Strumigenys perdita

This species occurs in lowland wet forest, in leaf litter on the forest floor (Longino, Ants of Costa Rica).

Identification
A member of the Strumigenys silvestrii-group.

Bolton (2000) - S. perdita is closely related to three other Central American species, Strumigenys nastata, Strumigenys calamita and Strumigenys timicala; see notes under the first two of these.

Longino (Ants of Costa Rica) - Mandible somewhat bowed; apical fork of mandible without intercalary tooth; mandible with long, spiniform preapical tooth about one quarter distance from apical fork to mandible base; minute denticle variably present one half to two thirds distance to mandible base; eyes composed of 1-4 facets; gaster smooth with strong basal costulae; gaster with erect setae filiform to weakly thickened; leading edge of scape at the subbasal bend lacks a lamella; spiniform preapical tooth of mandible occurs closer to the apicodorsal tooth than to the proximal denticle.

This species is extremely similar to Strumigenys calamita, differing primarily in the filiform (perdita) rather than spatulate (calamita) setae on the gaster, and to Strumigenys nastata'', differing in the lack of a lamella on the scape, and the preapical tooth character described above.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Costa Rica, Honduras.

Nomenclature

 *  perdita. Strumigenys perdita Bolton, 2000: 556, figs. 327, 349 (w.) COSTA RICA.