Strumigenys comis

Strumigenys comis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Formicidae
Subfamily:	Myrmicinae
Tribe:	Attini
Genus:	Strumigenys
Species:	S. comis
Binomial name
	Strumigenys comis; (Kempf, 1959)

Nothing is known about the biology of Strumigenys comis.

Identification

Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys splendens-group. S. comis combines moderately expanded upper scrobe margins with a lack of alitrunk sculpture, lack of projecting hairs on the dorsolateral margins of the head but presence of such at the pronotal humeri. It separates from other taxa in the group as Strumigenys kompsomala, Strumigenys rugithorax and Strumigenys villiersi have long flagellate hairs projecting from the head dorsolaterally, freely projecting hairs on the tibiae and strong sculpture on the dorsal alitrunk. Strumigenys splendens has the preocular carinae fully exposed, the pronotum without margination and broadly transversely convex, and the humeri without hairs. In Strumigenys abditivata and Strumigenys dentinasis the preocular carinae are completely concealed in full-face view and each upper scrobe margin has two large fenestrae posterior to the small fenestra above the antennal insertion.

Keys including this Species

Key to Neotropical Strumigenys (as Pyramica)

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: -23.2508° to -23.366667°.


North Temperate	North Subtropical	Tropical	South Subtropical	South Temperate

Source: AntMaps

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Neotropical Region: Brazil (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.

comis. Gymnomyrmex comis Kempf, 1959d: 342, figs. 3, 5, 6, 9 (w.) BRAZIL. Combination in Pyramica: Bolton, 1999: 1672; in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 117. See also: Bolton, 2000: 232.

Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description.

Description

Worker

Bolton (2000) - TL 2.3-2.4, HL 0.66-0.68, HW 0.49-0.50, CI 74-76, ML 0.05-0.06, MI 7-9, SL 0.24-0.30, SI 55-60, PW 0.27-0.28, AL 0.62-0.66 (3 measured). With head in full-face view the extreme anterior portion of the preocular carina is visible, through the impression between clypeus and frontal lobe. Frontal lobes and frontal carinae broadly expanded, with a continuous outer margin that is convex, not sinuate. A small fenestra present over antennal insertion and another close behind it in the upper scrobe margin. Mandibles, clypeus and vertex unsculptured, frontal carinae shagreenate. Dorsolateral margins of head without freely projecting hairs of any form; cephalic dorsum without standing hairs. Pronotal dorsum transversely flat, marginate dorsolaterally, with a simple curved humeral hair. Mesonotum with 2 pairs of standing hairs. Alitrunk unsculptured. Short simple standing hairs present on waist segments and all over surface of first gastral tergite. Middle and hind tibiae without freely projecting hairs on their dorsal (outer) surfaces. With petiole in profile the dorsal length of the node only slightly greater than the height of the anterior face.

Type Material

Bolton (2000) - Holotype worker, BRAZIL: Santa Catarina, Serra Geral, xii.1958, no. 3003 (F. Plaumann) (Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Museum of Comparative Zoology) [examined].

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. 1999. Ant genera of the tribe Dacetonini (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Journal of Natural History. 33:1639-1689. (page 1672, combination in Pyramica)
Bolton, B. 2000. The ant tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute. 65:1-1028. (page 232, redescription of worker)
Kempf, W. W. 1959f. Two new species of Gymnomyrmex Borgmeier, 1954 from southern Brazil, with remarks on the genus (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Rev. Bras. Biol. 19: 337-344 (page 342, figs. 3, 5, 6, 9 worker described)
Kempf, W. W. 1960f. Miscellaneous studies on Neotropical ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Stud. Entomol. (n.s.) 3: 417-466 (page 452, catalogue)
Kempf, W. W. 1972b. Catálogo abreviado das formigas da regia~o Neotropical. Stud. Entomol. 15: 3-344 (page 116, catalogue)

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

Bolton, B. 2000. The Ant Tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 65
Kempf W. W. 1959. Two new species of Gymnomyrmex Borgmeier, 1954 from southern Brazil, with remarks on the genus (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Revista Brasileira de Biologia 19: 337-344.
Kempf, W.W. 1972. Catalago abreviado das formigas da regiao Neotropical (Hym. Formicidae) Studia Entomologica 15(1-4).
Rosa da Silva R. 1999. Formigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) do oeste de Santa Catarina: historico das coletas e lista atualizada das especies do Estado de Santa Catarina. Biotemas 12(2): 75-100.
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. R. F. Brandao. 2013. Catalogue of Dacetini and Solenopsidini ant type specimens (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae) deposited in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil. Papies Avulsos de Zoologia 53(14): 187-209.
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.