Strumigenys morphica

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

A specimen was collected from a rainforest litter sample.

Identification

Bolton (2000) - A member of the elapoma complex in the Strumigenys lyroessa-group. For separation from Strumigenys elapoma see there. In dimensions and general appearance morphica bears a striking resemblance to Strumigenys liophila, the two together having longer scapes and femora and a narrower head than is usual in the group. S. liophila however has apical mandibular dentition characteristic of the lyroessa-complex and a smooth patch on the katepisternum.

Keys including this Species

Key to Strumigenys of East Asia

Distribution

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Indo-Australian Region: Borneo (type locality), Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines.

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.

morphica. Strumigenys morphica Bolton, 2000: 873 (w.) BORNEO.

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 2.3, HL 0.64, HW 0.45, CI 70, ML 0.18, MI 28, SL 0.32, SI 71, PW 0.28, AL 0.64. Characters of elapoma-complex. Upper scrobe margin with anteriorly curved small spoon-shaped hairs that are about the same size, or only slightly smaller, than those on leading edge of scape. Apicoscrobal hair short and inconspicuous, weakly expanded apically; posterior to this the dorsolateral margin without projecting hairs except for one or two small hairs at extreme apex of occipital lobe. Cephalic dorsum with a transverse row of short suberect hairs on the occipital margin; dorsum otherwise without standing hairs. Pronotal humeral hair short-remiform; pronotal dorsum otherwise without standing hairs. Dorsum of mesonotum with 3 pairs of short stiff erect remiform hairs. First gastral tergite with stiff suberect to erect short hairs that are weakly remiform. Dorsal (outer) margins of middle and hind tibiae without suberect projecting hairs. Lamella on propodeal declivity very narrow, its posterior (free) margin shallowly concave.

Paratypes. TL 2.3, HL 0.63-0.65, HW 0.44-0.45, CI 68-71, ML 0.18, MI 28-29, SL 0.30, SI 67-68, PW 0.28-0.30, AL 0.64-0.65 (2 measured).

Type Material

Holotype worker, Malaysia: Sabah, Crocker Range, 1350 m., 17.v.1987, no. 28a (Burckhardt & Lobl) (Musee d'Histoire Naturelle Genève). Paratypes. 5 workers, Malaysia: Sabah, Mt Kinabalu, 1140 m., 24.v.1987, no.40 (Burckhardt & Lobl) (MHNG, The Natural History Museum).

References

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

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

Pfeiffer M.; Mezger, D.; Hosoishi, S.; Bakhtiar, E. Y.; Kohout, R. J. 2011. The Formicidae of Borneo (Insecta: Hymenoptera): a preliminary species list. Asian Myrmecology 4:9-58