''Cephalotes membranaceus'' 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 ant
Gliding ants are arboreal ants of several different genera that are able to control the direction of their descent when falling from a tree. Living in the rainforest canopy like many other gliders, gliding ants use their gliding to return to the ...
s. The species is native of the
Brazilian states of
Rio de Janeiro and
Espírito Santo. Their larger and flatter legs, a trait common with other members of the genus ''Cephalotes'', gives them their gliding abilities.
The species was first given a description and a classification in 1824 by German
entomologist
Entomology () is the scientific study of insects, a branch of zoology. In the past the term "insect" was less specific, and historically the definition of entomology would also include the study of animals in other arthropod groups, such as arach ...
Johann Christoph Friedrich Klug.
References
membranaceus
Insects described in 1824
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