Strumigenys vodensa

Identification
A member of the Strumigenys baudueri-group.

Bolton (2000) - Large species with long narrow head and very long scape. Antenna with 4 segments, the second funicular segment very long. Clypeal dorsum with elevated fine simple hairs that are directed anteriorly. A long flagellate apicoscrobal hair present. Pronotum not marginate laterally but with a median longitudinal carina. Ventral lobe of postpetiole a translucent thin lamina, not spongiform.

Bolton (1983) - The only known species closely related to vodensa is Strumigenys tacta; the two are separated as follows.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Cameroun.

Nomenclature

 *  vodensa. Smithistruma vodensa Bolton, 1983: 317, fig. 20 (w.) CAMEROUN. Combination in Pyramica: Bolton, 1999: 1673; in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 130. See also: Bolton, 2000: 296.

Worker
Holotype. TL 3.0, HL 0.74, HW 0.38, CI 51, ML 0.09, MI 12, SL 0.44, SI 116, PW 0.30, AL 0.80.

Principal dental row of mandible with 7 teeth, followed by 4 minute denticles and a small apical tooth. Basal lamella of mandible a low rounded lobe which is not as high as the basalmost tooth. No diastema between the basal lamella and the basalmost tooth. In full-face view the clypeus with shallowly convex sides which are evenly convergent anteriorly and with a strongly convex anterior margin which is narrowly rounded medially. The anterior clypeal margin on each side of the midpoint forms a single evenly convex line which is continuous with the lateral margins, without trace of anterolateral angles. Outer margins of the fully closed mandibles forming a more or less continuous line with the outer margins of the clypeus in full-face view. Dorsum and margins of clypeus densely clothed with elevated fine simple hairs which are directed anteriorly. Dorsum of head with decumbent curved fine hairs, those in front of the vertex directed towards the midline, the remainder directed towards the highest point of the vertex. Upper scrobe margins with projecting long flagellate hairs. (One pair is visible in the holotype, at the level of the scrobal apex; more may be present in undamaged specimens, but the holotype is somewhat abraded.) Head long and narrow, the CI of 51 is the lowest yet recorded in any Afrotropical Smithistruma. Between the posterior clypeal margin and the frontal lobes, and running back between the lobes, the surface depressed into a shallow inverted V-shaped trench. Upper scrobe margins pinched in behind the frontal lobes, evenly convex behind this and confluent with the convex sides of the head. Occipital margin concave and bordered by a raised lamelliform ridge or flange which is traversed by a number of ribs. In profile the antennal scrobes reduced and shallow, the preocular laminae low and inconspicuous. Clypeus very densely punctate-granular, the inverted V-shaped impression smooth. Cephalic dorsum to level of eyes finely reticulate-punctate, behind this the surface more grossly reticulate-punctate, the punctures becoming larger both posteriorly and away from the midline, and blanketing the entire surface. Antennae with 4 segments, the scape relatively very long (SI 116, the longest yet recorded among Afrotropical Smithistruma). The second funicular (third antennal) is an extremely long fusion segment constituting funicular segments 2-4 of the normal 5-merous funiculus; this second funicular segment almost two times longer than the first. On the right funiculus vague vestigial constrictions can be seen marking the original segmental limits, but on the right even these traces are absent. Scapes with simple fine hairs present, without bizarre pilosity; shaft of scape not bent nor flattened but increasing in thickness from base to apex. Pronotum marginate anteriorly and with a median longitudinal carina. Sides of pronotum and mesonotum not marginate but propodeal dorsum meeting the sides in an angle. Metanotal groove broad, deeply impressed, the impressed area blocked off at each side by a short longitudinal lamina running from the mesonotum to the propodeum. Propodeal dorsum with a sharp transverse rim bordering the metanotal impression posteriorly. In profile the propodeal teeth very thin apically, subtended by narrow translucent infradental lamellae. Sides of alitrunk unsculptured except for some weak peripheral punctation. Pronotal dorsum smooth near the median carina but laterally with some low disorganized sculpture. Mesonotum densely punctate. Metanotal groove, propodeal dorsum and declivity smooth except for a few vestigial punctures which are scarcely visible, situated on the propodeum just behind the transverse rim which borders the metanotal groove. Pranotal humeri with long flagellate hairs. Dorsal alitrunk with numerous simple hairs, without bizarre pilosity. Petiole missing from holotype. Postpetiole in profile broadly convex, the spongiform appendages poorly developed. Ventral appendage of postpetiole represented by a lobate translucent thin lamina which contains a few stiffening veins but is not spongiform. First gastral sternites with a basal felt-like fibrous pad which runs across the width of the sclerite, the fibres constituting the felt running longitudinally. In dorsal view the postpetiole unsculptured, bordered anteriorly by a narrow ribbed lamina, without lateral appendages. Posteriorly the postpetiole margin bordered by a ribbed lobate lamina on each side of a broad median gap. Basal lamella of first gastral tergite longitudinally concave and traversed by costulae which do not impinge upon the sclerite proper. This last only with very faint scratch-like markings near the base. Postpetiole with a few fine simple hairs and with fine appressed ground-pilosity. First gastral tergite only with fine appressed ground-pilosity. Colour medium brown.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Cameroun: Nr Yaounde, sample 3123 (G. Terron).