Strumigenys mesedsura

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

Known from the type collection, found in a rotten log in a rainforest.

Identification

Bolton (2000) - A member of the smythiesii complex in the Strumigenys godeffroyi-group. The extreme lobate development of the lower portion of the propodeal lamella in mesedsura is unique among Austral members of the smythiesii-complex. See also notes under Strumigenys friedae.

Keys including this Species

• Key to Australian Strumigenys Species

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: -19.3° to -19.5°.

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

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.

• mesedsura. Strumigenys mesedsura Bolton, 2000: 965 (w.) 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 2.6, HL 0.63, HW 0.45, CI 71, ML 0.30, MI 48, SL 0.39, SI 87, PW 0.26, AL 0.68. With characters of smythiesii-complex. Apicoscrobal hair flagellate. Cephalic dorsum sharply reticulate-punctate and with narrowly spatulate ground pilosity. A single short pair of erect fine hairs on cephalic dorsum, located close to midline near occipital margin; these hairs narrowly looped apically. Occipital margin closer to occipital corners may have 1-2 shorter stiffer simple hairs on each side. Eye of moderate size, with less than 20 ommatidia in total. Pronotal humeral hair flagellate, long and fine; pronotal dorsum otherwise without standing hairs. Mesonotum with a single pair of erect flagellate hairs anteriorly and a much shorter pair posteriorly. Pronotal dorsum with reticulate-punctate sculpture reduced in density and intensity at least medially, or partially effaced; sculpture distinctly weaker and less regular than on mesonotum. Posterior (free) margin of propodeal lamella engages propodeal tooth to its apex; below this the margin becomes concave on a level with the spiracle but then expands into a broad, strongly convex projecting lobe. Pronotum smooth laterally; katepisternum entirely smooth. Metapleuron and side of propodeum smooth except for periphery. Dorsum of petiole node finely reticulate-punctate; disc of postpetiole smooth. Hairs on first gastral tergite long and fine, flagellate.

Paratypes. TL 2.5-2.6, HL 0.63-0.65, HW 0.45-0.46, CI 69-71, ML 0.30-0.32, MI 47-50, SL 0.39-0.41, SI 87-89, PW 0.25-0.27, AL 0.67-0.70 (6 measured).

Type Material

Holotype worker, Australia: Queensland, Mt Elliot, 19.30S, 146.58E, 4-5.vii.1977, 1200 m., R.W. Taylor accession 77.194, ex rotting log, rainforest, ANIC Ants vial 29. 172 (R. W. Taylor) (Australian National Insect Collection). Paratypes. 11 workers with same data as holotype (ANIC, The Natural History Museum).

• Holotype, worker, Mt. Elliot, Queensland, Australia, Taylor,R.W., ANIC32-017737, Australian National Insect Collection.
• Paratype, 9 workers, Mt. Elliot, Queensland, Australia, Taylor,R.W., ANIC32-017736, Australian National Insect Collection.
• Paratype, 2 workers, Mt. Elliot, Queensland, Australia, The Natural History Museum.

References

• Bolton, B. 2000. The ant tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute. 65:1-1028. (page 965, worker described)