Strumigenys incuba

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

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Specimen Labels

Nothing is known about the biology of Strumigenys incuba.

Identification

Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys marginiventris-group. Closely related to Strumigenys longispinosa but larger, with shorter propodeal spines, radically different gastral pilosity, and having only a single pair of erect hairs on the cephalic dorsum.

Keys including this Species

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: -0.631944444° to -0.6364°.

 
North
Temperate
North
Subtropical
Tropical South
Subtropical
South
Temperate

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Neotropical Region: Colombia (type locality), Ecuador.

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.

  • incuba. Strumigenys incuba Bolton, 2000: 541, fig. 320 (w.) COLOMBIA.

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 3.9, HL 0.96, HW 0.75, CI 78, ML 0.90, MI 94, SL 0.90, SI 120, PW 0.39, AL 0.94. Cephalic dorsum with a single pair of erect simple hairs, close to the occipital margin. Flagellate hairs present: in apicoscrobal position; at pronotal humerus; a pair on mesonotum; 1-2 pairs on petiole and postpetiole. Other hairs on postpetiole and all hairs on first gastral tergite stiff and bristle-like, straight to shallowly curved. Ventral spongiform strip present on petiole. Mesopleuron, metapleuron and side of propodeum glassy smooth. Propodeal spines narrowly triangular but not elongate and slender, subtended by a narrow concave carina. Petiole node about as long as broad in dorsal view. Disc of postpetiole mostly or entirely smooth, never completely traversed by costulae nor densely reticulate-punctate. First gastral tergite smooth behind basigastral costulae.

Paratypes. TL 3.7-3.8, HL 0.92-0.94, HW 0.70-0.72, CI 74-78, ML 0.85-0.86, MI 90-92, SL 0.82-0.86, SI 117-119, PW 0.36-0.37, AL 0.89-0.91 (2 measured).

Type Material

Holotype worker, Colombia: Putumayo, Villa Garron, 14.viii.1977 (D. Jackson) (The Natural History Museum).

Paratypes. 1 worker with same data as holotype; 1 worker with same data but 25.vii.1977 (BMNH, Museum of Comparative Zoology).

References

  • Bolton, B. 2000. The ant tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute. 65:1-1028.