Strumigenys deinognatha

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

Known from a small number of samples, specimens have been obtained from litter samples in rain forest.

Identification

Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys extemena-group. The unique worker of deinognatha has a mandible structure (see below) that is shared only with Strumigenys extemena. The two are distinguished by the distribution of scale-like cephalic hairs, shape of the pronotum and development of propodeal teeth.

Keys including this Species

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: 4.016666667° to 4.016666667°.

 
North
Temperate
North
Subtropical
Tropical South
Subtropical
South
Temperate

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Indo-Australian Region: Borneo, Indonesia, Malaysia (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.

  • deinognatha. Pyramica deinognatha Bolton, 2000: 419 (w.) BORNEO. Combination in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 118

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 1.6, HL 0.42, HW 0.38, CI 90, ML 0.16, MI 38, SL 0.21, SI 55, PW 0.21, AL 0.42. Dorsal surfaces of the massively developed mandibles strongly sloping downward from the masticatory margins to the outer margins; in frontal view the masticatory margins are elevated and the dorsum on each side forms a flat slope that falls away steeply so that the two mandibles form a triangle with the masticatory margin at its apex. Counting from the base of the mandible teeth 3 and 7 are enlarged. Base of scape with a broad, prominent but evenly rounded subbasal angle. Hairs on the leading edge of the scape all small, scale-like to spoon-shaped and curved toward the apex of the scape; without an isolated, conspicuously enlarged and differently shaped hair at the apex of the curvature. Dorsum of head covered with small decumbent to appressed scale-like hairs, without standing pilosity of any form. Dorsal alitrunk without standing hairs. Pronotum in dorsal view with its dorsolateral margins evenly convex and posteriorly curving smoothly to their junction with the mesonotum. Pronotal dorsum flat and finely shagreenate. Propodeal declivity with lamellae but without teeth. Petiole node broader than long. First gastral tergite with a few short stout erect hairs apically and basally. Basigastral costulae short but numerous and strongly developed.

Type Material

Holotype worker, Malaysia: Sabah (“North Borneo (SE))” on data label), Tawau, Quoin Hill, 8.viii.1962, Berlese funnel collection, Bishop (Y. Hirashima) (Australian National Insect Collection).

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 419, worker described)

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

  • CSIRO Collection
  • 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