Strumigenys lycosa

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

Known from a few rainforest litter-sample collections.

Identification

Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys yaleopleura-group. S. lycosa separates easily from the other two Austral species of the group as Strumigenys minax has the disc of the postpetiole reticulate-punctate whilst Strumigenys yaleopleura has a laterally projecting flagellate hair on the upper scrobe margin at about the level of the eye (as well as one in apicoscrobal position). In addition, both minax and yaleopleura have projecting flagellate hairs on the dorsal (outer) surfaces of the middle and hind tibiae; such hairs are absent in lycosa.

Keys including this Species

Key to Australian Strumigenys Species

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: -11.61666679° to -17.61666667°.


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.

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Castes

Nomenclature

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

lycosa. Strumigenys lycosa Bolton, 2000: 985, fig. 537 (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 1.9, HL 0.47, HW 0.37, CI 79, ML 0.18, MI 38, SL 0.22, SI 59, PW 0.22, AL 0.50. Apicoscrobal hair present; without a similar hair anterior to this at about level of eye. Pronotal dorsum with a pair of short flagellate hairs in addition to humeral hairs. Pleurae and side of propodeum smooth. Basitarsi of middle and hind leg each with one or two long fine erect flagellate hair on its dorsal (outer) surface; without such hairs on dorsal (outer) surfaces of middle and hind tibia. Hind femur without stiffly erect simple hairs on dorsal surface. Propodeal declivity with a narrow but distinct lamella, the posterior (free) margin of which is extremely feebly concave. Disc of postpetiole smooth and shining.

Paratype. TL 1.9, HL 0.48, HW 0.38, CI 79, ML 0.19, MI 40, SL 0.23, SI 60, PW 0.22, AL 0.50.

Type Material

Holotype worker, Australia: Queensland, Crawfords Lookout, Palmerston Nat. Pk, 1100 ft, 10.vi.1962, Taylor Ace. 1506 (R. W. Taylor) (Australian National Insect Collection). Paratype. 1 worker, Australia: Queensland, NE, Emerald Creek, Lamb Range, 11.x.1982, QM Berlesate No. 466, 17.06S, 145.37E, 950 m., rainforest, stick brushing (Monteith, Yeates & Thompson) (The Natural History Museum).

Holotype, worker, Crawfords Lookout, Palmerston National Park, Queensland, Australia, Taylor,R.W., ANIC32-017735, Australian National Insect Collection.
Paratype, 1 worker, Emerald Creek, Lamb Range, Queensland, Australia, The Natural History Museum.

References

Bolton, B. 2000. The ant tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute. 65:1-1028. (page 985, fig. 537 worker described)

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

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