Strumigenys leptodeira

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

Nothing is known about the biology of Strumigenys leptodeira.

Identification

The only member of the Strumigenys leptodeira-group.

Keys including this Species

• Key to Strumigenys of East Asia

Distribution

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Indo-Australian Region: Malaysia (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

Expand 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.

• leptodeira. Strumigenys leptodeira Bolton, 2000: 858 (w.) WEST MALAYSIA.

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 3.1, HL 0.88, HW 0.70, CI 80, ML 0.38, MI 43, SL 0.43, SI 61, PW 0.41, AL 0.82. Length of preapical tooth distinctly less than maximum width of mandible. Dorsolateral margin of occipital lobe with a shorter laterally projecting flagellate hair posterior to the apicoscrobal hair. Cephalic dorsum with simple soft dense ground pilosity; anteriorly it is quite closely applied to the surface but posteriorly tends to be more elevated. Head appears to lack standing longer hairs of any form. Dorsal alitrunk with similar ground-pilosity and again longer standing hairs seem absent except for a pair on the pronotum, but most material is either abraded or coated with dirt; possibly more could be present in clean material. Gastral pilosity very reduced, see group diagnosis. Femora do not have erect hairs on their dorsal surfaces. Dorsal (outer) surface of hind tibia with one (may be two) erect long fine hairs that are however shorter than those on the basitarsus and are apparently easily abraded away. Dorsum of head extremely finely punctate-rugulose. Pronotal dorsum very weakly rugulose, side of pronotum very weakly superficially punctulate. Katepisternum, metapleuron and side of propodeum smooth. Petiole node in profile with a short steep anterior face and a longer, more shallowly sloping dorsum. In dorsal view petiole node broader than long.

The Sumatran specimens are approximately HL 0.90, HW 0.69, CI 77, ML 0.38, MI 42, SL 0.46, SI 67, PW 0.42, AL 0.88.

Type Material

Holotype worker, Malaysia: Pahang, Cameron Highlands, trail 9, 1400 m., 27.iii.1993, #21 (Lobl & Calame) (Musee d'Histoire Naturelle Genève).

References

• Bolton, B. 2000. The ant tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute. 65:1-1028. (page 858, worker described)

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

• Bolton B. 2000. The ant tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 65: 1-1028.