Strumigenys nigra

Brown (1971) noted that all collections of this species had been made by Berlese funnel from moss collected in mountain rain forest.

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys szalayi-group. The degree of variation in sculptural intensity is marked. No two series appear exactly alike but so little material is available that the importance of the variations observed cannot be assessed in any meaningful way. For the present all these forms are being retained as a single species. See also note under Strumigenys tigris.

Distribution
New Guinea highlands above 2,000m.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: New Guinea.

Nomenclature

 *  nigra. Strumigenys nigra Brown, 1971c: 79 (w.) NEW GUINEA. See also: Bolton, 2000: 905.

Worker
Holotype worker: TL 3.5, HL 0.91, HW 0.65, ML 0.46, WL 0.92, scape L 0.65 mm.; CI 71, MI 51.

A large species closely resembling Strumigenys szalayi in form, but differing as follows:

1. Petiole longer and more slender, with lower and more gently rounded node.

2. Vertex and occiput with fine irregular longitudinal rugulae superimposed on the punctulation. Alitrunk, legs and nodes with sculpture weaker than in S. szalayi, and effaced over much of the sides of the alitrunk and prothoracic coxae, as well as the postpetiolar disc, which are consequently smooth and shining when clean.

3. Color piceous black (gaster deep mahogany in some lights); mandibles, antennae and legs ferruginous yellow, the legs grading into reddish brown in femora and coxae; clypeus ferruginous; apex of gaster yellowish.

Bolton (2000) - TL 3.3-3.8, HL 0.90-1.00, HW 0.64-0.71, CI 68-73, ML 0.44-0.58, MI 49-58, SL 0.64-0.72, SI 95-105, PW 0.35-0.44, AL 0.92-1.04 (8 measured).

With head in profile the postocular concavity in the vetrolateral margin distinct. Propodeal teeth not long and spiniform, length very obviously less than twice the distance separating their bases. Hairs on first gastral tergite similar to those on postpetiole. Colour of head, alitrunk, waist segments and gaster uniformly, or near uniformly, dark brown to blackish brown; appendages varying from slightly paler to yellow. Sculpture variable. Cephalic dorsum may be reticulate-punctate with overlying fine rugulae, or reticulate-punctate only; in some the reticulate-punctate sculpture is partially suppressed, with relatively smooth areas on dorsa of occipital lobes. In this last case sparse but quite distinct longitudinal rugulae are present. Side of alitrunk varying from almost entirely reticulate-punctate (with only katepisternum smooth), through forms which also have smooth areas on metapleuron, side of propodeum, or both, to forms that are almost entirely smooth, in which only feeble traces of peripheral sculpture remain. Pronotal dorsum varies from entirely sharply reticulate-punctate to weakly reticulate-punctate anteriorly but smooth posteriorly. Punctures on dorsum of petiole node sharply incised to faint and widely separated. Disc of postpetiole entirely reticulate-punctate to forms with a broad smooth median longitudinal strip with feeble punctulate sculpture restricted to sides of disc. Basigastral costulae consistently very short.

Type Material
Bolton (2000) - Holotype worker and paratype worker, PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Eastern Highlands, Gominagu Valley (Collins Bros., via Goroka), Ramu-Purare Divide, 3 mi. SW of Mt Otto, 2400 m., 16.viii.1956, from moss, mountain rain forest (T. E. Woodward); paratype workers, PAPUA NEW GUINEA: same data but 2450 m., 18.viii.1956 (T. E. Woodward); Western Highlands, Al Valley (side branch of Wahgi Valley), nr Nondugl, 2150 m., 25.viii.1956 (T. E. Woodward) [examined].