Solenopsis clytemnestra

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Solenopsis clytemnestra
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Myrmicinae
Tribe: Solenopsidini
Genus: Solenopsis
Species complex: molesta
Species: S. clytemnestra
Binomial name
Solenopsis clytemnestra
Emery, 1896

Solenopsis clytemnestra casent0178131 profile 1.jpg

Solenopsis clytemnestra casent0178131 dorsal 1.jpg

Specimen labels

Subspecies

Workers were collected in litter samples. Solenopsis clytemnestra has been collected in wet subtropical forest between 750 - 900 m in Tucuman, Argentina. This species in Paraguay is known from shaded lawns, pasture on Fious sp. nesting in twig, grazed secondary growth on low vegetation and nesting in twig, humid subtropical medium forest on low vegetation at 500 m, humid subtropical tall forest nesting in a stick, campo cerrado edge/lagoon nesting in a stick and campo cerrado nesting in a twig. This species was collected in leaf litter in Bolivia in yungas forest, montane evergreen forest and cloud forest. (Pacheco and Mackay 2013)

Identification

A New World thief ant that is a member of the molesta species complex. (Key to New World Solenopsis Species Complexes)

Pacheco and Mackay (2013) – Worker - The workers are moderate sized, concolorous yellow (nearly always) to dark brown (rarely). The clypeal carina in most specimens is well developed. The lateral clypeal teeth are small (nearly always) angulate to well developed (rarely), while the extralateral teeth are not developed and nearly absent. The eyes are small with 5-7 ommatidia present. The petiole, as seen from above, is roughly equal in width to the postpetiole and is pyramidal with a blunt node, while the postpetiole has a rounded node. The notopropodeal suture is deeply impressed, the propodeal spiracle is very large (0.040-0.050 mm maximum diameter). Most surfaces are smooth and glossy, including the mesopleuron and much of the side of the propodeum (lower half with fine striae). What is striking about this species is the large propodeal spiracle and the small clypeal teeth. Queen - . The queen is moderately large at 4.6 mm in total length and golden brown. The space between the lateral clypeal teeth is wide at 0.102 mm and the lateral clypeal teeth are angulate. The petiolar node is thickened and wider than the petiole viewed laterally. The petiolar peduncle is lacking a tooth or flange ventrally. The propodeal spiracle is large at 0.070-0.080 mm. Male - The male is concolorous brown with pale yellow antennae. The eyes extend 0.120 mm past the lateral margin of the head and are located anteriorly on the head. The anterior lateral portion of the head between the eyes contains horizontal striae that extend between the antennal insertions. The medial ocellus is large with a diameter of 0.090 mm and a height of 0.072 mm. The propodeal spiracle is large with a diameter of 0.090 mm and has depth within the sculpture of the propodeum. The petiole is wider than the postpetiole in profile.

This is a highly variable species. Solenopsis clytemnestra can be concolorous yellow to a concolorous dark brown (specimens from Brazil, Solenopsis brasiliana and Solenopsis reichenspergeri are in our view only dark color variants). The variety leda has well developed lateral clypeal teeth compared to the nominal form; however, the degree of development of these teeth is highly variable overall populations assigned to S. clytemnestra and thus is also not recognized as a distinct taxon. Solenopsis clytemnestra strangulata is slightly darker (more reddish/ orange instead of being yellow to dark brown) and is also perceived to be a color variant because it falls within the size range of clytemnestra proper and has similar clypeal teeth. Diagnostic for this species concept of S. clytemnestra is the large propodeal spiracle, shared by all specimens of putative varieties and subspecies.

This species is also similar to Solenopsis helena and Solenopsis major whose distributions overlap that of S. clytemnestra, but can be separated from these by the large propodeal spiracle and more robust petiolar node (the latter which is completely lacking in S. helena and S. major).

Keys including this Species

Distribution

Bolivia (Santa Cruz, Cochabamba); (From Kempf, 1972) Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul), Ceara, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais; Paraguay; Argentina (Buenos Aires, La Plata, Entre Rios, Misiones, Rio Negro, Tucuman).

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: -2.916667° to -40.421°.

     
North
Temperate 		North
Subtropical 		Tropical South
Subtropical 		South
Temperate

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Neotropical Region: Argentina (type locality), Bolivia, Brazil (type locality), Paraguay, Uruguay.

Distribution based on AntMaps

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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

Castes

Worker

Images from AntWeb

Solenopsis clytemnestra leda casent0103197 head 1.jpgSolenopsis clytemnestra leda casent0103197 profile 1.jpgSolenopsis clytemnestra leda casent0103197 dorsal 1.jpgSolenopsis clytemnestra leda casent0103197 label 1.jpg
Lectotype of Solenopsis clytemnestra leda. Worker. Specimen code casent0103197. Photographer April Nobile, uploaded by California Academy of Sciences. Owned by MHNG, Geneva, Switzerland.

Queen

Images from AntWeb

Solenopsis clytemnestra leda casent0103198 head 1.jpgSolenopsis clytemnestra leda casent0103198 profile 1.jpgSolenopsis clytemnestra leda casent0103198 dorsal 1.jpgSolenopsis clytemnestra leda casent0103198 label 1.jpg
Queen (alate/dealate). Specimen code casent0103198. Photographer April Nobile, uploaded by California Academy of Sciences. Owned by MHNG, Geneva, Switzerland.

Nomenclature

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

  • clytemnestra. Solenopsis clytemnestra Emery, 1896g: 87 (w.) BRAZIL (Rio Grande do Sul).
    • Type-material: lectotype worker (by designation of Pacheco & Mackay, 2013: 138), 1 paralectotype worker.
    • Type-locality: lectotype Brazil: Rio Grande do Sul (von Jhering); paralectotype with same data.
    • Type-depository: MSNG.
    • Emery, 1906c: 124 (m.).
    • Status as species: Emery, 1906c: 124; Bruch, 1914: 222; Emery, 1922e: 199; Borgmeier, 1927c: 103; Donisthorpe, 1933c: 534; Kusnezov, 1953b: 337; Ettershank, 1966: 140; Kempf, 1972a: 234; Zolessi, et al. 1988: 4; Brandão, 1991: 379; Bolton, 1995b: 386; Wild, 2007b: 36; Pacheco & Mackay, 2013: 135 (redescription).
    • Senior synonym of brasiliana: Pacheco & Mackay, 2013: 135.
    • Senior synonym of bruchi: Pacheco & Mackay, 2013: 135.
    • Senior synonym of leda: Pacheco & Mackay, 2013: 135.
    • Senior synonym of reichenspergeri: Pacheco & Mackay, 2013: 135.
    • Senior synonym of strangulata: Pacheco & Mackay, 2013: 135.
    • Distribution: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay.
  • brasiliana. Solenopsis brasiliana Santschi, 1925d: 235 (w.) BRAZIL (Bahia).
    • Type-material: lectotype worker (by designation of Pacheco & Mackay, 2013: 138).
    • [Note: original syntype series consisted of “several” workers; others are probably in NHMB.]
    • Type-locality: lectotype Brazil: Bahia (Bondar).
    • Type-depository: MCZC (lectotype).
    • [Misspelled as braziliana by Pacheco & Mackay, 2013: 135.]
    • Status as species: Borgmeier, 1927c: 103; Ettershank, 1966: 140; Kempf, 1972a: 234; Bolton, 1995b: 386.
    • Junior synonym of clytemnestra: Pacheco & Mackay, 2013: 135.
  • bruchi. Solenopsis clytemnestra r. bruchi Forel, 1912g: 6 (w.m.) ARGENTINA (Buenos Aires).
    • Type-material: syntype workers, syntype males (numbers not stated).
    • [Note: Pacheco & Mackay, 2013: 138, designate 3 paralectotype males, but do not designate a lectotype; perhaps an error of omission where a worker was meant to be designated as lectotype?]
    • Type-locality: Argentina: LaPlata (C. Bruch).
    • Type-depository: MHNG.
    • Santschi, 1933e: 115 (q.).
    • Subspecies of clytemnestra: Bruch, 1914: 223; Emery, 1922e: 199; Santschi, 1933e: 115; Ettershank, 1966: 140; Kempf, 1972a: 234; Bolton, 1995b: 386.
    • Junior synonym of clytemnestra: Pacheco & Mackay, 2013: 135.
  • leda. Solenopsis clytemnestra var. leda Forel, 1913l: 221 (w.) BRAZIL (Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo).
    • Type-material: lectotype worker (by designation of Pacheco & Mackay, 2013: 138), 5 paralectotype workers, 1 paralectotype queen.
    • Type-locality: lectotype Brazil: Rio de Janeiro, no. 17306 (von Ihering) (by restriction of Pacheco & Mackay, 2013: 138); paralectotypes with same data.
    • [Note: other original syntype locality: Brazil: São Paulo, no. 2299 (von Ihering).]
    • Type-depository: MHNG.
    • Subspecies of clytemnestra: Luederwaldt, 1918: 42; Emery, 1922e: 199; Borgmeier, 1927c: 103; Ettershank, 1966: 141; Kempf, 1972a: 234; Bolton, 1995b: 388.
    • Junior synonym of clytemnestra: Pacheco & Mackay, 2013: 135.
  • reichenspergeri. Solenopsis reichenspergeri Santschi, 1923c: 256 (w.) BRAZIL (Rio de Janeiro).
    • Type-material: lectotype worker (by designation of Pacheco & Mackay, 2013: 138), 3 paralectotype workers.
    • Type-locality: lectotype Brazil: Rio de Janeiro (Reichensperger); paralectotypes with same data.
    • Type-depository: NHMB.
    • Borgmeier, 1929: 211 (q.).
    • Status as species: Borgmeier, 1927c: 106; Borgmeier, 1929: 211; Ettershank, 1966: 143; Kempf, 1972a: 239; Bolton, 1995b: 390.
    • Junior synonym of clytemnestra: Pacheco & Mackay, 2013: 135.
  • strangulata. Solenopsis clytemnestra r. strangulata Forel, 1913l: 221 (w.) BRAZIL (Minas Gerais).
    • Type-material: lectotype worker (by designation of Pacheco & Mackay, 2013: 138), 2 paralectotype workers.
    • Type-locality: lectotype Brazil: Minas Gerais, no. 17194 (von Ihering); paralectotypes with same data.
    • Type-depository: MHNG.
    • Subspecies of clytemnestra: Emery, 1922e: 199; Borgmeier, 1927c: 103; Ettershank, 1966: 143; Kempf, 1972a: 234; Bolton, 1995b: 391.
    • Junior synonym of clytemnestra: Pacheco & Mackay, 2013: 135.

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

Description

Worker

Pacheco and Mackay (2013) - Measurements (n=9). TL 1.56-2.01 (1.84); HL 0.480-0.540 (0.507); HW 0.378-0.480 (0.428); EL 0.048-0.066 (0.058); ED 0.030-0.042 (0.035); SL 0.300-0.396 (0.345); FSL 0.102-0.150 (0.115); CI 75.9-92.9 (84.3); SI 62.5-77.4 (67.8); PL 0.090; PW 0.114-0.150 (0.128); PI 60.0-78.9 (70.7); PPL 0.114-0.120 (0.119); PPW 0.132-0.180 (0.151); PPI 66.7-86.9 (79.6); WL 0.360; PSL 0.036-0.048 (0.041); PSW 0.030-0.048 (0.035).

Moderately large; concolorous yellow to concolorous brown; head subquadrate, longer than wide, posterior border slightly concave, finely punctate; lateral clypeal teeth angulate to well developed, extralateral teeth angulate to absent; clypeal carinae weakly to well defined (both teeth and carinae vary with specimens); scapes long, extending ~ ¾ length of head to posterior lateral corner; eyes small, black with 5-7 ommatidia; notopropodeal suture well depressed, groove breaks sculpture of mesosoma; pronotum and mesopleuron smooth and shiny; metapleuron (and occasionally katepisternum) horizontally striated; propodeal spiracle large; petiole roughly equal in width to postpetiole, pyramidal, blunt node viewed dorsally; postpetiolar node rounded.

Hairy; erect and suberect hairs present on all body surfaces; scape with numerous suberect hairs of various lengths; dorsum of head, dorsum of mesosorna, petiole and gaster have several erect hairs.

Queen

Pacheco and Mackay (2013) - Measurements (n=1). TL 4.68; HL 0.648; HW 0.588; EL 0.198; ED 0.174; MOL 0.054; MOD 0.066; SL 0.450; FSL 0.180; CI 64.1; SI 49.0; PSL 0.078; PSW 0.072; PL 0.150; PW 0.240; PI 62.5; PPL 0.150; PPW 0.270; PPI 55.6; WL 0.960.

Moderately large, concolorous golden brown; head subquadrate, longer than wide, straight posterior border, finely punctate; lateral clypeal teeth angulate, extralateral teeth absent; clypeal carinae well defined; eyes large; scape does not reach posterior border of head; medial ocellus small; pronotum and mesopleuron smooth and shiny; metapleuron horizontally striated; posterior propodeal margin rounded, propodeal spiracle large; petiole thickened, wider than postpetiole viewed laterally; petiole lacking tooth or flange ventrally.

Moderately hairy, erect and suberect hairs of various lengths covering all body surfaces; suberect hairs on petiole and postpetiole curve posteriorly.

Male

Pacheco and Mackay (2013) - Measurements (n=3). TL 3.84-3.96 (3.92); HL 0.480-0.510 (0.498); HW 0.510-0.528 (0.520); EL 0.252-0.276 (0.266); ED 0.222-0.240 (0.234); MOL 0.084-0.096 (0.090); MOD 0.096-0.102 (0.098); SL 0.210-0.228 (0.216); FSL 0.900-0.960 (0.930); CI 102-106 (104); SI 41.2-47.5 (43.4); PSL 0.090-0.102 (0.094); PSW 0.096-0.108 (0.102); PL 0.138-0.144 (0.140); PW 0.252-0.258 (0.254); PI 53.5-57.1 (55.1); PPL 0.168-0.180 (0.176); PPW 0.300; PPI 56.0-60.0 (58.7); WL 1.08.

Moderately large, concolorous brown with yellow antennae; head wider than long, striated; eyes large, located anteriorly on head, extend 0.120 mm past lateral margin of the head; medial ocellus large; propodeal spiracle large; posterior propodeal margin rounded; petiole wider than postpetiole viewed laterally, both lacking tooth or flange ventrally.

Abundantly hairy; erect and suberect hairs of various lengths on all body surfaces; hairs on petiole and postpetiole curve posteriorly.

Type Material

Pacheco and Mackay (2013) - Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul, (lectotype worker Museo Civico di Storia Naturale, Genoa, 1 paralectotype worker [here designated], Ihering Museo Civico di Storia Naturale, Genoa). Solenopsis clytemnestra bruchi, Argentina, La Plata, (3 paralectotype males (Dr Bruch), Forel Coll. Musee d'Histoire Naturelle Genève). Solenopsis clytemnestra leda, Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, (lectotype worker and 5 paralectotype workers, 1 paralectotype queen, Forel coll. Musee d'Histoire Naturelle Genève). Solenopsis clytemnestra strangulata, Brazil, Minas Gerais, lectotype worker and 2 paralectotype workers, Coll. A. Forel Musee d'Histoire Naturelle Genève). Solenopsis reichenspergeri, BRAZIL, Rio de Janeiro, (lectotype worker and 3 paralectotype workers Naturhistorisches Museum, Basel). Solenopsis braziliana, Brazil, Bahia, (lectotype worker [here designated] Somet. M.C.Z.C. 1, 20945. Wm. M. Wheeler Museum of Comparative Zoology).

References

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

  • Borgmeier T. 1929. Zur Kenntnis der brasilianischen Ameisen. EOS. Revista Española de Entomología 5: 195-214.
  • Brandao, C.R.F. 1991. Adendos ao catalogo abreviado das formigas da regiao neotropical (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Rev. Bras. Entomol. 35: 319-412.
  • Cuezzo, F. 1998. Formicidae. Chapter 42 in Morrone J.J., and S. Coscaron (dirs) Biodiversidad de artropodos argentinos: una perspectiva biotaxonomica Ediciones Sur, La Plata. Pages 452-462.
  • Emery C. 1896. Studi sulle formiche della fauna neotropica. XVII-XXV. Bullettino della Società Entomologica Italiana 28: 33-107.
  • Emery C. 1906. Studi sulle formiche della fauna neotropica. XXVI. Bullettino della Società Entomologica Italiana 37: 107-194.
  • Forel A. 1913. Fourmis d'Argentine, du Brésil, du Guatémala & de Cuba reçues de M. M. Bruch, Prof. v. Ihering, Mlle Baez, M. Peper et M. Rovereto. Bulletin de la Société Vaudoise des Sciences Naturelles. 49: 203-250.
  • Kempf, W.W. 1972. Catalago abreviado das formigas da regiao Neotropical (Hym. Formicidae) Studia Entomologica 15(1-4).
  • Kusnezov N. 1978. Hormigas argentinas: clave para su identificación. Miscelánea. Instituto Miguel Lillo 61:1-147 + 28 pl.
  • Luederwaldt H. 1918. Notas myrmecologicas. Rev. Mus. Paul. 10: 29-64.
  • Pacheco J. A., and W. P. Mackay. 2013. The systematics and biology of the New World thief ants of the genus Solenopsis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Lewiston, New York: Edwin Mellen Press, 501 pp.
  • Pignalberi C. T. 1961. Contribución al conocimiento de los formícidos de la provincia de Santa Fé. Pp. 165-173 in: Comisión Investigación Científica; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (Argentina) 1961. Actas y trabajos del primer Congreso Sudamericano de Zoología (La Plata, 12-24 octubre 1959). Tomo III. Buenos Aires: Librart, 276 pp.
  • Santoandre S., J. Filloy, G. A. Zurita, and M. I. Bellocq. 2019. Ant taxonomic and functional diversity show differential response to plantation age in two contrasting biomes. Forest Ecology and Management 437: 304-313.
  • Santschi F. 1933. Fourmis de la République Argentine en particulier du territoire de Misiones. Anales de la Sociedad Cientifica Argentina. 116: 105-124.
  • Ulyssea M. A., C. R. F. Brandao. 2013. Catalogue of Dacetini and Solenopsidini ant type specimens (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae) deposited in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil. Papies Avulsos de Zoologia 53(14): 187-209.
  • Vittar, F. 2008. Hormigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) de la Mesopotamia Argentina. INSUGEO Miscelania 17(2):447-466
  • Vittar, F., and F. Cuezzo. "Hormigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) de la provincia de Santa Fe, Argentina." Revista de la Sociedad Entomológica Argentina (versión On-line ISSN 1851-7471) 67, no. 1-2 (2008).
  • Wild, A. L. "A catalogue of the ants of Paraguay (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)." Zootaxa 1622 (2007): 1-55.
  • Zolessi L. C. de, Y. P. Abenante, and M. E. de Philippi. 1988. Lista sistematica de las especies de Formicidos del Uruguay. Comun. Zool. Mus. Hist. Nat. Montev. 11: 1-9.
  • Zolessi L. C. de; Y. P. de Abenante, and M. E. Philippi. 1989. Catálogo sistemático de las especies de Formícidos del Uruguay (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Montevideo: ORCYT Unesco, 40 + ix pp.
  • de Zolessi, L.C., Y.P. de Abenante and M.E. Philippi. 1987. Lista sistemática de las especies de formícidos del Uruguay. Comunicaciones Zoologicas del Museo de Historia Natural de Montevideo 11(165):1-9
  • de Zolessi, L.C., Y.P. de Abenante and M.E. Phillipi. 1989. Catalago Systematico de las Especies de Formicidos del Uruguay (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Oficina Regional de Ciencia y Technologia de la Unesco para America Latina y el Caribe- ORCYT. Montevideo, Uruguay
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