Phylogenetic History of Leaf-Cutting Ant Foraging Strategies

Andrés F. Sánchez–Restrepo's research compiles the predominant cutting behavior classifications for leaf-cutting ant species. The dataset supports phylogenetic analyses dating the origin of these ants to the early Miocene and major diversification to the late Miocene–Pliocene. It was last updated in April 2026.

Use Cases

• Reconstruct ancestral cutting states (dicot, grass, or mixed) across a time-calibrated phylogeny.
• Analyze the correlation between lineage diversification events in Acromyrmex and Atta with Miocene–Pliocene environmental changes.
• Test hypotheses on the independent evolution of grass-cutting strategies in Amoimyrmex and specific Acromyrmex clades.
• Model the evolutionary transitions between dicot, grass, and mixed cutting behaviors as a function of temporal habitat expansion.

Strengths

• Data is integrated into a time-calibrated phylogenetic framework with divergence times (e.g., Acromyrmex origin ~15 Ma).
• Ancestral state reconstructions are performed for a defined behavioral trait across major genera (Acromyrmex, Amoimyrmex, Atta).

Limitations

• The dataset is very small at 44.3 KB, indicating limited raw data or a summary table.
• Specific row counts and column names for the behavioral classifications are unknown.
• The sample is restricted to Neotropical leaf-cutting ant species, limiting geographic generalizability.

Provenance

Source

Andrés F. Sánchez–Restrepo via figshare.

Collection Method

Compiled predominant cutting behavior classifications for species and integrated into a phylogenetic framework.

Time Range

Evolutionary history from the early Miocene to present.

Freshness

Last updated in April 2026.

Geography

Neotropical ecosystems.