Strumigenys fulda

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the mandibularis complex in the Strumigenys emarginata  group. Characters of mandibularis-complex. Dorsum of clypeus depressed anteromedially, the concave area thus formed contains a number of small scale-like appressed hairs that are directed toward the midline. Scape at subbasal angle strongly expanded, leading edge a projecting right-angle, not broadly evenly rounded. Cephalic dorsum without standing hairs.

Bolton (1983) - In the mandibularis-group fulda is immediately recognized by the massive angular extension of the antennal scape, the form and pilosity of the clypeus and the costulate-rugulose pronotal sculpture. Beside this fulda lacks the conspicuous yellow and black bands of Strumigenys tigrilla and does not have the pan of erect hairs on the vertex characteristic of Strumigenys mandibularis.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Ghana, Ivory Coast.

Nomenclature

 *  fulda. Smithistruma fulda Bolton, 1983: 282, fig. 1 (w.) IVORY COAST. Combination in Pyramica: Bolton, 1999: 1673; in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 120. See also: Bolton, 2000: 302.

Worker
Holotype. TL 2.0, HL 0.53, HW 0.42, CI 79, ML 0.04, MI 8, SL 0.24, SI 57, PW 0.26, AL 0.54.

Basal lamella of mandible concealed by clypeus, dentition as described for mandibularis. Anterior clypeal margin very deeply concave medially, the inner margin of the concavity with 5 pairs of scale-like (inner 3 pairs) to spoon-shaped (outer 2 pairs) hairs which project inward over the mandibles. Anterolateral clypeal angles broadly convex on each side of the median impression, equipped with a series of medially curved spatulate to spoon-shaped hairs which continue along the lateral clypeal margins to about the midlength of the sides of the clypeus. Dorsum of clypeus with the area behind the marginal concavity transversely quite deeply depressed, this concave area occupying about the central third of the dorsum and just over half its total length, from the anterior margin to about the level of the frontal lobes. Areas of the clypeus on each side of this central concave area are convex, as is the posterior portion of the clypeus between the frontal lobes. Dorsum of clypeus densely clothed with small flattened to scale-like hairs which are closely applied to the surface and are directed towards the clypeal midline except on that portion of the clypeus between the frontal lobes where they are directed anteriorly. Cephalic dorsum with numerous short spatulate to scale-like hairs which are larger than those on the clypeus and are all closely applied and directed forward. Dorsum of head without projecting hairs of .any description. Antennae with 4 segments. The scape narrow at the extreme base but then suddenly and very powerfully expanded, flattened and extremely broad, the leading edge passing through a strongly anteriorly projecting right-angle and equipped with a series of strong projecting hairs, the longest of which is situated at the apex of the projection. Eyes small, maximum diameter about 0.10 X HW, markedly smaller than the maximum diameter of the scape. Dorsum of head reticulate-punctate, the clypeal dorsum finely granular but the sculpture partially concealed by the pilosity. Pronotum not marginate laterally, the dorsum without a median longitudinal ridge or carina but the anterior pronotal border weakly marginate. In profile the dorsal alitrunk consisting of three separate very shallow convexities, the mesonotal slightly higher than the pronotal or propodeal, but the propodeal anteriorly the most strongly convex. Metanotal groove absent but the dorsum with a very slight indentation where the mesonotal convexity meets the propodeal. Propodeal spines not elevated but upcurved along their length, the basal halves of their ventral margins confluent with the broad infradental lamellae. Alitrunk in dorsal view with the metanotal groove represented by a transverse line and change in sculpture. Dorsal surfaces of alitrunk and petiole without standing hairs of any description but the postpetiole with a single pair of simple hairs which are directed posteriorly. First gastral tergite near base with a pair of very stout appressed hairs which are weakly clavate apically. It is possible that these hairs should be erect but have been flattened down as an accident of preservation. Gastral segments behind the first with sparse hairs. Dorsal alitrunk with scattered minute appressed spatulate hairs. Dorsal surfaces of petiole, postpetiole and first gastral tergite with similar or even smaller appressed pubescence. Pronotal dorsum finely longitudinally costulate to rugulose. Mesonotum finely rugulose anteriorly and punctulate posteriorly, the two forms of sculpture blending together centrally. Propodeal dorsum unsculptured except for some fine punctures laterally; declivity unsculptured. Dorsum of petiole node with the faintest vestiges of punctulate sculpture, the postpetiole unsculptured. First gastral tergite unsculptured except for the basal costulae which radiate from the anterolateral margin on each side of a median area which is clear. Spongiform appendages of pedicel segments well developed in profile. In dorsal view the petiole node bordered posteriorly by a broad transverse spongiform strip, the concave anterior face of the postpetiolar disc bordered by a vestigial lamina. Ventrolateral spongiform tissue of postpetiole does not project beyond the lateral margins of the disc in dorsal view. Convex posterior margin of postpetiole with an appendage which is broad and spongiform posterolaterally but narrower and laminar medially where the posterior margin of the disc itself is flattened. Base of first gastral tergite with a lamellar transverse margin which is smooth medially but traversed by the strong basigastral costulae on each side. Colour dark brown to blackish brown, the clypeus and appendages lighter.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Ivory Coast: Issoneu, 12.x.1980 (V. Mahnert & J. -L. Perret).