Strumigenys lancea

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

Collected from a rotten log in montane rainforest.

Identification

Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys szalayi-group. The combination of unicoloured yellow alitrunk that is smooth laterally, and evenly claviform petiole, distinguishes lancea from the remainder of the group.

Keys including this Species

• Key to Strumigenys of East Asia

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: -5.3° to -5.3°.

North Temperate	North Subtropical	Tropical	South Subtropical	South Temperate

• Source: AntMaps

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Indo-Australian Region: New Guinea (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.

• lancea. Strumigenys lancea Bolton, 2000: 904 (w.q.) NEW GUINEA.

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 3.2, HL 0.88, HW 0.61, CI 69, ML 0.46, MI 52, SL 0.64, SI 105, PW 0.33, AL 0.89. With head in profile the postocular concavity in the vetrolateral margin very shallow and indistinct. Propodeal teeth not long and spiniform, length very obviously less than twice the distance separating their bases. Petiole in profile elongate and claviform, the node without a differentiated anterior face; dorsal outline of peduncle forms an uninterrupted inclined surface that grades gradually and evenly into the node. Dorsum of head finely reticulate-punctate, with traces of weak costulate sculpture on dorsa of occipital lobes. Pronotal dorsum feebly reticulate-punctate, very superficial in places. Side of pronotum, pleurae and side of propodeum almost entirely smooth and polished; a few weak punctulae present peripherally and on metapleuron. Disc of postpetiole very weakly punctulate to granulate, the sculpture almost effaced mid-dorsally. Basigastral costulae very short. Hairs on first gastral tergite sparse, similar to those on postpetiole. Head, alitrunk and waist segments yellow, gaster glossy dark brown.

Paratypes. TL 3.2, HL 0.86-0.87, HW 0.59-0.61, CI 69-70, ML 0.45-0.46, MI 52-53, SL 0.62-0.64, SI 102-105, PW 0.32-0.33, AL 0.88-0.89 (3 measured).

Type Material

Holotype worker, Papua New Guinea: 11 km. E Baiyer R. Sanct., 5.30S, 144.16E, 1900 m., 24.vi.1980, ex rotten log, montane forest, #4565 (P. S. Ward) (The Natural History Museum). Paratypes. 11 workers and 2 queens with same data as holotype (BMNH, University of California, Davis, Museum of Comparative Zoology) [more in alcohol in Australian National Insect Collection].

References

• Bolton, B. 2000. The ant tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute. 65:1-1028. (page 904, worker described)

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

• Bolton, B. 2000. The Ant Tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 65
• Janda M., G. D. Alpert, M. L. Borowiec, E. P. Economo, P. Klimes, E. Sarnat, and S. O. Shattuck. 2011. Cheklist of ants described and recorded from New Guinea and associated islands. Available on http://www.newguineants.org/. Accessed on 24th Feb. 2011.