Cephalotes

Cephalotes is a genus of tree-dwelling ant species from the Americas, commonly known as turtle ants. All appear to be gliding ants, with the ability to "parachute" and steer their fall so as to land back on the tree trunk rather than fall to the ground, which is often flooded.

==Ecological specialization and evolution of a soldier caste== One of the most important aspects of the genus' social evolution and adaptation is the manner in which their social organization has been shaped by environmental pressures. Because ants within Cephalotes use nesting cavities found in the trees upon which they live, most species have evolved a cohort of morphologically specialized soldiers, which defend these nesting cavities. They use their distinctive plate-like heads to block the entrances to the nests, essentially creating a living door to the nest cavities.