Cyphomyrmex

A genus of fungus growing ants.

Identification
From Schultz et al (2002) :

Based on morphological characters, the genus is divided into two informal subgeneric groups, the strigatus and rimosus groups (Kempf, 1966). Preliminary data indicate that the strigatus group contains only mycelium cultivators and is probably plesiomorphic and paraphyletic with respect to the rimosus group. In contrast, the rimosus group contains both mycelium and yeast cultivators, is morphologically and behaviorally derived, and is likely monophyletic (Kempf, 1966; Schultz and Meier, 1995; Meier and Schultz, 1996; TRS, unpubl.).

Cyphomyrmex longiscapus is one of three species (along with Cyphomyrmex costatus and Cyphomyrmex wheeleri) that violate Kempf’s (1966) otherwise tidy bipartite division of Cyphomyrmex because these species combine morphological features of both subdivisions. Although the fungal cultivars of most Cyphomyrmex species are unknown, Kempf (1966) points out an intriguing preliminary pattern: The three species that combine the features of both groups are also the only species in the rimosus group that are known to cultivate mycelium gardens, whereas, so far as is known, all other rimosus group species cultivate yeast gardens.

Species richness
Species richness by country based on regional taxon lists (countries with darker colours are more species-rich). View Data



Nomenclature

 *  CYPHOMYRMEX [Myrmicinae: Attini]
 * Cyphomyrmex Mayr, 1862: 690. Type-species: Cyphomyrmex minutus, by monotypy.
 * [Type-species not Cryptocerus rimosus, unjustified subsequent designation by Wheeler, W.M. 1911f: 161. Type-species not Meranoplus difformis, unjustified subsequent designation by Emery, 1924d: 340.]
 * Cyphomyrmex junior synonym of Cataulacus: Roger, 1863b: 39.
 * Cyphomyrmex revived from synonymy: Mayr, 1863: 406.
 * Cyphomyrmex subgenus of Atta: Forel, 1912e: 188.
 * Cyphomyrmex revived status as genus: Emery, 1913b: 251.
 * Cyphomyrmex senior synonym of Cyphomannia: Kempf, 1962b: 29; Kempf, 1972a: 92.