The construction pattern and occupancy of Ectatomma vizottoi was described, during November 2004-August 2006 period, in Dourados, state of Mato Grosso do Sul by excavation of eight nests. The entrance openings, or exit, have an ellipsoid shape and lead to a wide tunnel, similar to a hall, which is connected to other deeper chambers in the nest. The nests reach up to 360 cm deep and contain three to ten chambers. Nests are constructed independently of plants and roots presence, and the soil of the tunnels and chambers are compacted, with specific compartments for colony deposit of detritus. The increase of the ant density led to an increase in nest depth and number of chambers, maintaining an average nest volume, which indicates a standard size for nest chambers.

background

http://www.scielo.br/pdf/rbent/v51n4/a14v51n4.pdf

Descrição de seis fêmeas do gênero Ectatomma Smith, 1858 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Ponerinae).

Modelo arquitetônico de ninhos da formiga Ectatomma vizottoi Almeida (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

The metapleural gland is an organ exclusive to ants. Its main role is to produce secretions that inhibit the proliferation of different types of pathogens. The aim of the present study was to examine the morphophysiological differences between the metapleural gland of 3 non–fungus-growing ants of the tribes Ectatommini, Myrmicini, and Blepharidattini and that of 5 fungus-growing ants from 2 basal and 3 derived attine genera. The metapleural gland of the non–fungus-growing ants and the basal attine ants has fewer secretory cells than that of the derived attine ants (leaf-cutting ants). In addition, the metapleural gland of the latter had more clusters of secretory cells and sieve plates, indicating a greater storage capacity and demand for secretion in these more advanced farming ants. The glands of the derived attine ants also produced higher levels of polysaccharides and acidic lipids than those of Myrmicini, Blepharidattini, and basal attines. Our results confirm morphophysiological differences between the metapleural glands of the derived attines and those of the basal attines and non–fungus-growing ants, suggesting that the metapleural glands of the derived attines (leaf-cutting ants) are more developed in morphology and physiology, with enhanced secretion production (acidic lipids and protein) to protect against the proliferation of unwanted fungi and bacteria in the fungal garden, it is possible that leaf-cutting ants may have evolved more developed metapleural glands in response to stronger pressure from parasites.

result

/pdf/morphophysiological-differences-between-the-metapleural-4adccpwhvt.pdf

Morphophysiological differences between the metapleural glands of fungus-growing and non-fungus-growing ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae).

https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2Fs13127-016-0302-6.pdf

Biogeography, cryptic diversity, and queen dimorphism evolution of the Neotropical ant genus Ectatomma Smith, 1958 (Formicidae, Ectatomminae)

We estimated the number of larval instars of the ant Ectatomma vizottoi (Ectatomminae), by measuring the maximum width of the head capsules of 208 larvae and the morphology ofthe immature stages (eggs, larvae and pupae) and adults. There are three larval instars during the post-embryonic development. The reproductive eggs are dark brown. Hairs are present beginning with the first instar, are uniformly distributed over the larval body, and do not vary in length in the three instars. Pupae are protected by a light-brown silk cocoon. Adults of the worker and queen castes can be differentiated by size.

Description of the Immature and Adult Stages of Ectatomma vizottoi (Formicidae: Ectatomminae)

/pdf/descricao-de-seis-femeas-do-genero-ectatomma-smith-1858-34npckydh2.pdf

Descrição de seis fêmeas do gênero Ectatomma Smith, 1858 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Ponerinae).

Citations

Modelo arquitetônico de ninhos da formiga Ectatomma vizottoi Almeida (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

Morphophysiological differences between the metapleural glands of fungus-growing and non-fungus-growing ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae).

Biogeography, cryptic diversity, and queen dimorphism evolution of the Neotropical ant genus Ectatomma Smith, 1958 (Formicidae, Ectatomminae)

Description of the Immature and Adult Stages of Ectatomma vizottoi (Formicidae: Ectatomminae)