Strumigenys dysanetes

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

Known from rainforest litter samples.

Identification

Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys mayri-group. Among the four species which lack a preapical mandibular tooth dysanetes is immediately isolated by its short mandibles and scapes. In dysanetes the indices are MI 38-41, SI 77-83, as opposed to a range of MI 44-51, SI 88-104 in Strumigenys anetes, Strumigenys orthanetes and Strumigenys paranetes combined. Other characters that differentiate these three from dysanetes include the propodeal lamella of anetes, which is concave in profile, the presence in orthanetes of a minute preapical denticle on the mandible and a pair of erect hairs on the pronotum, and the dark colour, smaller size and lack of a posteromedian depression in the cephalic dorsum in paranetes.

Keys including this Species

• Key to Australian Strumigenys Species

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: -15.03° to -15.0666666°.

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

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. ‎

Nomenclature

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

• dysanetes. Strumigenys dysanetes Bolton, 2000: 979 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

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 2.9, HL 0.88, HW 0.64, CI 73, ML 0.34, MI 39, SL 0.50, SI 78, PW 0.31, AL 0.76. Answering the description of anetes but differing as follows. Apicoscrobal hair stiff, straight or very shallowly curved. Cephalic vertex with a distinct posteromedian depression that extends from the occipital margin almost to the anteriormost pair of erect hairs. Standing hairs on first gastral tergite simple, sparse. Lamella on propodeal declivity broad, its posterior (free) margin convex. Mesopleuron, metapleuron and side of propodeum mostly sculptured, at most with small smooth patches but even these usually retain traces of superficial punctation. Basigastral costulae strongly developed, distinctly longer than disc of postpetiole.

Paratypes. TL 2.6-2.9, HL 0.76-0.91, HW 0.53-0.65, CI 70-73, ML 0.30-0.37, MI 38-41, SL 0.44-0.52, SI 77-83, PW 0.26-0.31, AL 0.66-0.76 (7 measured).

Type Material

Holotype worker, Australia: Queensland, 3 km. NE Mt Webb, 15.03S, 145.09E, 30.iv.-3.v.1981, Berlesate ANIC 721, rainforest litter, ANIC Ants vial 40. 130 (A. Calder & J. Feehan) (Australian National Insect Collection). Paratypes. 2 workers with same data as holotype; 6 workers with same data but Berlesate ANIC 723, vial 40. 152; 1 worker, Queensland, Mt Webb N. P., 15.04S, 145.07E, 27-30. iv.1981, Berlesate ANIC 715, rainforest litter, ANIC Ants vial 40.149 (A. Calder & J. Feehan); 3 workers with same data as previous but Berlesate ANIC 718, vial 40.154; 6 workers with same data as previous but Berlesate ANIC 717, vial 42.21 (ANIC, The Natural History Museum).

• Holotype, worker, 3km NE Mt. Webb, Queensland, Australia, Calder,A. & Feehan,J., ANIC32-017723, Australian National Insect Collection.
• Paratype, 6 workers, 3km NE Mt. Webb, Queensland, Australia, Calder,A. & Feehan,J., ANIC32-017724, Australian National Insect Collection.
• Paratype, 1 worker, Mt. Webb National Park, Queensland, Australia, Calder,A. & Feehan,J., ANIC32-017725, Australian National Insect Collection.
• Paratype, 3 workers, Mt. Webb National Park, Queensland, Australia, Calder,A. & Feehan,J., ANIC32-017726, Australian National Insect Collection.
• Paratype, 3 workers, Mt. Webb National Park, Queensland, Australia, Calder,A. & Feehan,J., ANIC32-017727, Australian National Insect Collection.
• Paratype, 3 workers, Mt. Webb National Park, Queensland, Australia, The Natural History Museum.

References

• Bolton, B. 2000. The ant tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute. 65:1-1028. (page 979, worker described)