Atta robusta

Barros et al. (2015) - Atta robusta, an endemic leafcutter ant of the ‘‘restinga’’ ecosystem (sandy open vegetation along the Brazilian coastline), occurs from northern regions of the state of Espírito Santo to the south of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is even one of the few ants of this genus endemic to the restricted area. The species was included in the list of threatened fauna, mainly because of the intense human occupation of the ecosystem in its region of occurrence, as well as because of the indiscriminate chemical use for control of the leafcutter ants. Furthermore, it is possible that plant cover removal from the restinga directly influences the temperature and humidity control necessary for cultivation of the fungus on which they feed. A. robusta plays a significant role in vegetation regeneration because it interacts with at least 36 plant species from the restinga of Guriri Island, state of Espírito Santo, throughout the year (reviewed in Teixeira et al. 2008). Because it does not exert any kind of economic impact and cannot be considered a pest, most of the studies conducted on this species are recent.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Brazil.

Genetics
Barros et al. (2015) - The diploid chromosome number observed for A. robusta was 2n = 22, and the karyotypic formula was 18m + 2sm + 2st. Heterochromatic blocks were observed in the centromeric region of most chromosomes, where one pair of metacentric chromosomes is characterized by a GC-rich heterochromatic band in the interstitial region of its long arm. The detection of 18S rDNA using FISH confirmed the presence of single NOR for A. robusta.

Nomenclature

 *  robusta. Atta sexdens subsp. robusta Borgmeier, 1939: 426, fig. 15 (w.q.m.) BRAZIL. Combination in Atta (Neoatta): Gonçalves, 1942: 348; Borgmeier, 1959b: 370; in Atta (Epiatta): Borgmeier, 1950d: 246. Raised to species: Gonçalves, 1942: 348. See also: Borgmeier, 1959b: 370.