Strumigenys villiersi

A widespread but rarely collected species known from various forest habitats. A few of the records note they were obtained from litter-samples.

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys splendens-group. The abundant long pilosity and numerous extremely long fine flagellate hairs, especially those arising from the dorsolateral margins of the head, make this species easily recognisable. Only two other species within the group, Strumigenys rugithorax and Strumigenys kompsomala, approach villiersi in density of pilosity. Differentiation of these two from villiersi is easy. S. rugithorax has a laterally expanded clypeus that conceals most of the outer margin of the mandibles, has an upcurved anterior clypeal margin, and has the preocular carinae completely concealed by the expanded frontal lobes and frontal carinae. S. kompsomala has the ventral spongiform lobe of the postpetiole reduced to a small triangular anteroventral vestige and has a truncated erect tooth on the midline of the mesonotum close to its posterior margin.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela.

Nomenclature

 *  villiersi. Gymnomyrmex villiersi Perrault, 1986a: 1, figs. 1-3 (w.) FRENCH GUIANA. Combination in Pyramica: Bolton, 1999: 1672; in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 130. See also: Bolton, 2000: 237.

Worker
Bolton (2000) - TL 1.7-2.0, HL 0.48-0.52, HW 0.31-0.34, CI 64-65, ML 0.08-0.10, MI 17-29, SL 0.20-0.24, SI 65-71, PW 0.20-0.24, AL 0.50-0.58 (6 measured).

With head in full-face view the clypeus not expanded laterally, outer margins of mandibles visible almost to level of preocular carinae. Frontal lobes and frontal carinae not strongly expanded laterally, in full-face view the preocular carinae visible. With mandibles at full closure the exposed length of the basal lamella is slightly greater than the length of the tooth row. Vertex smooth in small specimens, irregularly granulate to punctate in larger individuals. Dorsolateral margin of head with two freely projecting long flagellate hairs. The anterior hair arises from the upper scrobe margin above the eye and is extremely long, much longer than the scape; the more posterior flagellate hair is api coscrobal and somewhat shorter. Very long flagellate hairs also occur at the pronotal humeri and a pair is present on the mesonotum. All these very long hairs seem fragile and are prone to breakage and abrasion. Dorsal alitrunk otherwise with fine sinuate to short-flagellate hairs, the first gastral tergite with numerous flagellate hairs. All surfaces of legs with numerous freely projecting fine hairs. Femural gland bullae particularly distinct in this species, appearing blister-like. Pronotum feebly marginate, the dorsum smooth or weakly sculptured.

Type Material
Bolton (2000) - Holotype worker and paratype workers, FRENCH GUIANA: 5°30'N, 53 °W, 40-50 m., 1980 (Betsch) [holotype examined].