Strumigenys lygatrix

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

Nothing is known about the biology of Strumigenys lygatrix.

Identification

The only member of the Strumigenys lygatrix-group.

Keys including this Species

Key to Neotropical Strumigenys (as Pyramica)

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: -25.7303° to -27.01833333°.


North Temperate	North Subtropical	Tropical	South Subtropical	South Temperate

Source: AntMaps

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Neotropical Region: Argentina (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.

lygatrix. Pyramica lygatrix Bolton, 2000: 204, figs. 141, 188 (w.) ARGENTINA. Combination in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 123

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 0.44, HW 0.35, CI 80, ML 0.09, MI 20, SL 0.20, SI 57, PW 0.23, AL 0.50. Head in full-face view with dorsolateral margins diverging more or less evenly posteriorly, without convexly bulging lateral margins to the occipital lobes. Basal lamella of mandible shining. In profile cephalic dorsum evenly convex from front to back. Eye large and conspicuous, with 5 ommatidia in the longest row and about 20 ommatidia in total. Petiole node in dorsal view broader than long. Lateral spongiform lobe of postpetiole aliform and projecting laterally, in profile a longitudinal strip of postpetiolar cuticle visible between the lateral and ventral lobes throughout the length of the segment. Dorsolateral margins of head fringed with short, anteriorly curved simple hairs; those on the lateral margin s of the frontal lobes longer than those on the frontal carinae. A somewhat longer straighter apicoscrobal hair present but it is not strongly differentiated from the surrounding pilosity. Cephalic dorsum posteriorly with numerous short suberect simple hairs. Dorsal alitrunk, waist segments and first gastral tergite with numerous to abundant short simple hairs that are erect to suberect; without bizarre pilosity. Dorsal (outer) surface of hind tibia with short suberect to erect freely projecting simple hairs, the longest of them shorter than the maximum tibial width. Clypeus and most of cephalic dorsum unsculptured, smooth and shining except for minute hair-pits. Expanded frontal lobes and frontal carinae shagreenate-striolate dorsally; dorsum immediately behind the frontal carinae with a narrow band of longitudinal costulae on each side that extends posteriorly to the apex of the occipital lobe. Dorsal alitrunk mostly smooth, with scattered short longitudinal costulae; sides of alitrunk smooth. Petiole and postpetiole dorsally smooth and shining. Basigastral costulae short and weak, arising on each side of a smooth mediobasal clear area; gaster behind this unsculptured

Type Material

Holotype worker, Argentina: Salta, Chaco Occidental, Los Colorados, ca 50 km. NE Joaquin V. Gonzales, 4.iii.1992, HR 2-4 (B. Bestelmeyer) (Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History).

References

Baroni Urbani, C. & De Andrade, M.L. 2007. The ant tribe Dacetini: limits and constituent genera, with descriptions of new species. Annali del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale “G. Doria”. 99:1-191.
Bolton, B. 2000. The ant tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute. 65:1-1028. (page 204, figs. 141, 188 worker described)

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

Silva R. R., R. S. Machado Feitosa, and F. Eberhardt. 2007. Reduced ant diversity along a habitat regeneration gradient in the southern Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Forest Ecology and Management 240: 61-69.
Silva T. S. R., and R. M. Feitosa. 2019. Using controlled vocabularies in anatomical terminology: A case study with Strumigenys (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Arthropod Structure and Development 52: 1-26.
Ulyssea M.A., C. E. Cereto, F. B. Rosumek, R. R. Silva, and B. C. Lopes. 2011. Updated list of ant species (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) recorded in Santa Catarina State, southern Brazil, with a discussion of research advances and priorities. Revista Brasileira de Entomologia 55(4): 603-611.