Strumigenys coveri

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

Strumigenys coveri casent0003240 profile 1.jpg

Strumigenys coveri casent0003240 dorsal 1.jpg

Specimen labels

A rainforest species that has been found in rotten logs and litter samples.

Identification

Bolton (2000) - A member of the dexis complex in the Strumigenys dexis-group. Within the dexis-complex coven is immediately separated from all other members (Strumigenys dexis, Strumigenys gorgon, Strumigenys peyrierasi, Strumigenys rabesoni) by the condition of the petiole node. In dorsal view the cuticular area of the node (discounting the lateral lobes and posterior collar) is at least as long as broad, and usually distinctly longer than broad in coven, while in the other species it is very obviously broader than long. The basigastral costulae are very short with a few feeble longer costulae in coveri, while in the other species, costulae well developed and numerous. Further differentiating characters are noted under the other species of the complex.

Keys including this Species

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: -15.66667° to -15.66667°.

 
North
Temperate
North
Subtropical
Tropical South
Subtropical
South
Temperate

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Malagasy Region: Madagascar (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

Castes

Images from AntWeb

Strumigenys coveri casent0005893 head 1.jpgStrumigenys coveri casent0005893 profile 1.jpgStrumigenys coveri casent0005893 dorsal 1.jpgStrumigenys coveri casent0005893 label 1.jpg
Worker. Specimen code casent0005893. Photographer April Nobile, uploaded by California Academy of Sciences. Owned by CAS, San Francisco, CA, USA.

Nomenclature

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

  • coveri. Strumigenys coveri Fisher, in Bolton, 2000: 640 (w.) MADAGASCAR.

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 2.4, H L 0.63, HW 0.51, CI 81, ML 0.14, MI 22, SL 0.28, SI 55, PW 0.31, AL 0.68. Characters of dexis-complex. With head in full-face view the dorsal surfaces of the occipital lobes with broad spoon-shaped hairs similar in shape and size to those projecting from the upper scrobe margins; these hairs occupy a longitudinal strip on each side from the apices of the upper scrobe margins to the apices of the occipital lobes, but absent from the vertex proper. Eye with 12-13 ommatidia in total. Punctures on vertex small and faint, widely spaced, the distance between punctures greater than the diameter of the punctures. Punctate sculpture sparse and faint on dorsal promesonotum, almost effaced. Pronotum in dorsal view relatively narrow, about as broad as long, decidedly not conspicuously broader than long. Dorsum of petiole node (discounting spongiform tissue) longer than broad. Disc of postpetiole smooth. Basigastral costulae weakly developed and inconspicuous, sparse, faint and short. Standing hairs completely absent from dorsal surfaces of body.

Paratypes. TL 2.4, HL 0.63-0.64, HW 0.51-0.52, CI 80-83, ML 0.14, MI 22, SL 0.28-0.29, SI 55-56, PW 0.30-0.31, AL 0.66-0.68 (2 measured). As holotype but number of ommatidia in eye varies from 11 to 13.

Measurements of this material extends the range shown by the type-series: HL 0.62-0.68, HW 0.51-0.55, CI 80-85, ML 0.14-0.17, MI 22-26.

Type Material

Holotype worker, Madagascar: 1 km. W Andampibe, Cap Masoala, 125 m., 2.xii.1993, 15°51'37"S, 50°10'53.4"E, lowland rainforest, Winkler app. 259.3308w (Alpert et al.) (Museum of Comparative Zoology).

Paratypes. 1 worker with same data as holotype; 2 workers (one with head missing) 2 km. W Andampibe, Cap Masoala, 125 m., l.xii.1993, 15°41'25"S, 50°10'10"E, lowland rainforest, Winkler app. 238.3325w (Alpert et al.) (South African Museum, The Natural History Museum).

References

  • Fisher, B.L. 2000. The Malagasy fauna of Strumigenys. Pp. 612-696 in: Bolton, B. 2000. The ant tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute. 65:1-1028. (page 641, worker described)

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

  • Bolton, B. 2000. The Ant Tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 65
  • Fisher B. L. 2003. Formicidae, ants. Pp. 811-819 in: Goodman, S. M.; Benstead, J. P. (eds.) 2003. The natural history of Madagascar. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, xxi + 1709 pp.