Strumigenys bibis

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

The holotype worker was found under a log in a Eucalyptus woodland.

Identification

Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys emmae-group. The relatively long mandibles and scapes of bibis quickly set it apart from other members of the group; this is the only species whose exposed mandibles at full closure are longer than the maximum clypeal width. The mandibles, with MI 42, exceed the range of the other species, which have a combined MI of 26-36. The scape of bibis is not dorsoventrally flattened and is longer and more slender than any species except Strumigenys sutrix (SI 70-73); its SI is 72 and its SL about 6.0 X the maximum scape width. In the other species the scape is shorter, broader and strongly dorsoventrally flattened; combined SI range is 56-67 and SL is only about 3.0 X the maximum scape width, or less.

Identification Keys including this Taxon

Key to Australian Strumigenys Species

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: -13.18333333° to -13.18333333°.


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

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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Nomenclature

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

bibis. Strumigenys bibis Bolton, 2000: 950, fig. 519 (w.) AUSTRALIA.

Type Material

Holotype, worker, 9km NW Adelaide River, Northern Territory, Australia, Ward,P.S., ANIC32-017754, Australian National Insect Collection.

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 2.0, HL 0.55, HW 0.39, CI 71, ML 0.23, MI 42, SL 0.28, SI 72, PW 0.27, AL 0.54. Exposed length of fully closed mandible greater than width of anterior clypeal margin. Antenna with 4 segments; second funicular segment much longer than broad. Leading edge of scape quite evenly shallowly convex, the median third of its length not dorsoventrally flattened nor expanded into an obtusely angular prominence or lobe. Hairs that fringe the leading edge of the scape small, spatulate to narrowly spoon-shaped. Cephalic dorsum with narrowly spoon-shaped ground-pilosity that is strongly curved; without orbicular hairs. Pronotal humeral hair flattened, strongly expanded apically. Ground-pilosity of promesonotum spatulate to narrowly spoon-shaped; here and there with a few larger hairs that are more erect and more strongly flattened and expanded at the apex. Promesonotal dorsum with sculpture fai nt and largely effaced, finely superficially shagreenate. Disc of postpetiole entirely smooth; sides of disc in dorsal view not surrounded by projecting spongiform tissue. Standing hairs on first gastral tergite dense, short and stubbly, clavate apically. Basigastral costulae short, their length on tergite proper no greater than width of limbus, much less than length of postpetiole disc.

References

Bolton, B. 2000. The ant tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute. 65:1-1028. (page 950, fig. 519 worker described)