Strumigenys erikae

Strumigenys erikae
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Formicidae
Subfamily:	Myrmicinae
Tribe:	Attini
Genus:	Strumigenys
Species:	S. erikae
Binomial name
	Strumigenys erikae; (Longino, 2006)

This species occurs in mature cloud forest. It is known from two workers from two different Winkler samples of sifted litter from the forest floor (Longino 2006). There has been a subsequent collection of Strumigenys erikae from rainforest.

Identification

Longino (Ants of Costa Rica) - Mandible short and curving downward in profile; lateral head capsule with the antennal scrobe mostly or entirely smooth and shining; propodeal spines present (former Glamyromyrmex); leading edge of scape lacking erect setae; disc of postpetiole in dorsal view very broadly U-shaped or V-shaped, with an extremely deeply concave anterior face; spongiform tissue absent from ventral surface of petiole, postpetiole and first gastral sternite; lateral margins of head and posterior face near vertex margin with sparse erect setae; head in side view convex above and below, not flattened; mesosoma strongly ankylosed, dorsal face of propodeum absent, posterior face forming long flat shiny surface that meets promesonotal dorsum at a sharp transverse carina.

Longino (2006) - In Bolton's (2000: 148) key to Neotropical Pyramica, this species keys to Strumigenys rogata, but the strongly ankylosed mesosoma is unique and immediately distinguishes this species from any other of the Glamyromyrmex-like Pyramica.

Keys including this Species

Key to Neotropical Strumigenys (as Pyramica)

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: 10.26928° to 9.6658426°.


North Temperate	North Subtropical	Tropical	South Subtropical	South Temperate

Source: AntMaps

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Neotropical Region: Costa Rica (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.

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Castes

Nomenclature

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

erikae. Pyramica erikae Longino, 2006b: 141, figs. 25-27 (w.) COSTA RICA. Combination in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 119

Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description.

Description

Worker

Holotype: ML 0.124, HL 0.561, HW 0.532, HD 0.296, MeL 0.484.

Mandible short and curving downward in profile; lateral head capsule with antennal scrobe mostly or entirely smooth and shining; propodeal spines present (former Glamyromyrmex); leading edge of scape lacking erect setae; disc of postpetiole in dorsal view very broadly U-shaped, with an extremely deeply concave anterior face; spongiform tissue absent from ventral surface of petiole, postpetiole and first gastral sternite; lateral margins of head and posterior face near vertex margin, promesonotum, petiolar node, postpetiole, and gastral dorsum with sparse erect setae; head in side view convex above and below, not flattened; mesosoma strongly ankylosed, dorsal face of propodeum absent, posterior face forming long flat shiny surface that meets promesonotal dorsum at a sharp transverse carina.

Type Material

Holotype worker: Costa Rica: Heredia Prov., 16 km SSE La Virgen (10° 16' N, 84° 05' W), 1100 m elevation, 14.III.2001, leg. Project ALAS 11/WF/02/01, specimen code INB0003214077 (Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad). Paratype: 1 worker, same data as holotype but 20.II. 2001, leg. Project ALAS 11/WF/01/15, INB0003213718 (Museum of Comparative Zoology).

Etymology

Named for my daughter Erika Jane Longino.

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.
Longino, J.T. 2006b. New species and nomenclatural changes for the Costa Rican ant fauna. Myrmecologische Nachrichten. 8:131-143.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

INBio Collection (via Gbif)
Longino J. T. L., and M. G. Branstetter. 2018. The truncated bell: an enigmatic but pervasive elevational diversity pattern in Middle American ants. Ecography 41: 1-12.
Longino J. T., and R. K. Colwell. 2011. Density compensation, species composition, and richness of ants on a neotropical elevational gradient. Ecosphere 2(3): 16pp.