Strumigenys micrura

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

Nothing is known about the biology of Strumigenys micrura.

Identification

Bolton (2000) - A member of the lyroessa complex in the Strumigenys lyroessa-group. S. micrura appears closest related to Strumigenys imantodes (see notes under Strumigenys arrogantia). However, compared to imantodes, micrura is much darker in colour, distinctly larger (compare measurements) and has a petiole node that in dorsal view is about as broad as long rather than being transversely rectangular.

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

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.

micrura. Strumigenys micrura Bolton, 2000: 872 (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 2.7, HL 0.79, HW 0.61, CI 77, ML 0.22, MI 28, SL 0.34, SI 56, PW 0.36, AL 0.74. Characters of lyroessa-complex. In profile preapical tooth of mandible stouter and more strongly developed than apicodorsal tooth. Upper scrobe margin with a row of anteriorly curved small spatulate to narrowly spoon-shaped hairs. Apicoscrobal hair short, stiff and stout; dorsolateral margin of occipital lobe posterior to this with 4-6 similarly shaped but slightly shorter projecting hairs. Cephalic dorsum with standing hairs restricted to a stubbly transverse row along the occipital margin. Pronotal humeral hair short and stiff; pronotum otherwise without standing hairs. Mesonotum with 3 pairs of remiform to apically expanded short erect hairs, located along the dorsolateral margins. Lamella on propodeal declivity fine and narrow, with a shallowly concave free (posterior) margin; maximum width of lamella below level of spiracle is distinctly less than half the length of the propodeal tooth. Petiole node in dorsal view about as broad as long, not transversely rectangular. Erect hairs on first gastral tergite short and stiff, spatulate or expanded apically, distributed over the entire sclerite. Entirety of head and body black to blackish brown, more darkly coloured than is usual in the group.

Paratypes. TL 2.5-2.7, HL 0.77-0.80, HW 0.60-0.62, CI 77-79, ML 0.22-0.23, MI 27-29, SL 0.32-0.34, SI 53-55, PW 0.34-0.38, AL 0.72-0.75 (3 measured).

Type Material

Holotype worker, Malaysia: Pahang, Fraser's Hill, below Kuantun ridge, 1350 m., 17.iii.1993, #9 (Lobl & Calame) (Musee d'Histoire Naturelle Genève). Paratypes. 4 workers with same data as holotype (MHNG, The Natural History Museum).

References

Bolton, B. 2000. The ant tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institte. 65:1-1028. (page 873, 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.