Mycetomoellerius

Solomon et al., 2019

fungus-farming ants

Species Guides

Mycetomoellerius jamaicensis(Jamaican Fungus-farming Ant)
Mycetomoellerius turrifex(Turret Fungus-farming Ant)

Mycetomoellerius is a of higher attine fungus-growing ants comprising 31 recognized distributed throughout Central and South America. The genus was erected in 2019 based on molecular phylogenetic analysis, having previously been classified under Trachymyrmex. Mycetomoellerius occupies a phylogenetic position intermediate between lower attines and , and species have been extensively studied for their agricultural , reproductive , and social organization.

Mycetomoellerius turrifex by (c) Catherine C. Galley, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Catherine C. Galley. Used under a CC-BY license.

Mycetomoellerius by no rights reserved, uploaded by Philipp Hoenle. Used under a CC0 license.

Mycetomoellerius by (c) Blake Bringhurst, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Blake Bringhurst. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Mycetomoellerius: /ˌmɪsɛtoʊˈmøːləriʊs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from Trachymyrmex by molecular phylogenetic characters; are weakly polymorphic. -level identification requires examination of worker size, coloration, and —M. mikromelanos workers and queens are smaller and black, while M. zeteki are larger and red.

Images

Habitat

Nests excavated from soil, particularly creek embankments in the Panama Canal region; upper nest chambers documented in excavated colonies.

Distribution

Central and South America; confirmed records from Panama (including Barro Colorado Island and mainland 15 km southeast), Texas (USA), and Colombia.

Diet

Cultivate mutualistic fungus gardens; harvest plant material including fallen flowers, fruits, leaves, small twigs, seeds, and caterpillar to substrate the fungal cultivar.

Life Cycle

Colonies contain , male reproductives, and female reproductives (/queens). Non-inseminated queens may persist in colonies and perform worker-like tasks. Colonies excavated at the start of the wet season.

Behavior

Non-inseminated queens exhibit -like including foraging outside the nest, maintaining fungus gardens, digging nest floors, and guarding. show behavioral differences in activity level and exploration in novel environments.

Ecological Role

Higher attine fungus-growing ants engage in sophisticated agriculture cultivating mutualistic fungi; contribute to decomposition and nutrient cycling through plant material harvesting. actinomycete bacteria (Pseudonocardia) that produce against garden .

Human Relevance

Subject of extensive research on fungal agriculture, evolution, and social insect ; historical taxonomic confusion has led to misidentification in published studies, requiring literature clarification.

Similar Taxa

TrachymyrmexFormerly classified within this ; separated based on molecular phylogenetic analysis in 2019
AcromyrmexAlso higher attine fungus-growers, but Acromyrmex are with more pronounced and different foraging