.jpg){kind=logo}
Mycetomoellerius
| Mycetomoellerius Temporal range: 20.43–0 Ma Early Miocene – Recent | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Myrmicinae |
| Tribe: | Attini |
| Genus: | Mycetomoellerius Solomon, Rabeling, Sosa-Calvo & Schultz, 2019 |
| Type species | |
| Atta iheringi, now Mycetomoellerius iheringi | |
| Diversity | |
| 33 species 1 fossil species (Species Checklist, Species by Country) | |
| At a Glance | • Fungus Grower |
Identification
Santos et al. (2025):
- Median pronotal spines basally fused (Fig. 2, A), rarely separated (Fig. 2, B) [e.g. Mycetomoellerius agudensis, Mycetomoellerius holmgreni, Mycetomoellerius isthmicus, Mycetomoellerius ixyodus, Mycetomoellerius kempfi and Mycetomoellerius relictus].
- Mandible dorsum smooth (Fig. 2, C), sometimes basally striated (Fig. 2, D), rarely completely striated (Fig. 2, E) [e.g. Mycetomoellerius iheringi].
- Preocular carinae frequently well-developed (Fig. 2, C), never curved towards the frontal carinae.
- Pilosity ranging from sparse (Fig. 2, G) to dense (Fig. 2, H).
- Postocular protuberance generally conspicuous (Fig. 2, F).
- Vertexal corners varying from rounded (Fig. 2, E) to angled/spiny (Fig. C, D, F).
- Posterior margin of head generally with strong median impression (Fig. 2, F).
- Postpetiole in lateral view without posteromedial impression (posterior margin rarely concave) (Fig. 2, H, K).
- First gastral tergite often with conspicuous pairs of lateral and median ridges (Fig. 2, K).
- Propodeal projections long in most species (Fig. 2, H).
- Promesonotum usually with unequally-sized projections (Fig. 2, H) [some exeptions in Mycetomoellerius atlanticus, Mycetomoellerius farinosus, Mycetomoellerius fiebrigi, Mycetomoellerius holmgreni, Mycetomoellerius iheringi, Mycetomoellerius oetkeri, Mycetomoellerius pruinosus, Mycetomoellerius tucumanus, Mycetomoellerius turrifex and Mycetomoellerius zeteki].
- Antennal scape sometimes with basal lobe (Fig. 2, C) [e.g. Mycetomoellerius cirratus, Mycetomoellerius holmgreni, Mycetomoellerius iheringi, Mycetomoellerius kempfi, Mycetomoellerius pruinosus and Mycetomoellerius tucumanus]; microtubercles generally present (Fig. 2, C, D, F).
Santos et al. (2025), Fig. 2. Comparison between Mycetomoellerius, Paratrachymyrmex and Trachymyrmex species. A, M. oetkeri (UFV-LABECOL-005130); B, T. septentrionalis (ANTWEB1060085); C, M. kempfi (CASENT0178107); D, M. turrifex (CASENT0104760); E, P. bugnioni (CASENT0919968); F, M. mesopleuralis (MZSPHYM0136546); G, T. septentrionalis (CASENT0919975); H, M. kempfi (CASENT0178107); I, T. pakawa (CASENT0919984); J, P. intermedius (CASENT0919970); K, M. holmgreni (CASENT0178106). Black arrowheads, median pronotal spines basally fused; Red arrowheads, median pronotal spines separated; Blue arrowheads, pair of lateral ridges on first gastral tergite; Grey arrowheads, pair of median ridges on first gastral tergite. Abbreviations: frc, frontal carinae; lpsp, lateral pronotal spines; mdl, mandibles; mets, metanotal suture; mspl, mesopleura; phi, posterior margin of head impression; pmsnt, promesonotum ; popr, postocular protuberance; ppet, postpetiole; proc, preocular carinae; prs, pronotal spines; pvmh, posterior section of ventral margin of head; scp, scape; vc, vertexal corners; tgI, first tergum of the gaster.
,_Fig._2.jpg)
|
See images of species within this genus |
Keys including this Genus
Keys to Species in this Genus
- Key to Trachymyrmex opulentus species group workers
- Key to Trachymyrmex iheringi species group workers
Distribution
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 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 33 | 0 | 0 |
| Total Species | 2851 | 1736 | 3047 | 932 | 840 | 4391 | 1767 | 2925 |
Fossils
Fossils are known from: Dominican amber, Dominican Republic (Burdigalian, Early Miocene).
Biology
Association with Other Organisms
All Associate Records for Genus
Click here to show/hide associate data.
| Taxon | Relationship | Associate Type | Associate Taxon | Associate Relationship | Locality | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mycetomoellerius zeteki | host | ant | Megalomyrmex adamsae | xenobiont | |||
| Mycetomoellerius zeteki | host | diapriid wasp | Acanthopria sp. | parasite | Panama | Pérez-Ortega et al., 2010 | ant species as ''Trachymyrmex'' cf. ''zeteki'' |
| Mycetomoellerius zeteki | host | diapriid wasp | Acanthopria sp. | parasitoid | Quevillon, 2018 | encounter mode independent; direct transmission; transmission outside nest | |
| Mycetomoellerius zeteki | host | diapriid wasp | Mimopriella sp. | parasite | Panama | Pérez-Ortega et al., 2010 | ant species as ''Trachymyrmex'' cf. ''zeteki'' |
| Mycetomoellerius zeteki | host | diapriid wasp | Mimopriella sp. 1 | parasitoid | Quevillon, 2018 | encounter mode independent; direct transmission; transmission outside nest | |
| Mycetomoellerius zeteki | host | diapriid wasp | Mimopriella sp. 2 | parasitoid | Quevillon, 2018 | encounter mode independent; direct transmission; transmission outside nest | |
| Mycetomoellerius zeteki | host | diapriid wasp | Oxypria sp. | parasite | Panama | Pérez-Ortega et al., 2010 | ant species as ''Trachymyrmex'' cf. ''zeteki'' |
| Mycetomoellerius zeteki | host | diapriid wasp | Oxypria sp. | parasitoid | Quevillon, 2018 | encounter mode independent; direct transmission; transmission outside nest | |
| Mycetomoellerius zeteki | host | diapriid wasp | Szelenyiopria sp. | parasite | Panama | Pérez-Ortega et al., 2010 | ant species as ''Trachymyrmex'' cf. ''zeteki'' |
| Mycetomoellerius zeteki | host | diapriid wasp | Szelenyiopria sp. 1 | parasitoid | Quevillon, 2018 | encounter mode independent; direct transmission; transmission outside nest | |
| Mycetomoellerius zeteki | host | diapriid wasp | Szelenyiopria sp. 2 | parasitoid | Quevillon, 2018 | encounter mode independent; direct transmission; transmission outside nest |
Castes
Morphology
Worker Morphology
Explore: Show all Worker Morphology data or Search these data. See also a list of all data tables or learn how data is managed.
- Antennal segment count: 11
- Antennal club: gradual-3, weak
- Palp formula: 4,2
- Total dental count: 8-12
- Spur formula: 0,0
- Scrobes: weak
- Caste: polymorphic
- Sting: present
Male Morphology
- Explore: Show all Male Morphology data or Search these data. See also a list of all data tables or learn how data is managed.
• Antennal segment count 13 • Antennal club gradual-4 weak • Palp formula 4,2 • Total dental count 3-7 • Spur formula 0,0
Karyotype
Species Uncertain
- Mycetomoellerius: n = 9, 2n = 18, karyotype = 16M+2SM (Brazil) (Barros et al., 2014; Cardoso & Cristiano, 2021) (as Trachymyrmex fuscus and Mycetomoellerius fuscus).
- Mycetomoellerius: 2n = 22, karyotype = 18M+4SM (Brazil) (Barros et al., 2013; Cardoso & Cristiano, 2021).
All Karyotype Records for Genus
- See additional details at the Ant Chromosome Database.
- Explore: Show all Karyotype data or Search these data. See also a list of all data tables or learn how data is managed.
Click here to show/hide karyotype data.
| Taxon | Haploid | Diploid | Karyotype | Locality | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mycetomoellerius | 22 | 18M+4SM | Brazil | Barros et al., 2013; Cardoso & Cristiano, 2021 | ||
| Mycetomoellerius | 9 | 18 | 16M+2SM | Brazil | Barros et al., 2014; Cardoso & Cristiano, 2021 | as ''Trachymyrmex fuscus'' and ''Mycetomoellerius fuscus'' |
| Mycetomoellerius holmgreni | 10 | 20 | 20M | Brazil | Barros et al., 2018; Cardoso et al., 2018; Micolino et al., 2019; Micolino et al., 2020 | |
| Mycetomoellerius iheringi | 10 | 20 | 18M + 2SM | Brazil | Micolino et al., 2020 | |
| Mycetomoellerius relictus | 10 | 20 | 20M | Brazil | Barros et al., 2013; Micolino et al., 2020 | |
| Mycetomoellerius urichii | 9 | 18 | 16M + 2SM | Brazil | Barros et al., 2013 | as ''Mycetomoellerius fuscus'' |
Genus Uncertain
The following karyotypes were described as belonging to Trachymyrmex but lacked species-level identifications. As a result of the taxonomic changes proposed by Solomon et al. (2019) the generic placement of these specimens becomes uncertain, but they are likely to belong to either Mycetomoellerius or Paratrachymyrmex rather than Trachymyrmex (based on geographic distribution).
- As Trachymyrmex sp.1: n = 6, 2n = 12, karyotype = 12M (Panama) (Murakami et al., 1998).
- As Trachymyrmex sp.2: 2n = 18, karyotype = 18M (Panama) (Murakami et al., 1998).
- As Trachymyrmex: 2n = 22, karyotype = 18M+4SM (Brazil) (Barros et al., 2013).
Phylogeny
| Myrmicinae |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See Phylogeny of Myrmicinae for details.
Nomenclature
The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.
- MYCETOMOELLERIUS [Myrmicinae: Attini]
- Mycetomoellerius Solomon, Rabeling, Sosa-Calvo & Schultz, 2019: 950. Type-species: Atta (Acromyrmex) iheringi, by original designation.
References
- Barrera, C.A., Sosa-Calvo, J., Schultz, T.R., Rabeling, C., Bacci, M., Jr 2021. Phylogenomic reconstruction reveals new insights into the evolution and biogeography of Atta leaf-cutting ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Systematic Entomology 47: 13-35 (doi:10.1111/syen.12513).
- Barros, L.A.C., Aguiar, H.J.A.C., Mariano, C.S.F., Delabie, J.H.C., Pompolo, S.G. 2013. Cytogenetic characterization of the ant Trachymyrmex fuscus Emery, 1934 (Formicidae: Myrmicinae: Attini) with the description of a chromosomal polymorphism. Annales de la Société entomologique de France 49, 367–373.
- Cardoso, D. C., Cristiano, M. P. 2021. Karyotype diversity, mode, and tempo of the chromosomal evolution of Attina (Formicidae: Myrmicinae: Attini): Is there an upper limit to chromosome number? Insects 1212, 1084 (doi:10.3390/insects12121084).
- Dahan, R.A., Grove, N.K., Bollazzi, M., Gerstner, B.P., Rabeling, C. 2021. Decoupled evolution of mating biology and social structure in Acromyrmex leaf-cutting ants. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 76, 7 (doi:10.1007/s00265-021-03113-1).
- Fernandez, F., Guerrero, R.J., Sánchez-Restrepo, A.F. 2021. Sistemática y diversidad de las hormigas neotropicales. Revista Colombiana de Entomología 47, 1–20 (doi:10.25100/socolen.v47i1.11082).
- Hanisch, P.E., Sosa-Calvo, J., Schultz, T.R. 2022. The last piece of the puzzle? Phylogenetic position and natural history of the monotypic fungus-farming ant genus Paramycetophylax (Formicidae: Attini). Insect Systematics and Diversity 6 (1): 11:1-17 (doi:10.1093/isd/ixab029).
- Solomon, S.E., Rabeling, C., Sosa-Calvo, J., Lopes, C.T., Rodrigues, A., Vasconcelos, H.L., Bacci Jr, M., Mueller, U.G., Schultz, T.R. 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 (doi:10.1111/syen.12370).