove slightly impressed, propodeum high and relatively bulky, nearly reaching level of mesonotum. Dorsal face with a slight medial saddle-like impression, posterior margin convex dorsad of metapleural bulla.

Petiolar scale unusually tall, in lateral view reaching level of propodeal spiracle. Anterior and posterior faces of scale parallel.

Cephalic dorsum (excluding clypeus) lacking erect setae. Pronotum with 2–3 erect setae (mean = 2.2). Mesonotum usually without erect setae. Erect setae on gastric tergites 1–4 ( = abdominal tergites 3–6) relatively abundant, tergite 1 bearing approximately 10 erect setae of varying length. Venter of metasoma with scattered erect setae.

Sculpture on head and mesosomal dorsum lightly shagreened and moderately shining. Pubescence dense on head, mesosomal dorsum, anterior petiolar scale, and gastric tergites 1–4. Mesopleura and metapleural bulla without pubescence and strongly shining.

Color pale yellow to reddish yellow.

Type Material

Holotype worker. Paraguay. Boquerón: Enciso, 21º12’S 61º40’W, 3-6.xi.2001, M. Leponce & T. Delsinne # 4022-5/3, Dry chaco in sifted litter 1 worker, Museo Nacional de Historia Natural del Paraguay.

Paratypes. PARAGUAY. Boquerón: Enciso, 21º12’S 61º40’W, M. Leponce & T. Delsinne #4022-5/3, #7597, #22836, Dry chaco in sifted litter, 7 workers, Alex L. Wild Collection, The Natural History Museum, Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Musee d'Histoire Naturelle Genève, Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo, National Museum of Natural History.

Etymology

The name cryptobioticum refers to the inferred subterranean habits of this species.

References

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

  • Wild, A. L.. "A catalogue of the ants of Paraguay (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)." Zootaxa 1622 (2007): 1-55.