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Title: A Neotropical complex of Ripersiella species (Hemiptera, Coccomorpha, Rhizoecidae) collected from the nests of Acropyga ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)
We describe five new Neotropical species ofRipersiellaliving in association withAcropygaants:R. campensissp. nov.,R. illicianssp. nov.,R. montanaesp. nov.,R. pediandensissp. nov., andR. telaliasp. nov.We also redescribeR. andensisandR. colombiensisbased on type specimens and other collections. Together, these seven species form a morphologically similar group that we informally refer to as theandensis-complex ofRipersiella. All members of theandensis-complex are confirmed or are speculated to be mutualists ofAcropygaants. We discuss the implications of these associations and provide an identification key to the Neotropical species ofRipersiellathat are lacking bitubular cerores, including the new species.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1754242
PAR ID:
10560609
Author(s) / Creator(s):
;
Publisher / Repository:
Pensoft
Date Published:
Journal Name:
ZooKeys
Volume:
1123
ISSN:
1313-2989
Page Range / eLocation ID:
1 to 30
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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