Strumigenys nitens

A forest inhabitant that has been found in litter samples.

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys nitens-group. S. nitens differs from Strumigenys convexiceps as follows. In nitens the clypeus and upper scrobe margins have fine faint longitudinal striolate sculpture, traces of which are also present on the cephalic dorsum between the frontal carinae; these areas are at most feebly shagreenate in convexiceps. Basigastral costulae are visible on the limbus but only extend faintly onto the extreme base of the tergite in nitens, whereas in convexiceps they extend well beyond the basal quarter of the tergite. Dorsum of head in nitens with elongate spatulate hairs that curve toward the midline. There are no such hairs in convexiceps but the vertex has a few short erect simple hairs: a pair (or possibly a transverse row of 4) in front of the highest point of the vertex, and a pair close to the occipital margin. First gastral tergite with numerous long fine curved hairs in nitens, but with very sparse (apparently only 2 pairs) of short erect hairs in convexiceps.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Bahamas, Cuba, Greater Antilles.

Nomenclature

 *  nitens. Strumigenys (Codiomyrmex) nitens Santschi, 1932e: 413, fig. 2 (w.) CUBA. Combination in Codiomyrmex Weber, 1934a: 52; in Dorisidris: Brown, 1948e: 116; in Pyramica: Bolton, 1999: 1672; in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 125. See also: Bolton, 2000: 208.

Worker
Bolton (2000) - TL 1.9-2.0, HL 0.45-0.46, HW 0.34-0.36, CI 76-78, ML 0.16-0.19, MI 36-40, SL 0.20-0.22, SI 59-61, P W 0.22-0.25, AL 0.48-0.52 (4 measured).

Mandibles in full-face view and at full closure elongate-triangular, strongly tapering apically. Extreme apices of mandibles alone engage and a broad sub ovate gap is present between them through which the broad labral lobes are visible. Inner mandibular margin with 2 small conical teeth whose apices are widely separated at full closure; the first about one-third of the margin length from the base, the second about two-thirds the way along the margin. Apex of mandible with a more or less vertical series of 4 teeth, the upper two longer and spiniform, the lower two shorter and triangular, giving a total dental count of 6.

Type Material
Bolton (2000) - Holotype worker, CUBA: Province de Pinar del Rio, Sierra del Rosario, 17.xi.1931 (A. Bierig) [specimen missing from mount, July, 1996].