A Neotropical complex of Ripersiella species (Hemiptera, Coccomorpha, Rhizoecidae) collected from the nests of Acropyga ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

By

Schneider, Scott
Lapolla, John S

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2022

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

1123

Pages

1--30

Subjects

coccoidea , Mutualism , root mealybug , taxonomy , Trophobiosis

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1123.90141

 

Abstract

We describe five new Neotropical species of Ripersiella living in association with Acropyga ants: R. campensissp. nov., R. illicianssp. nov., R. montanaesp. nov., R. pediandensissp. nov., and R. telaliasp. nov. We also redescribe R. andensis and R. colombiensis based on type specimens and other collections. Together, these seven species form a morphologically similar group that we informally refer to as the andensis-complex of Ripersiella. All members of the andensis-complex are confirmed or are speculated to be mutualists of Acropyga ants. We discuss the implications of these associations and provide an identification key to the Neotropical species of Ripersiella that are lacking bitubular cerores, including the new species.