Morphology of cuticular structures in the ant genus Strumigenys (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract

Ants in the genus Strumigenys have an assortment of structures that appear to hold environmental debris that acts as camouflage to facilitate their ability to feed on collembolans. Species use a species-specific assortment of structures with a general hair- or scale-like form. These structures can be categorized as brush hairs, which expand apically and often have peg- like extensions for greater surface area and holding ability; holding hairs, narrow cuticular structures that often have ridges and pointed extensions of the cuticle; or guard hairs, whose function may not be to hold debris but at times become covered with this material. Additionally, the sculpturing of the head often holds a coating of environmental debris. Each of the six species used in this study had a distinct pattern of these cuticular structures that are different from that of other species and can be considered to have a species-specific character. Six species of Strumigenys are studied using a scanning electron microscope.