Strumigenys minax

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

Some of the type material was collected from rainforest leaf-litter.

Identification

Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys yaleopleura-group. This is the only species in the group that has the postpetiole disc reticulate-punctate; in all other species, including those of the Malesian region, the disc is smooth. S. minax also differs from Strumigenys yaleopleura as the latter has a laterally projecting flagellate hair on the upper scrobe margin at about the level of the eye, as well as the apicoscrobal hair. Strumigenys lycosa lacks the long erect flagellate hairs on the tibiae that are so conspicuous in minax.

Keys including this Species

• Key to Australian Strumigenys Species

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: -11.61666667° to -15.0666666°.

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

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.

• minax. Strumigenys minax Bolton, 2000: 986, fig. 538 (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 1.9, HL 0.48, HW 0.39, CI 81, ML 0.18, MI 38, SL 0.22, SI 56, PW 0.23, AL 0.53. Apicoscrobal hair present, flagellate; without a similar hair anterior to this at about level of eye. Dorsolateral margin of occipital lobe, posterior to apicoscrobal hair, with a fine hair that arises on the dorsum but curves upward and outward and projects beyond the margin in full-face view. Pronotal dorsum with a pair of erect short flagellate hairs in addition to humeral hairs. Pleurae and side of propodeum smooth. Basitarsus of hind leg with 2 erect long fine flagellate hairs on its dorsal (outer) surface; two similar hairs present on dorsal (outer) surface of hind tibia; this pilosity repeated on middle leg. Hind femur with 2-3 erect simple hairs on dorsal surface. Propodeal declivity with a distinct broad lamella. Disc of postpetiole finely reticulate-punctate.

Paratypes. TL 1.8-1.9, HL 0.46-0.49, HW 0.38-0.39, CI 80-83, ML 0.18-0.19, MI 38-40, SL 0.22-0.23, SI 56-60, PW 0.23-0.24, AL 0.52-0.55 (5 measured).

Dimensions of non-paratypic workers. TL 1.8-1.9, HL 0.45-0.48, HW 0.37-0.38, CI 79-83, ML 0.18-0.19, MI 38-42, SL 0.21-0.22, SI 56-59 (5 measured).

Type Material

Holotype worker, Australia: Queensland, Mt Webb Nat. Pk, 27-30.iv.1981, ex ethanol, caught in yellow tray (I. D. Naumann) (Australian National Insect Collection). [Holotype is top specimen of 3 on pin.] Paratypes. 2 workers with same data a s holotype (on same pin); 3 workers, Queensland, 11 km. ENE of Mt Tozer, 12.43S, 143.18E, 11-16.vii.1986, Berlesate ANIC 1064, rainforest litter (7: Weir); 2 workers with same data as previous but ANIC 1062 (ANIC, The Natural History Museum).

• Holotype, worker, Mt Webb National Park, Queensland, Australia, Naumann,I.D., ANIC32-017738, Australian National Insect Collection.
• Paratype, 2 workers, Mt Webb National Park, Queensland, Australia, Naumann,I.D., ANIC32-017739, Australian National Insect Collection.
• Paratype, 3 workers, 11km ENE Mt. Tozer, Queensland, Australia, Weir,T.A., ANIC32-017740, Australian National Insect Collection.
• Paratype, 2 workers, 11km ENE Mt. Tozer, Queensland, Australia, The Natural History Museum.

References

• Bolton, B. 2000. The ant tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute. 65:1-1028. (page 986, fig. 538 worker described)

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

• CSIRO Collection