Strumigenys necopina

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

A specimen of this species was collected in a rainforest litter-sample.

Identification

Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys schulzi-group. Closely related to Strumigenys microthrix and its allies. The pilosity and general appearance is similar to that of Strumigenys cassicuspis, but necopina is smaller, has a markedly convex anterior clypeal margin and its petiole node is obviously broader than long in dorsal view.

Keys including this Species

• Key to Neotropical Strumigenys (as Pyramica)

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: -0.2589° to -0.2589°.

North Temperate	North Subtropical	Tropical	South Subtropical	South Temperate

• Source: AntMaps

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Neotropical Region: Ecuador (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.

• necopina. Pyramica necopina Bolton, 2000: 223 (w.) ECUADOR. Combination in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 124

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 2.0, HL 0.56, HW 0.41, CI 73, ML 0.10, MI 18, SL 0.24, SI 59, PW 0.29, AL 0.54. Mostly fitting the description of cassicuspis. Anterior clypeal margin broadly shallowly convex. Dorsum of clypeus and of head behind clypeus with short stubbly simple hairs that are weakly elevated to suberect. Posterior margin of clypeus without a transverse row of much longer erect simple hairs. Promesonotum with spatulate subdecumbent to decumbent ground-pilosity, without erect stubbly hairs such as are present on the head. First gastral tergite with a few long simple erect hairs. Femoral gland bullae elongate and conspicuous; bullae very obviously much longer than broad. Petiole node in dorsal view distinctly broader than long. Mesopleuron mostly smooth but metapleuron and side of propodeum reticulate-punctate. Disc of postpetiole not entirely sculptured, with smooth areas and distinctly less strongly sculptured than the petiole node.

Paratypes. TL 1.9-2.0, HL 0.55-0.58, HW 0.40-0.42, CI 72-75, ML 0.09-0.10, MI 16-18, SL 0.24-0.26, SI 59-62, PW 0.28-0.30, AL 0.50-0.55 (4 measured).

Type Material

Holotype worker, Ecuador: Provo Pichincha, 4 km. E Santo Domingo de los Colorados, 520 m., 22.vi.1975, rainforest, B-304 (S. & J. Peck) (Museum of Comparative Zoology). Paratypes. 4 workers and 2 queens with same data as holotype (MCZ, The Natural History Museum).

References

• Baroni Urbani, C. & De Andrade, M.L. 2007. The ant tribe Dacetini: limits and constituent genera, with descriptions of new species. Annali del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale “G. Doria” 99:1-191.
• Bolton, B. 2000. The ant tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute. 65:1-1028. (page 223, worker described)

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

• Fernández, F. and S. Sendoya. 2004. Lista de las hormigas neotropicales. Biota Colombiana Volume 5, Number 1.