Strumigenys decollata

Strumigenys decollata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Formicidae
Subfamily:	Myrmicinae
Tribe:	Attini
Genus:	Strumigenys
Species:	S. decollata
Binomial name
	Strumigenys decollata; Mann, 1919 Specimen Labels Strumigenys decollata group

Nothing is known about the biology of Strumigenys decollata.

Identification

Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys decollata-group. This species and Strumigenys praecollata are obviously closely related , but the differently shaped petiole nodes and contrasting cephalic sculptures quickly separate them.

Keys including this Species

Key to Strumigenys of East Asia

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: -8° to -8°.


North Temperate	North Subtropical	Tropical	South Subtropical	South Temperate

Source: AntMaps

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Indo-Australian Region: Solomon Islands (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.

decollata. Strumigenys decollata Mann, 1919: 353, figs. 32, 33 (w.m.) SOLOMON IS. See also: Brown, 1958i: 109; Bolton, 2000: 772.

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

Description

Worker

TL 4.2, HL 1.14, HW 0.69, CI 60, ML 0.66, MI 58, SL 0.60, SI 87, PW 0.42, AL 1.10. Spiniform distal preapical tooth located at about one-third the mandible length from the apicodorsal tooth, the small proximal preapical tooth located at about onethird the mandible length from the base; distal preapical tooth about 5 times longer than proximal tooth. Distance between apicodorsal tooth and distal preapical tooth slightly less than distance between distal and proximal preapical teeth. Anterior clypeal margin deeply concave. Propodeal teeth triangular, broad basally but short; propodeal tooth distinctly larger than proximal preapical tooth on mandible. With petiole in profile the node with a short but distinctly differentiated anterior face; the long, shallowly curved dorsum of the node is about 3.5 X the height of the anterior face. Petiole node in dorsal view about 1.5 X longer than broad (discounting posterior collar). Head without a pair of erect hairs at highest point of vertex, without ground-pilosity. Dorsal surfaces of alitrunk, petiole and first gastral tergite without ground-pilosity. Cephalic dorsum with feeble superficial shagreening; dorsal alitrunk almost smooth, pronotum with faintest vestiges of superficial sculpture.

Male

Brown (1958) - From type series, MCZ: TL 3.2 mm. Color now is deep ferruginous; head deeply, alitrunk dorsum lightly, infuscated; legs and antennae sordid yellowish. Notauli complete and deep; parapsidal furrows present; no propodeal teeth. Nodes shaped as in worker, smooth and shining, but spongiform appendages and basigastric costulae obsolete. Mandibles not "bidentate," but with an expanded, convex inner margin basally and a single straight, acute apical tooth. Fore-wing venation much reduced, with .only R + Sc to pterostigma, stigma itself and 2r defined, and these scarcely pigmented. Few other veins represented by indistinct colorless furrows. Both wings glassy and clear, with very few microtrichia, especially near bases; hindwing with 4 subapical hamuli.

Type Material

Lectotype worker (designated by Brown, 1958g: 110), and paralectotype worker and male , SOLOMON IS: Ysabel, Fulakora (W. M. Mann) (Museum of Comparative Zoology) [examined].

References

Bolton, B. 2000. The ant tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute. 65:1-1028. (page 772, redescription of worker)
Brown, W. L., Jr. 1958i [1957]. The Indo-Australian species of the ant genus Strumigenys Fr. Smith S. decollata Mann and S. ecliptacoca new species. Psyche. 64:109-114. (page 110, redescription of worker and male)
Mann, W. M. 1919. The ants of the British Solomon Islands. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 63: 273-391 (page 353, figs. 32, 33 worker, male described)
Wheeler, W. M. 1935g. Check list of the ants of Oceania. Occas. Pap. Bernice P. Bishop Mus. 11(1 11: 1-56 (page 32, checklist)

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

Bolton, B. 2000. The Ant Tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 65
Brown W. L., Jr. 1958. The Indo-Australian species of the ant genus Strumigenys Fr. Smith: S. decollata Mann and S. ecliptacoca new species. Psyche (Camb.) 64: 109-114.
Mann W. M. 1919. The ants of the British Solomon Islands. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 63:273-391.
Mann William. 1916. The Ants of the British Solomon Islands. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College 63(7): 273-391
Mann, W.M. 1919. The ants of the British Solomon Islands. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology of Harvard College 63: 273-391
Wheeler W.M. 1935. Check list of the ants of Oceania. Occasional Papers of the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum 11(11):1-56.
Wheeler, William Morton.1935.Checklist of the Ants of Oceania.Occasional Papers 11(11): 3-56