Strumigenys browni

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

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Specimen Labels

Strumigenys browni group

Nothing is known about the biology of Strumigenys browni.

Identification

The only member of the Strumigenys browni-group.

Keys including this Species

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: -2.567° to -2.567°.

 
North
Temperate
North
Subtropical
Tropical South
Subtropical
South
Temperate

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Neotropical Region: Brazil (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

Nomenclature

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

  • browni. Pyramica browni Bolton, 2000: 168, figs. 123, 175 (w.) BRAZIL. Combination in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 116

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 2.2, HL 0.62, HW 0.39, CI 63, ML 0.08 (approximated as mandibles open), MI ca 13, SL 0.41, SI 105, PW 0.28, AL 0.60. Eye minute, of 3 very small ommatidia only. Scrobe very extensive, disproportionately broad when compared to the long slender scape and funiculus (see group diagnosis). In profile length of preocular carina distinctly less than distance between apex of carina and eye. Occipital lobes narrow in full-face view, their outer margins only shallowly convex, markedly convergent posteriorly to the prominent occipital angles. In full-face view clypeus and mediodorsal section of head to highest point of vertex smooth and shining. Behind and on each side of the smooth central area the cephalic dorsum with longitudinal or posteriorly divergent fine rugulae. Occipital margin bordered by a transversely arched thin cuticular crest. Ground pilosity of head from posterior margin of clypeus to highest point of vertex of simple arched acute hairs. Behind this the ground-pilosity of curved narrowly spatulate hairs that tend to be flattened or splayed apically. A number of flagellate hairs present: 3-4 pairs project laterally from the dorsolateral margins of the head in full-face view; 2-3 pairs arise from cephalic dorsum in profile (numbers approximate as both specimens of type series damaged). Pronotum not marginate, the dorsum rounding broadly into the sides. Pleurae and side of propodeum smooth and shining. Promesonotum dorsally finely longitudinally rugulose; propodeal dorsum and declivity reticulate-punctate. Ground pilosity of dorsal alitrunk of curved spatulate hairs, the mesonotum also with 1-2 pairs of long flagellate hairs. Dorsal surfaces of petiole, postpetiole and gaster with a mixture of curved elongate spatulate hairs and finer erect flagellate hairs. Dorsum of petiole node broader than long, with a few transverse rugulae; disc of postpetiole glassy smooth. Petiole ventrally with a conspicuous spongiform curtain that is deepest posteriorly, and with large lateral lobes. Anterior face of petiole node in profile almost vertical, only fractionally shorter than the dorsal length of the node. In dorsal view sides of both waist segments bordered with extensive spongiform tissue. Basigastral costulae numerous, short but sharply defined; first gastral tergite otherwise smooth.

Paratype. TL 2.2, HL 0.62, HW 0.40, CI 65, ML 0.08 (approximated as mandibles open), MI ca 13, SL 0.44, SI 110, PW 0.27, AL 0.60.

Type Material

Holotype worker, Brazil: Amazonas, Terra firm. ZF-02, km. 10 : capoeira, 02°34' S, 60°06'W, 7.xi.l990. Capoeira, ZF-2/solo, Extracao Kempsom Camada: 3a, Reg: K28, Prof: 7.0- 10.5 cm. (M. D. de A. Ribeiro) (Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia).

Paratype. 1 worker with same data as holotype but Extracao Kempsom Camada: la, Reg: K26, Prof: 0-3.5 cm. (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 168, figs. 123, 175 worker described)