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Strumigenys ochosa group
Strumigenys ochosa group Bolton (2000)
Species
Malesian-Oriental-East Palaeartic
Worker Diagnosis
Apical fork of 2 teeth, the apicodorsal massive and strongly arched. Apicoventral tooth much smaller and migrated proximally on ventral surface to such an extent that it is visible in full-face view, where it appears as a ventrally-arising preapical tooth. Dorsal surface of apicoventral tooth bears 2-3 small intercalary teeth. Preapical teeth absent. Mandible short and powerful, MI 31-34; in full-face view increasing in width from base for about two-thirds of its length. The inner margin then passes through an approximate right-angle distal to which it describes a deep concavity; proximal section of concavity consists of the margin beyond the angle, distal section is formed by the inner margin of the apicodorsal tooth.
Anterior clypeal margin broadly shallowly concave.
Scape very short, slender and hardly flattened, the leading edge broadly and evenly shallowly convex; SI 49-52.
Apical antennomere stout, broadly articulated with the preapical segment.
Head massive, armoured and very broad (CI 94-98); in full-face view upper scrobe margins strongly expanded laterally so that side of head forms a single even convexity from frontal lobe to apex of occipital lobe.
Scrobe in profile dorsoventrally narrow but deep and very strongly defined, broadly margined dorsally and with a sharp ventral margin posterior to eye.
Ventrolateral margin of head without a preocular impression or notch, the margin in front of the eye very shallowly concave for most of its length. Postbuccal groove very shallow and poorly defined; ventral surface behind groove broadly shallowly convex, without impressions.
Propodeal teeth subtended by a lamella that has an approximately straight and vertical posterior (free) margin.
Petiole node in dorsal view broader than long; disc of postpetiole only slightly broader than petiole node.
Spongiform appendages of waist segments all present; a vestigial pad at base of first gastral sternite.
Pilosity. Extremely reduced. A few very short stubbly erect hairs along occipital margin and a similar pair present at highest point of vertex; 1-2 similar projecting laterally from dorsolateral margin of head. Pronotal humeral hair short, stiff and simple; mesonotum with a very short erect pair. First gastral tergite with sparse erect narrowly spatulate hairs. Long filiform or flagellate hairs entirely absent. Ground pilosity sparse to vestigial, inconspicuous.
Sculpture. Cephalic dorsum with very feeble tiny rugulae only, or also with punctulae; within the scrobe densely reticulate-punctate. Promesonotum weakly to quite densely punctulate; side of alitrunk mostly smooth. Disc of postpetiole smooth. Gaster glassy smooth except for short basigastral costulae.
Notes
The single large, stockily built and heavily armoured species currently occupying this group is very distinctive. Its massive head and peculiar mandibular morphology are not duplicated elsewhere.
References
- Bolton, B. 2000. The ant tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute. 65:1-1028.