.jpg){kind=logo}
Mesostruma bella
| Mesostruma bella | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Myrmicinae |
| Tribe: | Attini |
| Genus: | Mesostruma |
| Species: | M. bella |
| Binomial name | |
| Mesostruma bella Shattuck, 2000
| |
|
Identification
This species is most similar to Mesostruma browni but differs as follows:
- 1. The posterior margin of the head is more deeply concave and its lateral corners are more sharply angular. In M. browni this margin is shallowly concave and the lateral corners are broadly rounded.
- 2. The sculpturing on the metapleural gland bulb consists of small, closely spaced punctures, sometimes with up to several weak rugae. In M. browni the sculpturing on the bulb consists of large fovae and irregular rugae.
- 3. The upper margins of the propodeal lamellae, in lateral view, are convex and the posterior margins have a very weak concavity just below the dorsal angles. In M. browni the upper margins of the lamellae are sinuate (convex basally, concave near the angle) and the posterior margin have a distinct concavity just below the dorsal angles.
- 4. Mesostruma bella averages larger (HW 0.72 mm to 0.84 mm) than M. browni (HW 0.62 mm to 0.75 mm).
Keys including this Species
Distribution
Latitudinal Distribution Pattern
Latitudinal Range: -30.36666667° to -35.35°.
| North Temperate |
North Subtropical |
Tropical | South Subtropical |
South Temperate |
- Source: AntMaps
Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia (type locality).
Distribution based on AntMaps
Distribution based on AntWeb specimens
Check data from AntWeb
Countries Occupied
| Number of countries occupied by this species based on AntWiki Regional Taxon Lists. In general, fewer countries occupied indicates a narrower range, while more countries indicates a more widespread species. |
|
Estimated Abundance
| Relative abundance based on number of AntMaps records per species (this species within the purple bar). Fewer records (to the left) indicates a less abundant/encountered species while more records (to the right) indicates more abundant/encountered species. |
|
Biology
Castes
Nomenclature
The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.
- bella. Mesostruma bella Shattuck, in Bolton, 2000: 48 (w.) AUSTRALIA.
Type Material
- Holotype, worker, junction of Braidwood and Captions Flat Roads, near Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia, 8 July 1971, Misko,S., ANIC32-010240, Australian National Insect Collection; from grass tussocks.
- Paratype, 2 workers, junction of Braidwood and Captions Flat Roads, near Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia, 8 July 1971, Misko,S., ANIC32-015702, Australian National Insect Collection; from grass tussocks.
Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description.
Description
Worker
HOLOTYPE. TL 3.9, HL 0.90, HW 0.84, CI 93, ML 0.36, MI 40, SL 0.48, SI 57, PW 0.58, AL 1.00. Head relatively broad (CI > 88), its posterior margin relatively deeply concave; eyes relatively large (maximum eye diameter/head length >= 0.19). Pronotum relatively wide (about 0.66-0.69 times mesosoma length), in dorsal view its anterolateral corners rounded. Dorsum of mesosoma with scattered, shallow foveolate punctures which are spaced more than their width apart, the area between the punctures smooth and lacking sculpturing. Propodeal lamellae with the dorsal margins convex, the posterior margins weakly concave, the angles between these margins acute, less than 90 degrees. Sculpturing on the metapleural gland bulb consisting of small, closely spaced punctures, occasionally with up to several weak rugae. Postpetiole expanded laterally and wing-like. First gastral segment immediately posterior of the postpetiole with short, irregularly spaced rugae. Body relatively large (maximum head width > 0.72mm), colour dark red-brown with moderate infuscation.
References
- Shattuck, S. O. 2000. Genus Colobostruma. Genus Mesostruma. Genus Epopostruma. Pp. 31-67 in: Bolton, B. The ant tribe Dacetini. Mem. Am. Entomol. Inst. 65: 1-1028 (page 63, worker, queen described)
References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics
- Bolton, B. 2000. The Ant Tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 65