Strumigenys mirifica

AntWiki: The Ants --- Online
Strumigenys mirifica
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Subfamily: Myrmicinae
Tribe: Attini
Genus: Strumigenys
Species: S. mirifica
Binomial name
Strumigenys mirifica
Bolton, 2000

Strumigenys mirifica casent0102576 profile 1.jpg

Strumigenys mirifica casent0102576 dorsal 1.jpg

Specimen labels

Nothing is known about the biology of Strumigenys mirifica.

Identification

Bolton (2000) - A member of the doriae complex in the Strumigenys doriae-group. For notes on the isolation of this species see under Strumigenys doriae.

Keys including this Species

Distribution

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Indo-Australian Region: Philippines (type locality).

Distribution based on AntMaps

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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.
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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.
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Biology

Explore-icon.png 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.

Castes

MCZ ENT Strumigenys mirifica hef2.jpgMCZ ENT Strumigenys mirifica hal2.jpgMCZ ENT Strumigenys mirifica had2.jpgMCZ ENT Strumigenys mirifica lbs2.jpg
. Owned by Museum of Comparative Zoology.

Nomenclature

The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.

  • mirifica. Strumigenys mirifica Bolton, 2000: 777 (w.) PHILIPPINES.

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 3.4, HL 0.92, HW 0.64, CI 70, ML 0.50, MI 54, SL 0.58, SI 91, PW 0.35, AL 0.97. Mandible with a small triangular preapical tooth in the distal quarter. In anterior view apical fork of mandible forming a V-shape or very narrow-based U-shape, the dorsal tooth distinctly longer than the ventral. Lateral spongiform lobe of petiole long, tapering anteriorly in dorsal view or in profile, but extending forward to the level of the spiracle on the peduncle. Postpetiole finely and densely reticulate-punctate. Dorsolateral margin of head with 5 or more long fine hairs and a number of shorter simple hairs that freely project laterally; apicoscrobal hair usually slightly longer than any of the other main projecting hairs, its length about 0.35 X SL. With head in profile no long erect hairs arise from the dorsum in front of the highest point of the vertex; a few long erect hairs arise between the highest point and the occipital margin, the longest of which is shorter than the maximum depth of the head capsule. Longest hairs on first gastral tergite slightly shorter than length of tergite from base of limbus to apex and slightly shorter than the maximum depth of the first gastral segment in profile.

Paratypes. TL 3.7, HL 0.98, HW 0.71, CI 72, ML 0.55, MI 55, SL 0.64, SI 90, PW 0.40, AL 1.06 (2 measured). Somewhat larger than holotype; one pale, lacking full adult colour.

Type Material

Holotype worker, Philippines: Luzon, Mt Makiling, 21.xi.1995 (I. Lobl) (Musee d'Histoire Naturelle Genève).

Paratypes. 2 workers with same data as holotype (MHNG, The Natural History Museum, Museum of Comparative Zoology).

References

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