Strumigenys friedae

Identification
Bolton (2000) - Of the eight Austral species in the smythiesii-complex Strumigenys harpyia and Strumigenys zygon are the smallest and have the shortest scapes. Their combined dimensions of HL 0.44-0.50, SI 70-80 compare with a range of HL 0.57-0.72, SI 80-100 for Strumigenys alexetrix, Strumigenys belua, Strumigenys mesedsura, Strumigenys friedae, Strumigenys segrex and Strumigenys tisisyx together. S. zygon is unique in the complex as it has two freely laterally projecting hairs on each upper scrobe margin and characteristic gastral pilosity. Of the remainder only harpyia and alexetrix have standing hairs on the pronotal dorsum (other than the flagellate humeral hairs) but these two are easily separated on details of size and sculpture.

S. belua is immediately isolated by its strong mesonotal median carina and unique propodeum that possesses a vertical low cuticular lamina on each dorsolateral margin. This species also falls between harpyia and the remainder of the complex in terms of size, having HL 0.57, compared to HL 0.61-0.72 in the other species together.

In alexetrix and tisisyx the mesopleuron, metapleuron and side of the propodeum are entirely reticulate-punctate, whereas in friedae, mesedsura and segrex these sclerites are largely or entirely unsculptured. S. alexetrix, apart from the presence of standing hairs on the pronotum and slender linear-spatulate ground-pilosity on the head, has scapes that are notably shorter (SI 80-83) than in tisisyx (SI 93-100); cephalic ground-pilosity in the latter is conspicuous, short and broadly spatulate.

S. friedae, mesedsura and segrex are similar in size though the first two tend to have relatively slightly shorter scapes and longer mandibles than segrex (SI 87-96, MI 45-52 as opposed to SI 96-100, MI 41-43). The separation of friedae and segrex is simple: in friedae the pronotal dorsum is densely reticulate-punctate, the head lacks a pair of erect flagellate hairs at the highest point of the vertex and the ventral curtain of the petiole is deep and thickly spongiform. By contrast segrex has sculpture on the pronotal dorsum almost entirely effaced, has a pair of erect flagellate hairs at the highest point of the vertex and has the ventral curtain of the petiole shallow, laminate or lace-like.

S. mesedsura differs from both of these as its propodeal lamella is broad and forms a large projecting lobe below the level of the spiracle. Like segrex it has reduced sculpture on the pronotal dorsum but does not have erect flagellate hairs at the highest point of the vertex. Like friedae it has a spongiform ventral curtain on the postpetiole but lacks the even regular sculpture on the dorsal pronotum.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Nomenclature

 *  friedae. Strumigenys friedae Forel, 1915b: 42 (w.q.) AUSTRALIA. Imai, Crozier & Taylor, 1977: 349 (k.). See also: Bolton, 2000: 959.

Worker
Bolton (2000) - TL 2.4-2.8, HL 0.61-0.69, HW 0.41-0.46, CI 66-70, ML 0.28-0.36, MI 45-52, SL 0.36-0.45, SI 87-96, PW 0.26-0.30, AL 0.66-0.73 (25 measured).

With characters of smythiesii-complex. Apicoscrobal hair flagellate. Cephalic dorsum sharply reticulate-punctate and with narrowly spatulate ground-pilosity. A single pair of erect fine hairs on cephalic dorsum, located close to midline near occipital margin; these hairs subflagellate, curved anteriorly or looped. Occipital margin closer to occipital corners often with 1-2 shorter stiffer simple standing hairs on each side. Eye of moderate size, with less than 20 ommatidia in total. Pronotal humeral hair flagellate; pronotal dorsum otherwise without standing hairs. Mesonotum with a single pair of erect flagellate hairs. Entire dorsal alitrunk finely and densely reticulate-punctate. Propodeal declivity with posterior (free) margin of lamella more or less straight to shallowly concave. Katepisternum mostly to entirely smooth. Metapleuron and side of propodeum at least with a smooth patch that covers the upper portion of the former and lower portion of the latter; often more extensive. Dorsum of petiole node finely reticulate-punctate; disc of postpetiole mostly smooth but usually with some weak punctulation on the lateral and posterior margins. Hairs on first gastral tergite long and fine, flagellate.

Type Material
Bolton (2000) - Syntype workers and queen, AUSTRALIA: Queensland, Malanda (E. Mjoberg) [examined].