Strumigenys depilosa

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

All of the databased specimens of this species show they were found in rainforest. Nine of these were obtained from litter samples with the tenth found in a rotten log.

Identification

Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys lujae-group. At first glance depilosa resembles Strumigenys lujae but apicoscrobal hairs and pronotal humeral hairs, universal in lujae and its close relatives, are conspicuously absent in depilosa. The divergent costulate sculpture of the pronotum is reminiscent of Strumigenys maynei but in that species the costulae are dense and sharply defined and the spaces between them are glossy. Also, the vertex has 2 or 3 pairs of standing hairs in maynei, not the single thick remiform pair characteristic of depilosa. Finally, the scapes are relatively longer in depilosa (SI 88-91) than in maynei (SI 73-83).

Keys including this Species

• Key to Afrotropical Strumigenys (as Pyramica)

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: 2.06889° to -2.283333333°.

North Temperate	North Subtropical	Tropical	South Subtropical	South Temperate

• Source: AntMaps

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Afrotropical Region: Cameroun (type locality), Gabon.

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. ‎

Nomenclature

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

• depilosa. Pyramica depilosa Bolton, 2000: 312 (w.) CAMEROUN. Combination in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 118

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 2.5, HL 0.60, HW 0.46, CI 77, ML 0.24, MI 40, SL 0.42, SI 91, PW 0. 37, AL 0.72. Mandibular denticles small and even to base. Upper scrobe margins in full-face view with narrow borders that peter out posteriorly at about the level of the eyes; apicoscrobal hair absent. Dorsum of head finely reticulate-punctate, with small spatulate appressed ground-pilosity and with a single pair of anteriorly curved long stout remiform hairs behind the highest point of the vertex. Pronotal humeral hair absent; pronotal dorsum with sparse inconspicuous narrowly spatulate ground-pilosity. Mesonotum with a single pair of erect stout remiform hairs. Pronotal dorsum with sparse, weak posteriorly divergent costulae, the spaces between which are finely reticulate-punctulate or shagreenate; the whole surface dull . Mesonotum , propodeal dorsum and declivity finely reticulate-punctulate; dorsal surface of petiole node and disc of postpetiole finely sculptured and dull. Sides of alitrunk finely sculptured except for katepisternum which is smooth and glossy. Petiole and postpetiole posterodorsally each with a single pair of stout remiform hairs, the first gastral tergite with similar remiform hairs.

Paratypes. TL 2.4-2.6, HL 0.57-0.60, HW 0.46-0.48, CI 77-81, ML 0.22-0.24, MI 38-42, SL 0.41-0.43, SI 88-91, PW 0.36-0.38, AL 0.68-0.72 (5 measured). As holotype but propodeal teeth variable in size even within the small type-series; in one paratype the teeth of different length on each side of the propodeum.

Type Material

Holotype worker, Cameroun: Mbalmayo, xi.1993, litter sample Heman 7 (N. Stork) (The Natural History Museum).

Paratypes. 5 workers with same data as holotype (BMNH, Museum of Comparative Zoology).

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 312, worker described)

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

• Bolton, B. 2000. The Ant Tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 65