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.[1][2] The species is native of the Brazilian states of Goiás and Minas Gerais.[3] Their larger and flatter legs, a trait common with other members of the genus Cephalotes, gives them their gliding abilities.[4]
| Cephalotes liepini | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Myrmicinae |
| Genus: | Cephalotes |
| Species: | C. liepini
|
| Binomial name | |
| Cephalotes liepini De Andrade, 1999
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The species was first given a description and a classification in 1999 by Brazilian entomologist Maria de Andrade, after a specimen was found in Alvorada do Norte in the state of Goiás.
The species shares a number of physical traits with Cephalotes kukulcan, and the name liepini is an anagram of pinelii, as according to De Andrade, Cephalotes pinelii is a close relative to Cephalotes liepini.
References edit
- ^ Latreille, P.A. (1802). Histoire naturelle, generale et particuliere des crustaces et des insectes. Vol. 3. F. Dufart, Paris. 467 pp. PDF
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Species Range Maps". Antmaps.org. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
- ^ De Andrade, Maria; Urbani, Cesare (1999). Diversity and adaptation in the ant genus Cephalotes, past and present (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Stuttgarter Beitraege zur Naturkunde Serie B (Geologie und Palaeontologie). pp. 401-405. Retrieved 27 January 2019.