Strumigenys lucomo

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

A common, widespread Madagascar Strumigenys. This ant has been found in a wide range of forest habitats and has been collected nesting in the soil, in litter samples, in rotten wood and in dead twigs above the ground.

Identification

Bolton (2000) - A member of the scotti complex in the Strumigenys scotti-group. S. lucomo and Strumigenys lura form a pair of closely related species within the scotti-complex. They both have the dorsum of pronotum with one or more pairs of erect hairs in addition to a flagellate pair at humeral angles, mesonotum with 2 or 3 pairs of erect hairs, and the ventral spongiform tissue of petiolar peduncle in profile an irregular, narrow strip along the base of the peduncle.

S. lucomo can be distinguished from lura by the presence of a ventrally directed triangular tooth at the anterior end of the ventral spongiform lamella of petiolar peduncle when viewed in profile. In profile anterior end of ventral spongiform lamella of petiolar peduncle of lura is at most small and rounded. In addition, the lamella on the propodeal declivity of lucomo is narrow but conspicuous and continuous down the declivity while in lura the lamella is inconspicuous. See also under Strumigenys glycon.

Keys including this Species

• Key to Malagasy Strumigenys

Distribution

Latitudinal Distribution Pattern

Latitudinal Range: -13.962° to -22.68333°.

North Temperate	North Subtropical	Tropical	South Subtropical	South Temperate

• Source: AntMaps

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Malagasy Region: Madagascar (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. ‎

Castes

Worker

Images from AntWeb

Paratype of Strumigenys lucomo. Worker. Specimen code casent0005586. Photographer April Nobile, uploaded by California Academy of Sciences.	Owned by CAS, San Francisco, CA, USA.

Paratype of Strumigenys lucomo. Worker. Specimen code casent0005587. Photographer April Nobile, uploaded by California Academy of Sciences.	Owned by CAS, San Francisco, CA, USA.

Holotype of Strumigenys lucomo. Worker. Specimen code casent0005588. Photographer April Nobile, uploaded by California Academy of Sciences.	Owned by MCZ, Cambridge, MA, USA.

Nomenclature

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

• lucomo. Strumigenys lucomo Fisher, in Bolton, 2000: 688 (w.q.) MADAGASCAR.

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

Measurements of non-type worker specimens extend the range shown by the types-series: HL 0.46-0.49, HW 0.37-0.40, ML 0.21-0.24, MI 45-49, SL 0.26-0.31, SI 68-82 (7 measured). Specimens examined from localities other than Isoky-Vohimena lack the central short costulae at the base of the first gastral tergite and have a central clear area. In addition, specimens from Ankarana and Lokobe differ in having slightly thinner mandibles in profile and having only 2 pairs of hairs on the mesonotum but otherwise are similar to the type material. Their placement in lucomo is tentative and must be reassessed when additional collections from the west of Madagascar are made available.

Description

Worker

Holotype. TL 2.3, HL 0.52, HW 0.43, CI 83, ML 0.22, MI 42, SL 0.29, SI 67, PW 0.27, AL 0.56. Characters of scotti-complex. Mandibles in full-face view short, outer margins shallowly and evenly convex, sharply narrowed at base. Upper scrobe margin evenly and shallowly convex in full-face view, not bordered by a rim or flange, the eyes visible. Maximum diameter of eye approximately equal to maximum width of scape, with 3-4 ommatidia in longest row. Scape subcylindrical, curved and narrowed near base; hairs on leading edge slender, slightly flattened or spoon-shaped apically. Cephalic dorsum densely clothed with short, slender filiform ground-pilosity which are thickened apically. The upper scrobe margin fringed with sharply curved hairs which are flattened or spoon-shaped apically and are similar in size to those on the leading edge of the scape. Cephalic dorsum with 6 standing filiform hairs arranged in a transverse row of 4 close to the occipital margin and a more anteriorly situated pair. Pronotal humeral hair flagellate, dorsum also with one or more pairs of short suberect or erect hairs. Mesonotum with three pairs of hairs: a pair of standing filiform to narrowly remiform hairs on anterior margin, a shorter more posteriorly situated pair of erect filiform hairs, and an even shorter pair of erect fine hairs on posterior margin. Hairs on promesonotal dorsum appear easily abraded and are broken or missing in many of the paratypes. Propodeum with one pair of short, fine, posteriorly curved hairs immediately anterior of propodeal spines. Ground-pilosity as on head but the hairs are sparser. Dorsum of alitrunk in outline convex anteriorly and posteriorly shallowly convex and gently sloping to the declivity. Metanotal groove shallowly impressed. Anterior mesonotum without a conspicuous carina above the mesothoracic spiracle; mesopleural gland set in a small circular notch. Propodeal tooth triangular, lamellate, pointed apically, and subtended by a narrow lamella that is continuous down the declivity. Pronotal dorsum and sides longitudinally rugulose-striolate; mesonotal and propodeal dorsa reticulate-punctate. Sides of pleurae and propodeum smooth and peripherally punctulate. Postpetiole disc more or less smooth, faintly longitudinally striolate laterally. In profile ventral spongiform tissue of petiolar peduncle a narrow irregular strip along the base of the peduncle and with a ventrally directed narrow triangular spiniform tooth at anterior end, the deepest point of the curtain (excluding tooth) less than the maximum width of eye. Ventral spongiform tissue of postpetiole moderately developed. Basigastral costulae well developed and sharply defined, radiating on each side of a central area that includes shorter less developed costulae. Dorsal surface of petiole, postpetiole, and gaster with standing filiform hairs which are slightly thickened apically. Colour light brown.

Paratypes. TL 2.0-2.3, HL 0.49-0.52, HW 0.38-0.43, CI 75-85, ML 0.22-0.23, MI 43-45, SL 0.27-0.29, SI 66-75, PW 0.24-0.29, AL 0.50-0.58 (8 measured). As holotype.

Type Material

Holotype worker, Madagascar: Provo Toliara, southern Isoky-Vohimena Forest, 59 km. NE Sakaraha, 22°41'S, 44°50'E, 730 m., 21.i.1996, sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood) tropical dry forest #1312 (50)-1 (S. Razafimandimby & B. L. Fisher) (Museum of Comparative Zoology).

Paratypes. 17 workers and 1 queen (dealate) with same data as holotype but coded (1)-5, (2)-2, (3)-3, (4)-4, (5)-4, (6)-5, (18)-4, (22)-2, (24)-3, (26)-2, (29)-2, (35)-4, (36)-3, (40)-1, (48)-2 (The Natural History Museum, South African 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 688, worker described)

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

• Bolton, B. 2000. The Ant Tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 65
• Ravelomanana A., and B. L. Fisher. 2013. Diversity of ants in burned and unburned grassland , and dry deciduous forest in the Beanka Reserve, Melaky Region, western Madagascar. Malagasy Nature 7: 171-183.