Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Cyphomyrmex rimosus (Spinola)
Orig. Comb: Cryptocerus rimosus Spinola, 1851
Identification
Similar to Cyphomyrmex minutus but larger and more widespread, with a deep hairless furrow on the dorsum of the postpetiole extending well into the first gastric tergite.
C. minutusC. rimosus
Please note that this trait apparently only works reliably in Florida and east of the Mississippi. There are a large amount of intergrades in this group from ~central Texas south to Brazil that have not been sorted out yet. -
U. Mueller pers. comm.
Range
TX-FL-NC (native to the Neotropics, adventive in the se US.)
Habitat
Leaf litter and other detritus, most often in disturbed areas/human habitat.
Food
A fungus grower, raises its yeast-like mutualist fungus on scraps of dead insects and frass.
Print References
Murakami, T. and S. Higashi. 1997. Social organization in two primitive attine ants, Cyphomyrmex rimosus and Myrmicocrypta ednaella, with reference to their fungus substrates and food sources. J. Ethol., 15: 17-25.
Kempf, W.W. (1966 (1965)) A revision of the Neotropical fungus-growing ants of the genus Cyphomyrmex Mayr. Part II: Group ofrimosus (Spinola) (Hym., Formicidae). Stud. Entomol., 8: 161-200.