A new species group of Strumigenys (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from Ecuador, with a description of its mandible morphology

By

Booher, Doug
Hoenle, Philipp

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2021

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

1036

Pages

1--19

Subjects

µCT , 3D scan , LaMSA (latch-mediated spring-actuation) , Myrmicinae , Northwest Ecuador , power amplified , Strumigenys ayersthey , taxonomy , tropical forest

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1036.62034

 

Abstract

Strumigenys is one of the most diverse ant genera in the world and arguably the most morphologically diverse, exhibiting an exceptional range of mandible shape and function. A new species, Strumigenys ayerstheysp. nov., discovered in the Chocó region of Ecuador is described. With two morphological characters, this species is shown to be a morphologically unique outlier among Strumigenys globally, having predominately smooth and shining cuticle surface sculpturing and long trap-jaw mandibles. Using µCT scans, we produced 3D images of the worker ant and static images to examine and compare mandible articular morphologies with most morphologically similar members of the mandibularis species group. Cuticular, pilosity, and articular mandible morphological differences supports placing the new species in its own new species group.