Strumigenys miniteras

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

Nothing is known about the biology of Strumigenys miniteras.

Identification

Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys emmae-group. Close to Strumigenys emmae and Strumigenys sutrix but immediately differentiated from both by the presence in miniteras of erect simple hairs on the occipital margin , small slender hairs on the promesonotum that contrast strongly with the broad cephalic pilosity, and presence of longitudinal rugulae on the pronotal dorsum.

Identification Keys including this Taxon

• Key to Australian Strumigenys Species

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: -12.45° to -18.99°.

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.

• miniteras. Strumigenys miniteras Bolton, 2000: 952 (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 1.8, HL 0.46, HW 0.36, CI 78, ML 0.14, MI 30, SL 0.22, SI 61, PW 0.23, AL 0.44. Closely related to emmae and answering the description of that species except as follows. Preapical dentition of mandible consists of a spiniform preapical tooth and a low bluntly rounded tubercle or welt that occupies most of the length of the inner margin between the preapical tooth and the apicodorsal tooth. Orbicular hairs of cephalic dorsum large and conspicuous; dorsolateral margin of head with a remiform apicoscrobal hair present and also with a second, similar but smaller hair that is located more posteriorly, on the margin of the occipital lobe. Occipital margin of head with 2 - 4 erect hairs. Ground-pilosity of pronotal dorsum of small spatulate hairs, contrasting strongly with the large orbicular hairs of the head. Pronotal dorsum weakly punctulate and with fine and quite dense longitudinal rugulae; mesonotum reticulate-punctate. Disc of postpetiole smooth.

PARATYPE. TL 1.7-1.8, HL 0.44-0.46, HW 0.35-0.37, CI 78-82, ML 0.13-0.15, MI 30-32, SL 0.21-0.22, SI 59-61, PW 0.21-0.24, AL 0.42 - 0.46 (6 measured).

Type Material

• Holotype, worker, Mt Cook Natioanal Park, Queensland, Australia, Calder,A. & Feehan,J., ANIC32-017741, Australian National Insect Collection.
• Paratype, 3 workers, Iron Range, Queensland, Australia, Taylor,R.W. & Feehan,J., ANIC32-017742, Australian National Insect Collection.
• Paratype, 3 workers, West Claudie River, Iron Range, Queensland, Australia, Monteith,G., ANIC32-017743, Australian National Insect Collection.
• Paratype, 3 workers, West Claudie River, Iron Range, Queensland, Australia, The Natural History Museum.

References

• Bolton, B. 2000. The ant tribe Dacetini. Mem. Am. Entomol. Inst. 65: 1-1028 (page 952, worker described)

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

• Bolton, B. 2000. The Ant Tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 65