Atta laevigata

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Atta laevigata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Myrmicinae
Tribe: Attini
Genus: Atta
Species: A. laevigata
Binomial name
Atta laevigata
(Smith, F., 1858)

Atta laevigata casent0173811 profile 1.jpg

Atta laevigata casent0173811 dorsal 1.jpg

Specimen labels

Synonyms

This species was found to be a pest in pastures in Paraguay, feeding on the grasses Cynodon nlemfuensis, Megathyrsus maximus, Paspalum notatum, Urochloa brizantha, Urochloa decumbens and Urochloa ruziziensis (Sarubbi & Ramirez, 2020).

Identification

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: 19.167° to -24.566667°.

   
North
Temperate 		North
Subtropical 		Tropical South
Subtropical 		South
Temperate

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Neotropical Region: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil (type locality), Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Suriname, 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.
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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

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. ‎

Morphology

Martins et al. (2015). Fig. 1 - intramandibular glands.

Martins et al. (2015) studied the occurrence of intramandibular glands in queens and soldiers, mediums, and minor workers using histological, histochemical, ultrastructural, and morphometric analyses. Individuals were obtained from three colonies of A. laevigata from Teixeiras (20 39’ S 42 51’ W), Minas Gerais, Brazil, and maintained in the Leafcutting Ants Laboratory at the Federal University of Vicosa. Class-3 gland cells and an epidermal gland with a reservoir were found in all the castes. The queens and soldiers showed a higher number of class-3 gland cells, distributed within the mandible as well as a greater gland size in comparison to the workers. There were also differences between castes in some chemical constituents.

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.
  • This species is a host for the phorid fly Apocephalus attophilus (a parasite) (phorid.net) (attacked).
  • This species is a host for the phorid fly Eibesfeldtphora (a parasite) (Souza & Pereira, 2020).
  • This species is a host for the phorid fly Myrmosicarius (a parasite) (Souza & Pereira, 2020).
  • 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 tonhascai (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 erthali (a parasitoid) (Quevillon, 2018) (encounter mode primary; direct transmission; transmission outside nest).
  • This species is a host for the sarcophagid fly Helicobia sp. (a parasite) in Brazil (Barganca et al., 2020).

Castes

Images from AntWeb

Atta laevigata casent0173812 head 1.jpgAtta laevigata casent0173812 profile 1.jpgAtta laevigata casent0173812 dorsal 1.jpgAtta laevigata casent0173812 label 1.jpg
Worker. Specimen code casent0173812. Photographer April Nobile, uploaded by California Academy of Sciences. Owned by ALWC, Alex L. Wild Collection.
Atta laevigata casent0173813 head 1.jpgAtta laevigata casent0173813 profile 1.jpgAtta laevigata casent0173813 dorsal 1.jpgAtta laevigata casent0173813 label 1.jpg
Worker. Specimen code casent0173813. Photographer April Nobile, uploaded by California Academy of Sciences. Owned by ALWC, Alex L. Wild Collection.

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.

  • laevigata. Oecodoma laevigata Smith, F. 1858b: 182, pl. 10, fig. 24 (s.w.) BRAZIL (Pará).
    • Type-material: 3 syntype workers.
    • Type-locality: Brazil: Pará, Santarem (H.W. Bates).
    • Type-depository: BMNH.
    • [Misspelled as levigata by Roger, 1863b: 35, Dalla Torre, 1893: 153, and others.]
    • Forel, 1913l: 239 (m.); Gonçalves, 1942: 336 (q.).
    • Combination in Atta: Roger, 1863b: 35;
    • combination in Atta (Neoatta): Gonçalves, 1942: 348; Borgmeier, 1959b: 365;
    • combination in Atta (Epiatta): Borgmeier, 1950d: 247.
    • Junior synonym of sexdens: Mayr, 1865: 80.
    • Subspecies of sexdens: Emery, in Dalla Torre, 1893: 154 (footnote); Emery, 1913b: 259; Wheeler, W.M. 1916c: 11; Wheeler, W.M. 1923a: 4.
    • Status as species: Roger, 1863b: 35; Mayr, 1863: 438; Dalla Torre, 1893: 153; Forel, 1895b: 138; Pergande, 1896: 896; Forel, 1905b: 157; Forel, 1908c: 348; Forel, 1912e: 179; Forel, 1913l: 239; Crawley, 1916b: 372; Luederwaldt, 1918: 38; Emery, 1924d: 354; Borgmeier, 1927c: 137; Menozzi, 1935b: 197; Eidmann, 1936b: 87; Weber, 1938b: 206; Santschi, 1939f: 166; Borgmeier, 1939: 427; Gonçalves, 1942: 348; Weber, 1946b: 164; Gonçalves, 1947a: 198; Borgmeier, 1950d: 247; Borgmeier, 1959b: 365 (redescription); Kempf, 1972a: 27; Cherrett & Cherrett, 1989: 53; Bolton, 1995b: 76; Delabie, 1998: 339; Wild, 2007b: 30; Fernández, et al. 2015: 152 (redescription); Fernández & Serna, 2019: 842.
    • Senior synonym of bolchevista: Borgmeier, 1950d: 243; Borgmeier, 1959b: 365 Kempf, 1972a: 27; Bolton, 1995b: 76; Fernández, et al. 2015: 153.
    • Senior synonym of silvai: Delabie, 1998: 339; Fernández, et al. 2015: 153.
    • Senior synonym of venezuelensis: Borgmeier, 1959b: 365; Kempf, 1972a: 27; Bolton, 1995b: 76; Fernández, et al. 2015: 153.
    • Distribution: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, Paraguay, Venezuela.
  • bolchevista. Atta (Neoatta) sexdens subsp. bolchevista Gonçalves, 1942: 350.
    • [First available use of Atta sexdens r. rubropilosa var. bolchevista Forel, 1921a: 204 (w.) PARAGUAY; unavailable (infrasubspecific) name.]
    • Type-material: syntype workers (number not stated).
    • Type-locality: Paraguay: San Bernardino (Chodat).
    • Type-depository: MHNG.
    • As unavailable (infrasubspecific) name: Santschi, 1929f: 93.
    • Junior synonym of laevigata: Borgmeier, 1950d: 243; Borgmeier, 1959b: 365 Kempf, 1972a: 27; Bolton, 1995b: 75; Fernández, et al. 2015: 153.
  • silvai. Atta (Neoatta) silvai Gonçalves, 1983b: 174, figs. 1, 2 (w.q.m.) BRAZIL (Bahia).
    • Type-material: lectotype worker (by designation of Delabie, 1991: 340), paralectotype workers, paralectotype queens, paralectotype males (numbers not stated).
    • Type-locality: lectotype Brazil: Bahia, 10 km. S Maraú, 28.xi.1969 (C.R. Gonçalves); paralectotypes:
    • Brazil: Bahia, 10 km. S Maraú, 1969 (P. Silva), Bahia. 10 km. S. Maraú, Fazenda Sempre Viva (A.G. Rocha), Bahia, 10 km. S Maraú, 3.iv.1969, 28.xi.1969, and 15.viii.1971 (C.R. Gonçalves).
    • Type-depositories: FRRJ (lectotype); DSVB, FRRJ, MNRJ, MZSP (paralectotypes).
    • Status as species: Brandão, 1991: 328; Bolton, 1995b: 77.
    • Junior synonym of laevigata: Delabie, 1998: 339; Fernández, et al. 2015: 153.
  • venezuelensis. Atta (Neoatta) laevigata subsp. venezuelensis Gonçalves, 1942: 349 (w.q.) VENEZUELA.
    • Type-material: holotype worker, paratype workers (number not stated), 2 paratype queens.
    • Type-localities: holotype Venezuela: El Valle, D.F., 21.viii.1939 (C.H. Ballou); paratypes with same data.
    • Type-depositories: DSVB (holotype); DSVB, FRRJ (paratypes).
    • Combination in Atta (Epiatta): Borgmeier, 1950d: 243.
    • Subspecies of laevigata: Borgmeier, 1950d: 243.
    • Junior synonym of laevigata: Borgmeier, 1959b: 365; Kempf, 1972a: 27; Bolton, 1995b: 77; Fernández, et al. 2015: 153.

Description

Karyotype

Explore-icon.png Explore: Show all Karyotype data or Search these data. See also a list of all data tables or learn how data is managed.
  • 2n = 22, karyotype = 12M+6SM+4A (Brazil) (Fadini & Pompolo, 1996; Barros et al., 2014).

References

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

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  • Andrade T., G. D. V. Marques, K. Del-Claro. 2007. Diversity of ground dwelling ants in Cerrado: an analysis of temporal variations and distinctive physiognomies of vegetation (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Sociobiology 50(1): 121-134.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Cortez-Perez, F. and T.E. Leon-Sicard. 2003. Modelo conceptual del papel ecologico de la hormiga arriera (Atta laevigata) en los ecosistemad de sabana estacional (Vichada, Colombia). Caldasia 25(2):403-417.
  • 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.
  • Crawley W. C. 1916. Ants from British Guiana. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 8(17): 366-378.
  • Fernández, F. and S. Sendoya. 2004. Lista de las hormigas neotropicales. Biota Colombiana Volume 5, Number 1.
  • Forel A. 1905. Miscellanea myrmécologiques II (1905). Ann. Soc. Entomol. Belg. 49: 155-185.
  • 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.
  • 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., 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.
  • 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.
  • Kempf W. W. 1978. A preliminary zoogeographical analysis of a regional ant fauna in Latin America. 114. Studia Entomologica 20: 43-62.
  • Kempf, W.W. 1972. Catalago abreviado das formigas da regiao Neotropical (Hym. Formicidae) Studia Entomologica 15(1-4).
  • Kusnezov N. 1953. La fauna mirmecológica de Bolivia. Folia Universitaria. Cochabamba 6: 211-229.
  • Luederwaldt H. 1918. Notas myrmecologicas. Rev. Mus. Paul. 10: 29-64.
  • Medina U. C. A., F. Fernandez, and M. G. Andrade-C. 2010. Insectos: escarabajos coprofagos, hormigas y mariposas. Capitulo 6. Pp 197-215. En: Lasso, C. A., J. S. Usma, F. Trujillo y A. Rial (eds.). 2010. Biodiversidad de la cuenca del Orinoco: bases científicas para la identificación de áreas prioritarias para la conservación y uso sostenible de la biodiversidad. Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt, WWF Colombia, Fundación Omacha, Fundación La Salle e Instituto de Estudios de la Orinoquia (Universidad Nacional de Colombia). Bogotá, D. C., Colombia.
  • Menozzi C. 1935. Spedizione del Prof. Nello Beccari nella Guiana Britannica. Hymenoptera-Formicidae. Redia. 21: 189-203.
  • Mundim F. M., A. N. Costa, and H. L. Vasconcelos, H.L. 2009. Leaf nutrient content and host plant selection by leaf-cutter ants, Atta laevigata, in a Neotropical savanna. Ent. exp. et Appl. 130: 47-54.
  • 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.
  • Pacheco R., and H. L. Vasconcelos. 2012. Subterranean Pitfall Traps: Is ItWorth Including Them in Your Ant Sampling Protocol? Psyche doi:10.1155/2012/870794
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Santschi F. 1929. Mélange myrmécologique. Wiener Entomologische Zeitung. 46: 84-93.
  • Silva F. H. O., J. H. C. Delabie, G. B. dos Santos, E. Meurer, and M. I. Marques. 2013. Mini-Winkler Extractor and Pitfall Trap as Complementary Methods to Sample Formicidae. Neotrop Entomol 42: 351–358.
  • 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.
  • 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., M. Santina de Castro Morini, R. M. Feitosa, and R. Rosa da Silva. 2015. Formigas do Alto Tiete. Canal 6 Editora 458 pages
  • Vasconcelos H. L., J. M. S. Vilhena, W. E. Magnusson, and A. L. K. M. Albernaz. 2006. Long-term effects of forest fragmentation on Amazonian ant communities. Journal of Biogeography 33: 1348-1356.
  • Vasconcelos, H.L., J.M.S. Vilhena, W.E. Magnusson and A.L.K.M. Albernaz. 2006. Long-term effects of forest fragmentation on Amazonian ant communities. Journal of Biogeography 33:1348-1356
  • Vieira-Neto. 2006. Hitchhiking behaviour in leaf-cutter ants: An experimental evaluation of three hypothese, E.H.M., F.M. Mundim and H.L. Vascocelos. 2006. Hitchhiking behaviour in leaf-cutter ants: An experimental evaluation of three hypotheses. Insectes Sociaux. 53:326-332
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 de Oliveira A. B., and F. A. Schmidt. 2019. Ant assemblages of Brazil nut trees Bertholletia excelsa in forest and pasture habitats in the Southwestern Brazilian Amazon. Biodiversity and Conservation 28(2): 329-344.
  • de Abreu J. M., and J. H. C. Delabie. 1986. Controle das formigas cortadeiras em plantios de cacau. Revista Theobroma 16(4): 199-211.
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