Very unusual Strumigenys ant

Very unusual Strumigenys ant

Phil Hoenle discovered a new Strumigenys species in the study site. Within the large global ant genus Strumigenys, this species is a morphologically outlier with its long trap-jaw mandibles and smooth surface sculpturing. The species description in ZooKeys caught a lot of attention by the media: it was not only named after a popular artist (Michael Stipe), but also by using a gender-neutral epithet for the first time – Strumigenys ayersthey.

Booher DB, Hoenle PO (2021) A new species group of Strumigenys (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from Ecuador, with a description of its mandible morphology. ZooKeys 1036: 1-19

Selected Media Coverage:

El Comercio: Nueva especie de hormiga con mandíbula larga es hallada en Ecuador y su nombre rinde homenaje a la diversidad de género

New Scientist: Ant species given first gender-neutral scientific name

Rolling Stone Magazine: Michael Stipe Helps Name Ant Species After Andy Warhol Superstar