''Cyphomyrmex'' is a genus of fungus-growing ants found primarily in South and Central America. However, some species do come up to the southern portion of North America. They grow a variety of fungi in the tribe Leucocoprineae. Most fungal gardens are grown in small nodules, some species to cultivate entire mycelium, though. Colonies are

monogynous This is a glossary of terms used in the descriptions of ants. A B D E F G H M N O P Q R S T U W See also ...

and are relatively small with about 100 workers on average.

Taxonomy

This genus is within the subfamily ''

Myrmicinae Myrmicinae is a subfamily of ants, with about 140 extant genera; their distribution is cosmopolitan. The pupae lack cocoons. Some species retain a functional sting. The petioles of Myrmicinae consist of two nodes. The nests are permanent and ...

'' and the tribe '' Attini''. ''Cyphomyrmex'' is a more basal part of this phylogenetic relationship. With more recent phylogenetic studies, more derived genera are placed ahead of this genus, now making it sister to the genus ''

Mycetophylax ''Mycetophylax'' is a genus of fungus-growing ants. The genus is characterized exclusively for the New World and is only found on coastal sandy beaches and shallow waters of Brazil.D. C. Cardoso, M. P. Cristiano and M. G. Tavares. 2011Methodologi ...

''. The fungi that are grown by attine ants, like ''Cyphomyrmex'', follow similar diversification as their ant cultivators. Also, chemicals used throughout the attine ants are derived from one another. So, those used by ''Cyphomyrmex'' provided a base plan for more complex mixtures that are found in higher genera, like ''

Trachymyrmex ''Trachymyrmex '' is a genus of fungus-growing ants in the subfamily Myrmicinae. The genus is mainly tropical in distribution, with most species being found in Central and South America. The queens of the species appear to mate with only one ma ...

''. This helps to relate attine ants to one another and even separate species as chemical profiles can be particularly unique.

Description

Cyphomyrmex flavidus casent0005663 head 1

The frontal carinae on the head form a shield which is quite diagnostic for this genus. On the mesosoma, there are a series of blunt tubercles lining it. This genus is divided into two complexes, the ''strigatus'' and ''rimosus'' complex. The strigatus complex is limited to South America, while the ''rimosus'' complex ranges from southern North America to South America. Species in the ''rimosus'' group can be noted by their anteriorly open antennal scrobe and the five teeth on their mandibles. While strigatus has a closed anterior antennal scrobe with six or more teeth on the mandibles.

Life cycle

As with all ants, they undergo complete

metamorphosis Metamorphosis is a biological process by which an animal physically develops including birth or hatching, involving a conspicuous and relatively abrupt change in the animal's body structure through cell growth and differentiation. Some inse ...

. Their diet varies throughout development. Larvae: They are primarily

mycophagous Fungivory or mycophagy is the process of organisms consuming fungi. Many different organisms have been recorded to gain their energy from consuming fungi, including birds, mammals, insects, plants, amoebas, gastropods, nematodes, bacteria and othe ...

. They are commonly groomed by workers which promotes fungal growth on their integument. This fungal growth can take both the mycelial and yeast form. As larvae develop through multiple instars, they do not differ drastically in their morphology. The main, observable difference is that they become larger and more rotund as they age. Workers: As is found across genera, as ant workers age they progressively move out of the colony. Younger workers are primarily nurses, while older ones are foragers. They also assist with ecdysis for the larvae as they molt or emerge from eggs. In ''Cyphomyrmex'', workers are mostly

, like the larvae. Younger workers do receive sugary substances from older workers through trophallaxis. These older workers have the most diverse diet, consisting of sugary substances derived mostly from plants found from their foraging trips. Queens: Founding queens have a low level of fat reserves when compared to other genera. This is because they rely on their fungal gardens to provide these extra nutrients the first generation of workers will need. There is normally a monogynous colony structure within ''Cyphomyrmex''. The queen’s diet is primarily

, however some sugars are fed to her from the older, foraging workers.

Behavior

The ''rimosus'' group is known for their cultivation of nodules of fungus, also called yeast gardens. This type of growth is known for clusters of small patches of fungus on irregularly shaped nodules full of single-celled yeast-like cells. This type of growth is unique in association with ''Cyphomyrmex'' ants. So, it is thought of as a form of domestication for Leucocoprineaceous fungi as they naturally grow in the mycelium form.

Workers grow nodules of fungus, in the tribe Leucocoprineae, and they perform this in stages. First, workers will clean a portion of the ground and place insect feces, an old exoskeleton, or another organic item like a leaf. Then a worker will regurgitate fluids from her crop and add anal fluids. She then lets it dry on the surface. Other workers, or the same one, will repeat this process until the ball is about 0.8 mm. At this point, it is transplanted to where other nodules are growing with fungi. This new one is rubbed on established colonies and then placed on the ground, starting a new, small garden. Gardens can also be created hanging from roots on the ceiling of a nest, showing plasticity in the behavior of nest making. Workers also can have highly aggressive behavior towards unwanted guests. Specialized wasps in the family ''

Diapriidae The Diapriidae are a family of parasitoid wasps. These tiny insects have an average length of 2–4 mm and never exceed 8 mm. They typically attack larvae and pupae of a wide range of insects, especially flies. The about 2,300 described ...

'' parasitize larvae and can induce a relatively large mortality rate, with about 16% of all larvae being infected. Any newly emerged wasps found in the brood piles are almost immediately attacked.

Social chemistry

Most Cyphomyrmex species are found to contain 3-octanol. This is thought to act as an alarm signal across species. Traces of nonanal are also found within the genus. Another common chemical group are farnesenes. It contributes to trail following behaviors, and potentially more importantly, influences agriculture practices. Some of the nodule-making species contain low diversity and overall levels of farnesenes. While mycelium growers are found to have a high diversity of this chemical group in their gaster. The presence of farnesenes seems to be unique to Cyphomyrmex among the fungus-growing ants; however, other genera across the family '' Formicidae'' also possess it. Inquilines of ''Cyphomyrmex'' can influence the behavior of their hosts. As observed in host associations between ''C. cornutus'' and its social parasite ''

Megalomyrmex mondabora ''Megalomyrmex mondabora'' is a Neotropical species of ants in the subfamily Myrmicinae. Known from Costa Rica. In Costa Rica this species occurs in wet forest habitats, typically in mature rainforest. Collections are from sea level to 800 m ...

,'' alkaloids in the venom of the parasite cause less aggressive behavior in their host. Sometimes ''C. cornutus'' even plays dead when they are stung or in contact with their parasite, showing that the venom has evolved to not be extremely toxic to them and simply manipulate social behavior. The fungi that the ants interact with can also produce important chemicals. Some fungal gardens can produce

diketopiperazine A diketopiperazine (DKP), also known as a ''dioxopiperazine'' or ''piperazinedione'', is a class of organic compounds related to piperazine but containing two amide linkages. DKP's are the smallest known class of cyclic peptide. Despite their name, ...

s, which has antifungal abilities. This is through to either protect the fungi or the ants from other potentially harmful species.

Diketopiperazine A diketopiperazine (DKP), also known as a ''dioxopiperazine'' or ''piperazinedione'', is a class of organic compounds related to piperazine but containing two amide linkages. DKP's are the smallest known class of cyclic peptide. Despite their name, ...

s are thought to possess some antibacterial and antiviral abilities too.

Habitat

Common nest sites for species can range from in the soil, under rotting logs, within hollow and dead twigs. Some species have specialized nesting habits, such as ''C. longiscapus''. They create swallow nest-like structures that hang underneath overhangs. It is made of soil or clay. The main entrance leads directly to their fungal garden, which should leave them susceptible to

desiccation Desiccation () is the state of extreme dryness, or the process of extreme drying. A desiccant is a hygroscopic (attracts and holds water) substance that induces or sustains such a state in its local vicinity in a moderately sealed container. ...

; but they only live in moist habitats so their gardens remain wet. Some inhabit arid environments while others are in wetter conditions, like ''C. longiscapus''. Another species, ''C.'' ''transversus'', was observed nesting inside and around dry coconuts. Therefore, a variety of species can found colonies in a wide range of habitats and ecosystems.

Distribution

They range from Central South America, reaching as south as Argentina. They also reach up into North America, stretching from Texas up to California and even east to Florida.

Species

* ''

Cyphomyrmex andersoni ''Cyphomyrmex'' is a genus of fungus-growing ants found primarily in South and Central America. However, some species do come up to the southern portion of North America. They grow a variety of fungi in the tribe Leucocoprineae. Most fungal garde ...

'' Mackay & Serna, 2010 * '' Cyphomyrmex auritus'' Mayr, 1887 * ''

Cyphomyrmex bicarinatus ''Cyphomyrmex'' is a genus of fungus-growing ants found primarily in South and Central America. However, some species do come up to the southern portion of North America. They grow a variety of fungi in the tribe Leucocoprineae. Most fungal garde ...

'' Snelling & Longino, 1992 * ''

Cyphomyrmex bicornis ''Cyphomyrmex'' is a genus of fungus-growing ants found primarily in South and Central America. However, some species do come up to the southern portion of North America. They grow a variety of fungi in the tribe Leucocoprineae. Most fungal garde ...

'' Forel, 1896 * ''

Cyphomyrmex bigibbosus ''Cyphomyrmex'' is a genus of fungus-growing ants found primarily in South and Central America. However, some species do come up to the southern portion of North America. They grow a variety of fungi in the tribe Leucocoprineae. Most fungal garde ...

'' Emery, 1894 * ''

Cyphomyrmex bruchi ''Cyphomyrmex'' is a genus of fungus-growing ants found primarily in South and Central America. However, some species do come up to the southern portion of North America. They grow a variety of fungi in the tribe Leucocoprineae. Most fungal garde ...

'' Santschi, 1917 * ''

Cyphomyrmex castagnei ''Cyphomyrmex'' is a genus of fungus-growing ants found primarily in South and Central America. However, some species do come up to the southern portion of North America. They grow a variety of fungi in the tribe Leucocoprineae. Most fungal garde ...

'' MacKay & Baena, 1993 * ''

Cyphomyrmex cornutus ''Cyphomyrmex'' is a genus of fungus-growing ants found primarily in South and Central America. However, some species do come up to the southern portion of North America. They grow a variety of fungi in the tribe Leucocoprineae. Most fungal garde ...

'' Kempf, 1968 * ''

Cyphomyrmex costatus ''Cyphomyrmex'' is a genus of fungus-growing ants found primarily in South and Central America. However, some species do come up to the southern portion of North America. They grow a variety of fungi in the tribe Leucocoprineae. Most fungal garde ...

'' Mann, 1922 * ''

Cyphomyrmex daguerrei ''Cyphomyrmex'' is a genus of fungus-growing ants found primarily in South and Central America. However, some species do come up to the southern portion of North America. They grow a variety of fungi in the tribe Leucocoprineae. Most fungal garde ...

'' Santschi, 1933 * '' Cyphomyrmex dixus'' Snelling & Longino, 1992 * '' Cyphomyrmex faunulus'' Wheeler, 1925 * '' Cyphomyrmex flavidus'' Pergande, 1896 * '' Cyphomyrmex foxi'' Andre, 1892 * ''

Cyphomyrmex hamulatus ''Cyphomyrmex'' is a genus of fungus-growing ants found primarily in South and Central America. However, some species do come up to the southern portion of North America. They grow a variety of fungi in the tribe Leucocoprineae. Most fungal garde ...

'' Weber, 1938 * ''

Cyphomyrmex kirbyi ''Cyphomyrmex'' is a genus of fungus-growing ants found primarily in South and Central America. However, some species do come up to the southern portion of North America. They grow a variety of fungi in the tribe Leucocoprineae. Most fungal garde ...

'' Mayr, 1887 * '' Cyphomyrmex laevigatus'' Weber, 1938 * '' Cyphomyrmex lectus'' (Forel, 1911) * ''

Cyphomyrmex lilloanus ''Cyphomyrmex'' is a genus of fungus-growing ants found primarily in South and Central America. However, some species do come up to the southern portion of North America. They grow a variety of fungi in the tribe Leucocoprineae. Most fungal garde ...

'' Kusnezov, 1949 * '' Cyphomyrmex longiscapus'' Weber, 1940 * '' Cyphomyrmex major'' Forel, 1901 * '' Cyphomyrmex minutus'' Mayr, 1862 * ''

Cyphomyrmex morschi ''Cyphomyrmex'' is a genus of fungus-growing ants found primarily in South and Central America. However, some species do come up to the southern portion of North America. They grow a variety of fungi in the tribe Leucocoprineae. Most fungal garde ...

'' Emery, 1888 * ''

Cyphomyrmex nemei ''Cyphomyrmex'' is a genus of fungus-growing ants found primarily in South and Central America. However, some species do come up to the southern portion of North America. They grow a variety of fungi in the tribe Leucocoprineae. Most fungal garde ...

'' Kusnezov, 1957 * ''

Cyphomyrmex nesiotus ''Cyphomyrmex'' is a genus of fungus-growing ants found primarily in South and Central America. However, some species do come up to the southern portion of North America. They grow a variety of fungi in the tribe Leucocoprineae. Most fungal garde ...

'' Snelling & Longino, 1992 * '' Cyphomyrmex occultus'' Kempf, 1964 * ''

Cyphomyrmex olitor ''Cyphomyrmex'' is a genus of fungus-growing ants found primarily in South and Central America. However, some species do come up to the southern portion of North America. They grow a variety of fungi in the tribe Leucocoprineae. Most fungal garde ...

'' Forel, 1893 * ''

Cyphomyrmex paniscus ''Cyphomyrmex'' is a genus of fungus-growing ants found primarily in South and Central America. However, some species do come up to the southern portion of North America. They grow a variety of fungi in the tribe Leucocoprineae. Most fungal garde ...

'' Wheeler, 1925 * ''

Cyphomyrmex peltatus ''Cyphomyrmex'' is a genus of fungus-growing ants found primarily in South and Central America. However, some species do come up to the southern portion of North America. They grow a variety of fungi in the tribe Leucocoprineae. Most fungal garde ...

'' Kempf, 1966 * ''

Cyphomyrmex plaumanni ''Cyphomyrmex'' is a genus of fungus-growing ants found primarily in South and Central America. However, some species do come up to the southern portion of North America. They grow a variety of fungi in the tribe Leucocoprineae. Most fungal garde ...

'' Kempf, 1962 * ''

Cyphomyrmex podargus ''Cyphomyrmex'' is a genus of fungus-growing ants found primarily in South and Central America. However, some species do come up to the southern portion of North America. They grow a variety of fungi in the tribe Leucocoprineae. Most fungal garde ...

'' Snelling & Longino, 1992 * ''

Cyphomyrmex rimosus ''Cyphomyrmex rimosus'' is a species of higher Myrmicinae, myrmicine in the family Formicidae. It is part of the tribe Attini, or fungus-growing ants. Subspecies These two subspecies belong to the species ''Cyphomyrmex rimosus'': * ''Cyphomyrmex ...

'' (Spinola, 1851) * ''

Cyphomyrmex salvini ''Cyphomyrmex'' is a genus of fungus-growing ants found primarily in South and Central America. However, some species do come up to the southern portion of North America. They grow a variety of fungi in the tribe Leucocoprineae. Most fungal garde ...

'' Forel, 1899 * ''

Cyphomyrmex strigatus ''Cyphomyrmex'' is a genus of fungus-growing ants found primarily in South and Central America. However, some species do come up to the southern portion of North America. They grow a variety of fungi in the tribe Leucocoprineae. Most fungal garde ...

'' Mayr, 1887 * '' Cyphomyrmex transversus'' Emery, 1894 * ''

Cyphomyrmex vallensis ''Cyphomyrmex'' is a genus of fungus-growing ants found primarily in South and Central America. However, some species do come up to the southern portion of North America. They grow a variety of fungi in the tribe Leucocoprineae. Most fungal garde ...

'' Kusnezov, 1949 * '' Cyphomyrmex vorticis'' Weber, 1940 * ''

Cyphomyrmex wheeleri ''Cyphomyrmex wheeleri'', the fungus gardening ant, is a species of higher myrmicine in the family Formicidae. References Further reading * External links * Myrmicinae Articles created by Qbugbot Insects described in 1900 ...

'' Forel, 1900

References

External links

* {{Taxonbar, from=Q4036817 Myrmicinae