Strumigenys konteiensis

Strumigenys konteiensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Formicidae
Subfamily:	Myrmicinae
Tribe:	Attini
Genus:	Strumigenys
Species:	S. konteiensis
Binomial name
Strumigenys konteiensis Lin & Wu, W.-J., 2001

Known from the worker holotype, collected from Kenting in southern Taiwan.

Identification

Lin & Wu (2001) - Easily distinguished from the other known species of the genus from Taiwan and East Asia by the long spoon-shaped hairs on the head, mesosoma, petiole, postpetiole, and gaster.

This species has not been assigned to a species group (Strumigenys species groups).

Distribution

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Oriental Region: Taiwan (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. ‎

Nomenclature

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

• konteiensis. Strumigenys konteiensis Lin & Wu, 2001: 161, figs. 8-10 (w.) TAIWAN.

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, 2.6 mm; HL, 0.67 mm; HW, 0.52 mm; SL, 0.40 mm; ML, 0.32 mm; FCD, 0.22 mm; PW, 0.37 mm; WL, 0.76 mm; CI, 78; MI, 49; SI, 77; FCI, 43; MSI, 49.

Head as in Fig., with microreticulate sculpturing, with numerous long spoon-shaped hairs on cranium; in full face view, dorsolateral corners of head posteriorly with a pair of long flagellate hairs. Mandibles hook-like, slender in full face view; external margin very shallowly and evenly convex; internal margin almost straight; preapical teeth prominently spiniform; apical fork with 2 spiniform teeth, and 4 intercalary denticles. Anterior clypeal margin transverse and broad. Antennae 6-segmented, in a ratio of 8.6: 2: 1: 1: 3.5: 6.9 in length from base; scape mircoreticulate, with a row of long spoon-shaped hairs. Eyes relatively small, 0.06 mm in maximum diameter, with 8 ommatidia.

Dorsum of promesonotum with microreticulate sculpturing, with numerous long spoon-shaped hairs and a pair of long flagellate hairs present on the dorsum of mesosoma. Mesopleuron and metapleuron smooth and shiny on most parts. Propodeum with long spoon-shaped hairs and microreticulate sculpturing. Propodeal lamellae well developed; posterodorsal corner rounded, not forming an angle in profile.

Petiole with microreticulate sculpturing, with numerous long spoon-shaped hairs and long flagellate hairs; peduncle long; node with convex dorsal margin in profile. Spongiform appendages of waist segments well developed.

First gastral tergite smooth and shiny, with numerous, long spoon-shaped hairs and sparsely, long flagellate hairs.

Body brownish yellow.

Type Material

Holotype, worker, Taiwan: Kenting, Pintung County, 16-ix-1996, (C. C. Lin.) (Type depository: National Taiwan University, Taipei).

Etymology

The specific epithet refers to the type locality. Kontei is an old name for Kenting.

References

• Lin, C.-C. and Wu, W.-J. 2001. Three new species of Strumigenys Fr. Smith (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) with a key to Taiwanese species. Formosan Entomologist. 21:159-170. (page 161, figs. 8-10 worker described)
• Tang, K. L., Guénard, B. 2023. Further additions to the knowledge of Strumigenys (Formicidae: Myrmicinae) within South East Asia, with the descriptions of 20 new species. European Journal of Taxonomy 907, 1–144 (doi:10.5852/ejt.2023.907.2327).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

• Guénard B., and R. R. Dunn. 2012. A checklist of the ants of China. Zootaxa 3558: 1-77.
• Lin C.-C., and W. J. Wu. 2001. Three new species of Strumigenys Fr. Smith (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) with a key to Taiwanese species. Formosan Entomologist 21: 159-170.
• Terayama M. 2009. A synopsis of the family Formicidae of Taiwan (Insecta: Hymenoptera). Research Bulletin of Kanto Gakuen University. Liberal Arts 17:81-266.
• Terayama Mamoru. 2009. A synopsis of the family Formicidae of Taiwan (Insecta, Hymenoptera). The Research Bulletin of Kanto Gakuen University 17: 81-266.
• Terayama, M. 2009. A synopsis of the family Formicidae of Taiwan (Insecta; Hymenoptera). The Research Bulletin of Kanto Gakuen University 17: 81-266.