Strumigenys cenagra

Strumigenys cenagra
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Formicidae
Subfamily:	Myrmicinae
Tribe:	Attini
Genus:	Strumigenys
Species:	S. cenagra
Binomial name
	Strumigenys cenagra; Bolton, 2000 Specimen Labels

One of the three known collections of this species was made from a litter sample. Nothing else is known about this species.

Identification

Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys scotti-group. S. cenagra stands apart from other Afrotropical members of the group because of the dense sculpture on the metapleuron, side of propodeum and postpetiole disc. Coupled with this the first gastral tergite has relatively very long basigastral costulae and a loose pelt of appressed long pubescence on the sclerite.

Keys including this Species

Key to Afrotropical Strumigenys

Distribution

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Afrotropical Region: Sao Tome & Principe.

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

Explore Overview of Strumigenys biology

Strumigenys were once thought to be rare. The development and increased use of litter sampling methods has led to the discovery of a tremendous diversity of species. Many species are specialized predators (e.g. see Strumigenys membranifera and Strumigenys louisianae). Collembola (springtails) and other tiny soil arthropods are typically favored prey. Species with long linear mandibles employ trap-jaws to sieze their stalked prey (see Dacetine trap-jaws). Larvae feed directly on insect prey brought to them by workers. Trophallaxis is rarely practiced. Most species live in the soil, leaf litter, decaying wood or opportunistically move into inhabitable cavities on or under the soil. Colonies are small, typically less than 100 individuals but in some species many hundreds. Moist warm habitats and micro-habitats are preferred. A few better known tramp and otherwise widely ranging species tolerate drier conditions. Foraging is often in the leaf litter and humus. Workers of many species rarely venture above ground or into exposed, open areas. Individuals are typically small, slow moving and cryptic in coloration. When disturbed individuals freeze and remain motionless. Males are not known for a large majority of species.

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Castes

Nomenclature

The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.

cenagra. Strumigenys cenagra Bolton, 2000: 607 (w.) SÃO TOMÉ & PRÍNCIPE (São Tomé I.).

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 2.3, HL 0.63, HW 0.43, CI 68, ML 0.33, MI 52, SL 0.38, SI 88, PW 0.29, AL 0.62. Proximal preapical tooth on left mandible about equal to width of mandible, shorter than distance separating it from base of apicodorsal tooth and somewhat shorter than same tooth on right mandible. Outer margin of mandible evenly shallowly convex. Left distal preapical tooth just over half the length of the proximal. Scape subcylindrical, narrower than maximum diameter of eye. Preocular notch absent. Curved hairs that fringe upper scrobe margin small and slender, same as the cephalic ground-pilosity and slightly longer than the hairs on the leading edge of the scape. Katepisternum mostly smooth and shining; anepisternum, metapleuron and side of propodeum densely reticulate-punctate. Spongiform appendages well developed in profile: petiole with a conspicuous ventral curtain and lateral lobe; postpetiole with a broad lateral lobe and a broad deep ventral lobe. Postpetiole disc densely reticulate-punctate. Basigastral costulae dense and extend about half the length of the sclerite; spaces between the costulae shagreenate. First gastral tergite with stiff erect simple hairs, the surface of the sclerite with dense appressed pubescence; the pubescent hairs are quite long and very conspicuous, forming a loose pelt between the insertions of the erect main pilosity.

Type Material

Holotype worker, Sao Tome & Principe: Sao Tome I., Born Successo, Aerial, 6-7.vi.1999 (A. Polaszek) (The Natural History Museum).

References

Bolton, B. 2000. The ant tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute. 65:1-1028. (page 607, worker described)

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

Bolton, B. 2000. The Ant Tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 65