Taxonomic revision of the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex subterraneus (Forel, 1893)

Abstract

Leaf-cutting ants (genera Acromyrmex, Amoimyrmex and Atta) are the most important generalist herbivores in the Neotropical Region. The subspecies of Acromyrmex subterraneus are morphologically similar but differing from the other species of this genus. Acromyrmex subterraneus complex may be three non-described leaf-cutting ant species. The taxonomic revision of Acromyrmex subterraneus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and of three of its subspecies, A. s. brunneus Forel 1911, A. s. molestans Santschi (1925) and A. s. subterraneus Forel 1893 was made based on its workers and male morphology and genome sequencing with mt-COI and mt-COII. Acromyrmex molestans stat. n., Acromymex brunneus stat. n. and Acromyrmex subterraneus stat. n. are here raised to species. The results of this study contribute to the taxonomic knowledge and reaffirm the complex evolutionary history of leaf-cutting ants.