Sericomyrmex lutzi

Sericomyrmex lutzi
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Formicidae
Subfamily:	Myrmicinae
Tribe:	Attini
Genus:	Sericomyrmex
Species:	S. lutzi
Binomial name
Sericomyrmex lutzi Wheeler, W.M., 1916

Other than specimens noted as being found in forest, nothing is known about the biology of Sericomyrmex lutzi.

Identification

Jesovnik and Schultz (2017) - Large species; posterior cephalic emargination deep, gradually impressed; mandible dorsally smooth and glossy; frontal lobe triangular, relatively narrow; mesosomal tubercles low; first gastral tergite with lateral carinae weak, dorsal carinae absent.

Based on morphology, S. lutzi seems to be most closely related to Sericomyrmex mayri, but mayri has a much shallower posterior cephalic emargination; striate mandibles; narrower, anterad-directed frontal lobes; and often at least faint anteromedian dorsal gastral carinae.

Keys including this Species

• Key to Sericomyrmex

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: 5.3344° to -1.9075°.

North Temperate	North Subtropical	Tropical	South Subtropical	South Temperate

• Source: AntMaps

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Neotropical Region: French Guiana, Guyana (type locality), Suriname.

Distribution based on AntMaps

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.

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.

Biology

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. some Crematogaster some Lasius 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. some Apterostigma Cyatta (1 species) some Cyphomyrmex Kalathomyrmex (1 species) Mycocepurus (6 species) Myrmicocrypta (31 species) Mycetarotes (4 species) Mycetosoritis (2 species) Mycetophylax (21 species) Paramycetophylax (1 species) Xerolitor (1 species) Coral Fungus Agriculture Practiced by species in the Apterostigma pilosum species-group, which cultivate fungi within the Pterulaceae. some Apterostigma 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. some Cyphomyrmex 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. Mycetomoellerius (31 species) Paratrachymyrmex (9 species) Sericomyrmex (11 species) Trachymyrmex (9 species) 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. Acromyrmex (56 species) Amoimyrmex (3 species) Atta (20 species) 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. ‎

Castes

Figure 29.

Figure 30.

Jesovnik and Schultz 2017. Figure 29. S. lutzi worker (USNMENT00445053), SEM images. a Head, full-face view b mandibles c mesosoma and metasoma, dorsolateral view d metasoma, dorsal view. Figure 30. S. lutzi queen and male; head, lateral profile, and dorsal view. Queen (MCZ 9-11 21139) (a, c, e) Male (USNMENT01126226) (b, d, f).

Nomenclature

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

• lutzi. Sericomyrmex lutzi Wheeler, W.M. 1916c: 9 (w.q.m.) GUYANA.
  • Type-material: lectotype worker (by designation of Ješovnik & Schultz, 2017a: 52), 5 paralectotype workers, 2 paralectotype queens, 1 paralectotype male.
  • Type-locality: lectotype Guyana (“British Guiana”): Roraima, Kauwa Creek, 13.viii.1911, AC 3097 (A. Crampton); paralectotypes with same data.
  • Type-depositories: MCZC (lectotype); AMNH, MCZC (paralectotypes).
  • Status as species: Emery, 1924d: 339; Weber, 1946b: 143; Kempf, 1972a: 229; Bolton, 1995b: 382; Ješovnik & Schultz, 2017a: 52 (redescription).
  • Distribution: Guyana.

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

Jesovnik and Schultz 2017:

Description

Worker

(lectotype): HWe 1.12–1.35 (1.21) HW 1.12–1.35 (1.21) HW1 1.08–1.27 (1.2) HW2 1.21–1.46 (1.32) HW3 0.86–0.90 (0.86) IFW1 0.70–0.88 (0.78) IFW2 0.27–0.33 (0.32) HL1 1.16–1.30 (1.16) HL2 0.96–1.12 (0.96) SL 0.80–0.93 (0.86) EL 0.14–0.19 (0.16) Om 9–11 (11) WL 1.38–1.68 (1.55) PL 0.3–0.44 (0.3) PPL 0.22–0.26 (0.26) GL 0.9–1.18 (0.99) HFL 1.20–1.40 (1.33) PW 0.73–0.94 (0.83) CI 100–104 (104) FLI 63–68 (65) SI 67–73 (71) OI 12–15 (13) CEI 14–17 (17) [N=7]

Pilosity. Pubescence dense, lighter than integument, appressed to decumbent. Hairs curved, darker in color at base, yellow to gray, appressed to suberect, mostly decumbent.

Head. Head in full-face view slightly broader than long (CI=103 ± 2), posterior corner acute, lateral margin of head convex, posterior cephalic emargination distinct, very deep (CEI=15 ± 1), gradually impressed. Vertexal impression relatively deep, frontal tumuli distinct. Mandibles with 7–9 teeth, dorsally smooth, glossy, finely transversely striate along masticatory margin. Frontal carina straight to slightly curved laterally, complete. Eyes medium-sized (OI =14 ± 1), weakly convex, 9–11 ommatidia across largest diameter. Frontal lobe triangular, relatively narrow (FLI=64 ± 2), posterior margin shorter than medial. Antennal relatively short, scape not reaching posterior cephalic corner (SI=71 ± 2).

Mesosoma. Mesosomal tubercles low and obtuse. Propodeal carinae low, reduced, sometimes with posterodorsal denticles.

Metasoma. Petiole and postpetiole each with two low, short, serrate carina dorsally, on petiole sometimes reduced to low denticles, best seen in dorsolateral view. First gastral tergite with lateral carinae weakly developed, dorsal carinae absent.

Queen

HWe 1.4 HW 1.4 HW1 1.32 HW2 1.52 HW3 IFW1 0.9 IFW2 0.34 HL1 1.36 HL2 1.16 SL 0.92 EL 0.25 Om 18 EW 0.1 WL 2.08 PL 0.44 PPL 0.28 GL 1.72 HFL 1.56 PW 1.18 1 FWg 6.82 HWg 4.6 CI 103 FLI 64 SI 66 OI 18 [N=1]

Head. Mandibles with nine teeth, dorsally glossy and smooth, finely transversely striate only along masticatory margin. Preocular carina fading posterior to eye. Eye large, convex, 18 ommatidia across largest diameter. Frontal lobe as in worker, antennal scape not reaching posterior cephalic corner.

Mesosoma. Scutum in dorsal view with notauli and median mesoscutal line reduced. Parapsidal lines faint, slightly curved. Scutellum in dorsal view narrowing posteriorly, posterior notch shallow. Propodeum with two low, reduced denticles.

Metasoma. First tergite of gaster with lateral carinae strongly developed, dorsal carinae absent, anteromedian groove distinct in dorsal view.

Male

Measurements in mm: HWe 0.9 HW 0.74 IFW1 0.27 IFW2 017 HL1 0.7 SL 0.74 EL 0.29 Om 30 EW 0.13 WL 1.74 PL 0.4 PPL 0.22 GL 1.4 HFL 1.67 PW 0.80 IOD 0.58 FWg 5.21 HWg 3.55 CI 128 FLI 30 SI 83 OI 32 [N=1]

Head in full-face view longer than broad (CI=128). Eyes large (OI=32), 30 ommatidia across largest diameter. Preocular carina extending posterior to median ocellus, medially curved before fading. In dorsal view scutum with notauli well developed, mesoscutal line distinct, with dark-brown reticulation, best seen in frontodorsal view. Groove between axillae with one transverse, short costa medially. Propodeum devoid of protuberances or carinae except for spiracular tubercles. Petiole with weak lateral carinae; postpetiole simple, smooth, without denticles or carinae.

MISC S. lutzi was originally described from a handful of specimens collected on Mt. Roraima, a mountain plateau (tepui) on the border of Guyana, Venezuela, and Brazil. The only other specimens of this species were collected on the slopes of the eastern-most tepui in Guyana, Mt. Ayanganna. It is very likely that this species has a restricted distribution and is endemic to the tepuis of the Guiana Highlands, an area known for its endemic flora and fauna (Brown 1975, Steyermark 1987, Berry et al. 1995, LaPolla et al. 2007).

Type Material

Lectotype worker (here designated): GUYANA, Roraima, Kauwa creek [5.223, -60.73], 13 Aug 1911, A. Crampton, AC3097 (Museum of Comparative Zoology: 1w, MCZ 12-14 21139, topmost worker on the pin). Paralectotypes: same data as lectotype (MCZ: 2w, MCZ 12-14 21139, lower two specimens on the pin) (MCZ: 2w, 1q, MCZ 9-11 21139) (American Museum of Natural History: 1w, 1q, 1m, USNMENT01126226).

References

• Franco, W., Ladino, N., Delabie, J.H.C., Dejean, A., Orivel, J., Fichaux, M., Groc, S., Leponce, M., Feitosa, R.M. 2019. First checklist of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of French Guiana. Zootaxa 4674, 509–543 (doi:10.11646/zootaxa.4674.5.2).
• Ješovnik, A. and Schultz, T.R. 2017. Revision of the fungus-farming ant genus Sericomyrmex Mayr (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae). ZooKeys. 670:1–109. doi:10.3897/zookeys.670.11839
• Jesovnik, A., Sosa-Calvo, J., Lloyd, M.W., Branstetter, M.G., Andez. F.F., Schultz, T.R. 2017. Phylogenomic species delimitation and host-symbiont coevolution in the fungus-farming ant genus Sericomyrmex Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): ultraconserved elements (UCEs) resolve a recent radiation. Systematic Entomology 42, 523–542 (doi:10.1111/syen.12228).
• Wheeler, W. M. 1916c. Ants collected in British Guiana by the expedition of the American Museum of Natural History during 1911. Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. 35: 1-14 (page 9, worker, queen, male described)

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

• Fernández, F. and S. Sendoya. 2004. Lista de las hormigas neotropicales. Biota Colombiana Volume 5, Number 1.
• 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.
• Jesovnik A., J. Chaul, and T. Schultz. 2018. Natural history and nest architecture of the fungus-farming ant genus Sericomyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Myrmecological News 26: 65-80.
• Kempf, W.W. 1972. Catalago abreviado das formigas da regiao Neotropical (Hym. Formicidae) Studia Entomologica 15(1-4).
• Klingenberg, C. and C.R.F. Brandao. 2005. The type specimens of fungus growing ants, Attini (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae) deposited in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil. Papeis Avulsos de Zoologia 45(4):41-50
• 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.