Strumigenys cabira

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

Specimens have been collected from rainforest in litter samples and from rotten logs.

Identification

Bolton (2000) - A member of the chroa complex in the Strumigenys scotti-group. S. cabira, Strumigenys balux and Strumigenys tegar are distinguished from other species in the chroa-complex by a short upper scrobe margin, absence of a pronotal humeral hair, and presence of a single pair of clavate hairs on the anterior margin of the mesonotum. S. cabira is separated from balux and tegar by the large gap between the bases of its mandibles; in dorsal view width of gap between mandibular lamellae at clypeal margin is approximately equal to width of mandible. In addition, the postpetiole disc is mostly shiny and only faintly punctulate, while in balux and tegar the postpetiole disc is distinctly reticulate-punctate. S. balux and tegar are best distinguished by size: HL 0.57-0.62 in balux and HL 0.75 in tegar.

Keys including this Species

• Key to Malagasy Strumigenys

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: -24.55° to -24.55°.

North Temperate	North Subtropical	Tropical	South Subtropical	South Temperate

• Source: AntMaps

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Malagasy Region: Madagascar (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

Expand 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.

• cabira. Strumigenys cabira Fisher, in Bolton, 2000: 673 (w.) MADAGASCAR.

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 2.8, HL 0.64, HW 0.48, CI 75, ML 0.28, MI 44, SL 0.43, SI 89, PW 0.31, AL 0.71. Characters of chroa-complex. Mandibles almost straight and at full closure parallel except at base. A narrow lamella present on inner margin of mandible that extends from base of mandible to proximal preapical tooth; in full-face view inner margin of lamella shallowly and evenly convex, tapering before reaching preapical tooth; width of gap between lamellae at clypeal margin approximately equal to width of mandible. Upper scrobe margin rounding into the sides of head near posterior margin of eye. Eye moderate, the maximum diameter approximately equal to maximum width of scape. Hairs on leading edge of scape short, spoon-shaped. Cephalic dorsum with curved spoon-shaped ground-pilosity, the upper scrobe margins fringed with a row of hairs which are the same shape and size as those on the dorsum. Cephalic dorsum with 4 clavate standing hairs arranged in a transverse row close to the occipital margin. Anterior margin of mesonotum with a pair of erect clavate hairs curved toward the midline. Ground-pilosity on alitrunk as on head. Posterior portion of mesonotum shallowly concave dorsally; propodeal dorsum sloping gradually to declivity. Propodeal teeth broadly triangular, lamellate, apex directed posteriorly; subtended by moderately developed lamellae. Dorsum of head, alitrunk, and petiole node reticulate-punctate with a granular appearance. Pleurae and sides of propodeum smooth except for peripheral punctures. Postpetiole disc shiny and faintly punctulate. In profile the petiole with a deep ventral spongiform strip and a small lateral lobe on the node. Ventral spongiform lobe on postpetiole a rounded, dorsally projecting triangle in profile, approximately equal to the exposed area of the postpetiole disc in profile. Lateral lobe of postpetiole large and lamellate. Base of first gastral tergite with fine costulae radiating on each side of a broad central clear area. Dorsal surfaces of petiole, postpetiole and gaster with stout standing clavate hairs. Colour dull yellowish brown.

Paratypes. TL 3.0, HL 0.66, HW 0.47, CI 71, ML 0.32, MI 48, SL 0.47, SI 101, PW 0.31, AL 0.81 (1 measured). As holotype.

Type Material

Holotype worker, Madagascar: 11 km. NW Enakara, Ris. Andohahela, 24°34'S, 46°50'E, 800 m., 17.xi.1992, sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood, rainforest #492 (15)-14 (B. L. Fisher) (Museum of Comparative Zoology).

Paratypes. 1 worker, Madagascar: 13 km. NW Enakara, Ris. Andohahela, 24°33'S, 46°48'E, 1250 m., 30.xi.1992, sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood, montane rainforest #561 (23)-4 (B. L. Fisher) (South African Museum).

References

• Fisher, B.L. 2000. The Malagasy fauna of Strumigenys. Pp. 612-696 in: Bolton, B. 2000. The ant tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute. 65:1-1028. (page 673, worker described)

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

• Bolton, B. 2000. The Ant Tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 65
• Fisher B. L. 2003. Formicidae, ants. Pp. 811-819 in: Goodman, S. M.; Benstead, J. P. (eds.) 2003. The natural history of Madagascar. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, xxi + 1709 pp.