Strumigenys exunca

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

Nothing is known about the biology of Strumigenys exunca.

Identification

Bolton (2000) - A member of the emarginata complex in the Strumigenys emarginata group. Most closely related to the southern African Strumigenys robertsoni but distinguished by the reduced sculpture of the lateral alitrunk and numerous simple standing hairs close to the occipital margin that contrast strongly with the ground-pilosity.

Keys including this Species

Key to Afrotropical Strumigenys (as Pyramica)

Distribution

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Afrotropical Region: Cameroun (type locality), Ghana, Ivory Coast, Togo.

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.

exunca. Pyramica exunca Bolton, 2000: 302, figs. 202, 230 (w.) CAMEROUN. Combination in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 120

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 2.3, HL 0.65, HW 0.39, CI 60, ML 0.10, MI 15, SL 0.30, SI 77, PW 0.25, AL 0.64. Characters of emarginata-complex. With head in full-face view ground-pilosity of the dorsum of numerous small spoon-shaped hairs that are very conspicuous; these hairs slightly denser on the clypeal dorsum than elsewhere. Lateral margin of occipital lobe without projecting simple hairs but a n umber of curved spoon-shaped hairs may project beyond the outline. In profile the spoon-shaped ground-pilosity very distinct from clypeus to highest point of vertex but behind this with numerous finer simple hairs that are erect and weakly curved anteriorly, contrasting strongly with the ground-pilosity. Pronotal dorsum with distinct curved spoon-shaped hairs only. Mesonotum with very sparse spoon-shaped ground-pilosity and with 3-4 pairs of long standing hairs that are simple, slightly flattened or weakly remiform, and usually shallowly curved. Pleurae and side of propodeum with extensive smooth shining areas. Pronotal dorsum weakly sculptured, usually with faint longitudinal striae visible. Propodeal dorsum with vestiges of punctate sculpture.

Paratypes. TL 2.3-2.5, HL 0.64-0.70, HW 0.38-0.41, CI 59-61, ML 0.10-0.12, MI 15-18, SL 0.30-0.32, SI 77-80, PW 0.25-0.28, AL 0.64-0.70 (10 measured).

Type Material

Holotype worker, Cameroun: Pan Pan-Matamb, 70 km. S Yaounde, 10.xi.1988 (A. Dejean) (The Natural History Museum).

Paratypes. 10 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 302, figs. 202, 230 worker described)

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

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