Strumigenys langrandi

Known from montane forest litter-sampling.

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the scotti complex in the Strumigenys scotti-group. S. langrandi, Strumigenys odacon and Strumigenys ravola are distinguished from other species in scotti-complex by having mesonotum with two pairs of erect hairs, and ventral spongiform tissue of petiolar peduncle a well developed curtain that is continuous along the base of the peduncle. S. langrandi is separated from the other two by the absence of short hairs on the anterior half of first gastral sternite. S. ravola is distinguished by the presence of dense reticulate-punctuate sculpture on pronotum, while in odacon and ravola, the pronotal dorsum is longitudinally striolate on a smooth surface or with superficial punctulate sculpture.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 *  langrandi. Strumigenys langrandi Fisher, in Bolton, 2000: 686 (w.q.) MADAGASCAR.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.4, HL 0.58, HW 0.44, CI 76, ML 0.27, MI 47, SL 0.33, SI 76, PW 0.29, AL 0.59. Characters of scotti-complex. Mandibles in full-face view short, with outer margins shallowly and evenly convex and sharply narrowed at base. Upper scrobe margin evenly and shallowly convex in full-face view, not bordered by a rim or flange, the eyes visible. Maximum diameter of eye slightly greater than maximum width of scape, with 4-5 ommatidia in longest row. Scape subcylindrical, curved and narrowed near base; hairs on leading edge slender filiform to narrowly spatulate. Cephalic dorsum densely clothed with erect to suberect filiform ground-pilosity. Upper scrobe margins fringed with spatulate hairs; in full-face view hairs on upper scrobe margin decumbent and sharply bent at basal third, not projecting well beyond the scrobe margin. Cephalic dorsum with 6 standing filiform hairs arranged in a transverse row of 4 close to the occipital margin and a more anteriorly situated pair. Pronotal humeral hair flagellate. Mesonotum with two pairs of standing filiform to narrowly remiform hairs: a pair on anterior margin, and a second pair situated on central lateral margin. Propodeum with one pair of short, fine, posteriorly curved hairs immediately anterior of propodeal spines. Ground-pilosity on dorsal alitrunk inconspicuous and more or less absent, consisting of short suberect to decumbent fine filiform hairs. Dorsum of alitrunk in outline convex anteriorly and more or less flat to shallowly convex posteriorly. Metanotal groove without a conspicuous impression. Anterior mesonotum with a narrow carina above the mesothoracic spiracle; mesopleural gland set in a conspicuous circular notch. Propodeal tooth triangular, lamellate, pointed apically, and subtended by a narrow lamella. Pronotal dorsum longitudinally striolate; mesonotal and propodeal dorsa reticulate-punctate. Sides of pronotum superficially longitudinally striolate. Pleurae and side of propodeum glassy smooth and peripherally punctulate. Postpetiole disc more or less smooth. In profile ventral spongiform tissue of petiolar peduncle a well developed curtain that is continuous along the base of the peduncle. Ventral spongiform tissue of postpetiole well developed. Basigastral costulae well developed and sharply defined, radiating on each side of a broad central clear area. Dorsal surface of petiole, postpetiole, and gaster with standing filiform hairs which are slightly thickened apically. Anterior half of first gastral sternite without erect hairs. Colour light brown.

Paratype. TL 2.4-2.6, HL 0.56-0.59, HW 0.44-0.45, CI 76-80, ML 0.27-0.28, MI 46-49, SL 0.34-0.35, SI 77-78, PW 0.28-0.30, AL 0.60-0.64 (3 measured). One paratype without proximal preapical tooth on left mandible, otherwise as holotype.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Madagascar: Stn Forestiere Manjakatompo, 19°21'S, 47°10'E, 1600 m., 20.ii.1993, sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood), montane rainforest, #11971-11 (P. S. Ward).

Paratypes. 3 worker and 1 queen (alate) with same data as holotype.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Fisher B. L. 2003. Formicidae, ants. Pp. 811-819 in: Goodman, S. M.; Benstead, J. P. (eds.) 2003. The natural history of Madagascar. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, xxi + 1709 pp.