Strumigenys jugis

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

Known from a few collections, one being noted as from litter sampling in rainforest.

Identification

Bolton (2000) - A member of the signeae complex in the Strumigenys godeffroyi-group. Among the Austral species of the godeffroyi-group jugis and Strumigenys juxta share the characteristic form and distribution of erect hairs outlined in their descriptions. The two are easily separated by the features mentioned in the key. The postpetiole disc, almost entirely smooth and shining in juxta, is usually at least partially sculptured in jugis. The metapleuron and side of propodeum, which has only a small smooth patch in jugis, is almost entirely smooth in juxta.

Keys including this Species

Key to Australian Strumigenys Species

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: -12.43° to -18.99°.


North Temperate	North Subtropical	Tropical	South Subtropical	South Temperate

Source: AntMaps

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Australasian Region: Australia (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.

jugis. Strumigenys jugis Bolton, 2000: 963, fig. 525 (w.q.) AUSTRALIA.

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 2.4, HL 0.62, HW 0.46, CI 74, ML 0.28, MI 45, SL 0.37, S I 80, PW 0.28, AL 0.62. With characters of signeae-complex. Inner margin of mandible with a narrow cuticular lamella between preapical tooth and base; margin of lamella shallowly convex, broadest at about its midlength where its width is less than half the length of the preapical tooth. Apicoscrobal hair short and stiff, straight. Cephalic dorsum finely and densely reticulate-punctate and with sparse, weakly elevated simple ground pilosity. Occipital margin with a transverse row of 4-6 short stiff erect simple hairs; a similar pair present just in front of highest point of vertex and usually another close to dorsolateral margin of occipital lobe. Maximum diameter of eye slightly greater than maximum width of the narrow subcylindrical scape. Pronotal humeral hair straight, stiff and simple; pronotal dorsum and mesonotum each with a single pair of stiffly erect simple hairs. Entire dorsal alitrunk finely and densely reticulate-punctate, the pronotal dorsum usually with superimposed fine longitudinal rugulae. Propodeal declivity with a very narrow lamella, little more than a carina, it posterior (free) margin closely paralleling the edge of the declivity. Katepisternum smooth; metapleuron and side of propodeum with a small smooth patch that occupies the upper portion of the former and lower portion of the latter. Dorsum of petiole node finely reticulate-punctate; disc of postpetiole at least partially sculptured, not entirely smooth (see under paratypes, below). Hairs on first gastral tergite erect, short stiff and simple. Basigastral costulae sharply defined, distinctly much longer than the disc of the postpetiole.

Paratypes. TL 2.2-2.4, HL 0.56-0.62, HW 0.41-0.46, CI 72-75, ML 0.27-0.28, MI 45-48, SL 0.33-0.37, SI 79-81, PW 0.25-0.28, AL 0.56-0.62 (6 measured). Sculpture of postpetiole disc variable. Usually there is weak shagreenate sculpture on part or most of the disc; this is usually overlaid by sparse longitudinal costulae, at least on anterior half of disc. Sometimes costulae more extensive and traverse the entire disc.

Dimensions of non-paratypic workers. TL 1.9-2.4, HL 0.54-0.62, HW 0.40-0.46, CI 72-76, ML 0.26-0.28, MI 45-48, SL 0.30-0.37, SI 75-83, PW 0.23-0.28, AL 0.50-0.62 (to measured).

Type Material

Holotype worker, Australia: Queensland, 11 km. ENE Mt Tozer, 12.43S, 143.18E, l1-16.vii.l986, Berlese ANIC 1062, rainforest litter (T. Weir) (Australian National Insect Collection). Paratypes. 3 workers with same data as holotype but ANIC 1063; 6 workers and 1 queen with same data but ANIC 1064; I worker with same data but ANIC 1065 (ANIC, The Natural History Museum).

Holotype, worker, 11km ENE Mt. Tozer, Queensland, Australia, Weir,T.A., ANIC32-017775, Australian National Insect Collection.
Paratype, 3 workers, 11km ENE Mt. Tozer, Queensland, Australia, Weir,T.A., ANIC32-017776, Australian National Insect Collection.
Paratype, 1 worker, 11km ENE Mt. Tozer, Queensland, Australia, Weir,T.A., ANIC32-017777, Australian National Insect Collection.
Paratype, 3 workers, 1 queen, 11km ENE Mt. Tozer, Queensland, Australia, Weir,T.A., ANIC32-017778, Australian National Insect Collection.
Paratype, 3 workers, 11km ENE Mt. Tozer, Queensland, Australia, The Natural History Museum.

References

Bolton, B. 2000. The ant tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute. 65:1-1028. (page 963, fig. 525 worker described)