Cephalotes varians

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Cephalotes varians
Cephalotes varians casent0103755 profile 1.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Myrmicinae
Genus: Cephalotes
Species:
C. varians
Binomial name
Cephalotes varians
(Smith, 1876)

Cephalotes varians is a species of arboreal ant of the genus Cephalotes with the common name turtle ant. Characterized by an odd, shaped head that allows them to block the nest entrance holes and prevents enemies from gaining access to their nest, their ability to "parachute" by steering their fall if they drop off of the tree they are on also makes them one of several species known as gliding ants. When disturbed, they truck their antennae and legs beneath flanges on their head and body, crouch down, and freeze, thus passively resisting attacks. [1] [2]

In 2016, C. varians was included on a list of adventive ants established in North America. [3]

Related Research Articles

<i>Cephalotes</i> Genus of ants

Cephalotes is a genus of tree-dwelling ant species from the Americas, commonly known as turtle ants. All appear to be gliding ants, with the ability to "parachute" and steer their fall so as to land back on the tree trunk rather than fall to the ground, which is often flooded.

<i>Cephalotes atratus</i> Species of ant

Cephalotes atratus is a species of arboreal ant in the genus Cephalotes, a genus characterized by its odd shaped head. These ants are known as gliding ants because of their ability to "parachute" by steering their fall if they lose their footing.

<i>Cephalotes adolphi</i> Species of ant

Cephalotes adolphi is a species of arboreal ant of the genus Cephalotes, characterized by an odd shaped head and the ability to "parachute" by steering their fall if they drop off of the tree they're on. Also known as gliding ants. The species is native of Peru and of the Brazilian states of Goiás, Mato Grosso and Minas Gerais. Their larger and flatter legs, a trait common with other members of the genus Cephalotes, gives them their gliding abilities.

<i>Cephalotes guayaki</i> Species of ant

Cephalotes guayaki is a species of arboreal ant of the genus Cephalotes, characterized by an odd shaped head and the ability to "parachute" by steering their fall if they drop off of the tree they're on. As such they are considered one of the gliding ants. The species is native across the north of South America, from the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso in the north to Paraguay in the south. Their larger and flatter legs, a trait common with other members of the genus Cephalotes, gives them their gliding abilities.

<i>Cephalotes lanuginosus</i> Species of ant

Cephalotes lanuginosus is a species of arboreal ant of the genus Cephalotes, characterized by an odd shaped head and the ability to "parachute" by steering their fall if they drop off of the tree they're on. Giving their name also as gliding ants. The species is native of Paraguay and the north of Argentina. Their larger and flatter legs, a trait common with other members of the genus Cephalotes, gives them their gliding abilities.

<i>Cephalotes liepini</i> Species of ant

Cephalotes liepini is a species of arboreal ant of the genus Cephalotes, characterized by an odd shaped head and the ability to "parachute" by steering their fall if they drop off of the tree they're on. Giving their name also as gliding ants. The species is native of the Brazilian states of Goiás and Minas Gerais. Their larger and flatter legs, a trait common with other members of the genus Cephalotes, gives them their gliding abilities.

<i>Cephalotes maculatus</i> Species of ant

Cephalotes maculatus is a species of arboreal ant of the genus Cephalotes, characterized by an odd shaped head and the ability to "parachute" by steering their fall if they drop off of the tree they're on. Giving their name also as gliding ants. The species is native across most of the South and Central America, from the Mexican state of Tamaulipas in the north, to the Argentinian province of Tucumán in the south, making it one of the species with the largest native area in the genus Cephalotes Their larger and flatter legs, a trait common with other members of the genus Cephalotes, gives them their gliding abilities.

<i>Cephalotes marginatus</i> Species of ant

Cephalotes marginatus is a species of arboreal ant of the genus Cephalotes, characterized by an odd shaped head and the ability to "parachute" by steering their fall if they drop off of the tree they're on. Giving their name also as gliding ants. The species is native of the northern half of South America, especially Amazon basin, Ecuador and Colombia. Their larger and flatter legs, a trait common with other members of the genus Cephalotes, gives them their gliding abilities.

Cephalotes membranaceus is a species of arboreal ant of the genus Cephalotes, characterized by an odd shaped head and the ability to "parachute" by steering their fall if they drop off of the tree they're on. Giving their name also as gliding ants. The species is native of the Brazilian states of Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo. Their larger and flatter legs, a trait common with other members of the genus Cephalotes, gives them their gliding abilities.

<i>Cephalotes minutus</i> Species of ant

Cephalotes minutus is a species of arboreal ant of the genus Cephalotes, characterized by an odd shaped head and the ability to "parachute" by steering their fall if they drop off of the tree they're on. Giving their name also as gliding ants. The species is native of a large part of Central and South America, from the Argentinian region of Corrientes in the south, to the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, even to the American state of Texas in the north, making it one of the species with the largest native area of its genus. Their larger and flatter legs, a trait common with other members of the genus Cephalotes, gives them their gliding abilities.

<i>Cephalotes multispinosus</i> Species of ant

Cephalotes multispinosus is a species of arboreal ant of the genus Cephalotes, characterized by an odd shaped head and the ability to "parachute" by steering their fall if they drop off of the tree they're on. Giving their name also as gliding ants. The species is native of most of Central America, from the Mexican state of Nayarit in the north to Panama in the south. Dubious reports have also been made of the presence of the species in the American states of Texas and Illinois Their larger and flatter legs, a trait common with other members of the genus Cephalotes, gives them their gliding abilities.

<i>Cephalotes nilpiei</i> Species of ant

Cephalotes nilpiei is a species of arboreal ant of the genus Cephalotes, characterized by an odd shaped head and the ability to "parachute" by steering their fall if they drop off of the tree they're on. Giving their name also as gliding ants. The species is native of the Brazilian states of Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro. Their larger and flatter legs, a trait common with other members of the genus Cephalotes, gives them their gliding abilities and eases their arboreal movement.

<i>Cephalotes clypeatus</i> Species of ant

Cephalotes clypeatus is a species of arboreal ant of the genus Cephalotes, characterized by an odd shaped head and the ability to "parachute" by steering their fall if they drop off of the tree they're on. This ability has given them the name gliding ants.

Cephalotes cordatus is a species of arboreal ant of the genus Cephalotes, characterized by an odd shaped head and the ability to "parachute" by steering through a long fall; thus their alternative name, gliding ants. The species is native across the north of South America, from the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais to Venezuela, as well as in Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador. Their larger and flatter legs, a trait common with other members of the genus Cephalotes, gives them their gliding abilities.

<i>Cephalotes inca</i> Species of ant

Cephalotes inca is a species of arboreal ant of the genus Cephalotes, characterized by an odd shaped head and the ability to "parachute" by steering their fall if they drop off of the tree they are on. They are also known as gliding ants. The species is native to Ecuador and Peru. Their larger and flatter legs, a trait common with other members of the genus Cephalotes, gives them their gliding abilities.

Cephalotes insularis is a species of arboreal ant of the genus Cephalotes, characterized by an odd shaped head and the ability to "parachute" by steering their fall if they drop off of the tree they're on. Giving their name also as gliding ants. The species is native of Mexico, especially of the states of Jalisco, Nayarit and Sinaloa. Their larger and flatter legs, a trait common with other members of the genus Cephalotes, gives them their gliding abilities.

Cephalotes jamaicensis is a species of arboreal ant of the genus Cephalotes, characterized by an odd shaped head and the ability to "parachute" by steering their fall if they drop off of the tree they're on. Giving their name also as gliding ants. The species is native in Jamaica, the specimen that lead to its discovery was found in Kingston Their larger and flatter legs, a trait common with other members of the genus Cephalotes, gives them their gliding abilities.

<i>Cephalotes lenca</i> Species of ant

Cephalotes lenca is a species of arboreal ant of the genus Cephalotes, characterized by an odd shaped head and the ability to "parachute" by steering their fall if they drop off of the tree they're on. Giving their name also as gliding ants. The species is native of Nicaragua and Honduras. Their larger and flatter legs, a trait common with other members of the genus Cephalotes, gives them their gliding abilities.

<i>Cephalotes rohweri</i> Species of ant

Cephalotes rohweri is a species of arboreal ant of the genus Cephalotes, characterized by an odd shaped head, and the ability to "parachute" by steering their fall if they drop off of the tree they're on. Giving their name also as gliding ants.

<i>Cephalotes texanus</i> Species of ant

Cephalotes texanus is a species of arboreal ant of the genus Cephalotes, characterized by an odd shaped head, and the ability to "parachute" by steering their fall if they drop off of the tree they're on. Giving their name also as gliding ants. The species is native of Texas and of the Mexican states of Nuevo Leon, San Luis Potosí and Tamaulipas. Their larger and flatter legs, a trait common with other members of the genus Cephalotes, gives them their gliding abilities.

References

  1. Latreille, P.A. (1802). Histoire naturelle, generale et particuliere des crustaces et des insectes. Vol. 3. F. Dufart, Paris. 467 pp. "PDF" (PDF).
  2. Yanoviak, S. P.; Munk, Y.; Dudley, R. (2011). "Evolution and Ecology of Directed Aerial Descent in Arboreal Ants". Integrative and Comparative Biology. 51 (6): 944–956. doi: 10.1093/icb/icr006 . PMID   21562023.
  3. Wetterer, J. K. (2016). "Geographic distribution of Cephalotes varians (hymenoptera: Formicidae)". Florida Entomologist. 99 (4): 755–758. doi: 10.1653/024.099.0429 via BioOne Complete.