Strumigenys wilsoni

The small number of collections of this species have been taken from rainforest litter samples.

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the ebbae complex in the Strumigenys koningsbergeri-group. Isolated within the group by its complete lack of spongiform tissue on the petiole. This character, coupled with the lack of humeral hairs, long scape and extensive basigastral costulae, immediately diagnoses wilsoni. In fact the scape, at SI 82, is the longest yet recorded in the koningsbergeri-group; all other species together have the range of SI 53-75.

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

Nomenclature

 *  wilsoni. Strumigenys wilsoni Brown, 1969b: 28, figs. (w.) NEW GUINEA. See also: Bolton, 2000: 856.

Worker
Bolton (2000) - TL 2.4, HL 0.63, HW 0.44, CI 70, ML 0.26, MI 41, SL 0.36, SI 82, PW 0.28, AL 0.64. With characters of ebbae-complex. Preapical tooth conical, shorter than width of andible at point where it arises. Inner margin of mandible proximal of preapical tooth with a narrow lamella that terminates just proximal of preapical tooth; lamella tapers toward base of mandible. Outer margin of mandible more or less straight from basal inflection to level of preapical tooth. Ventrolateral margin of head without a preocular concavity. Upper scrobe margins divergent from frontal lobes posteriorly but not expanded laterally; entire eye exposed and easily visible in full-face view. Apicoscrobal hair absent. Dorsum of head in profile with short simple stubbly ground-pilosity that is elevated rather than reclinate; erect hairs absent except for a transverse row of 6 along occipital margin, these hairs only slightly longer and stouter than the ground-pilosity. Pronotal humeral hair absent, pronotal dorsum with 2 pairs of short erect hairs, mesonotum with a single similar pair. Katepisternum, metapleuron and side of propodeum entirely reticulate-punctate. Lamella on propodeal declivity very narrow, its posterior (free) margin shallowly concave. Petiole in profile without trace of spongiform tissue either ventrally or laterally; ventral lobe of postpetiole well developed. Petiole node in dorsal view slightly longer than broad. Disc of postpetiole reticulate-punctate. Standing hairs on first gastral tergite mostly flattened or broadened at apex. Basigastral costulae fine and sharply defined, extending about half the length of the tergite, much longer than disc of postpetiole.

Type Material
Bolton (2000) - Holotype worker, PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Bisianumu, nr Sogeri, 15-20.iii.1955, rain forest litter (E. O. Wilson) [examined].