Strumigenys ninda

Known from both natural and disturbed forest habitats, specimens have been found in litter samples.

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the mandibularis complex in the Strumigenys emarginata  group. Characters of mandibularis-complex. Cephalic dorsum without standing hairs. Clypeal dorsum not depressed anteromedially. Leading edge of scape rounded at subbasal angle, not right-angled. Basigastral costulae radiate from each side of a median costula-free area. Colour usually dark brown to blackish, only rarely lighter.

Bolton (1983) - The non-paratypic material from Ivory Coast has the alitrunk light brown and the gaster much darker brown, and has a single pair of stout erect hairs close to the base of the first gastral tergite. Such hairs are absent in the type-series but are frequently seen in Ghanaian and Nigerian specimens. The colour of the Ghana material is intermediate between that of the holotype and the lighter Ivory Coast samples.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Cameroun, Central African Republic, Chad, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast.

Nomenclature

 *  ninda. Smithistruma ninda Bolton, 1983: 284, fig. 2 (w.) CAMEROUN. Combination in Pyramica: Bolton, 1999: 1673; in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 125. See also: Bolton, 2000: 304.

Worker
Holotype. TL 1.8, HL 0.52, HW 0.38, CI 73, ML 0.04, MI 8, SL 0.20, SI 53, PW 0.24, AL 0.48.

Anterior clypeal margin deeply concave medially, the concavity fringed with 4 pairs of scale-like hairs which project over the mandibles. Sides of clypeus distinctly convergent anteriorly, fringed by a continuous row of spatulate to spoon-shaped hairs which are curved anteriorly. Mandibles closed in holotype but from a paratype the dentition consisting of a high narrowly triangular basal lamella which is blunted apically and distinctly longer than the largest tooth. A minute diastema separates the basal lamella from the principal row of 5 relatively stout teeth, and these are followed distally by two slightly smaller teeth, 4 minute denticles and a small apical tooth. Dorsum of clypeus and cephalic dorsum without standing hairs of any description, with widely scattered and somewhat flattened minute appressed hairs which are directed anteriorly. Antennae with 4 segments. Scape narrow at base, bent and suddenly broadened in its basal quarter; the leading edge broadly convex at the bend and equipped with a row of freely projecting spatulate to spoon-shaped hairs, but the margin not projecting forward into a broad free lobe or strong angle. Maximum diameter of eye 0.13 X HW. Dorsum of head finely and densely reticulate-punctate, the sculpture becoming finer and more granular anteriorly. Clypeal dorsum granular to merely shagreened. Pronotum without a median longitudinal ridge or carina dorsally, not marginate laterally, the dorsum shallowly transversely convex and rounding broadly and evenly into the sides. With the alitrunk in profile the mesonotum forming a shallow convexity separate from that of the pronotum and propodeum, the metanotal groove extremely faintly indicated on the dorsum, not impressed in profile. Propodeal teeth short and triangular, the anterior half or slightly more of the ventral margin confluent with the broad infradental lamellae. Dorsal surfaces of alitrunk, petiole and first gastral tergite only with very sparse minute appressed pubescence, without standing hairs of any description. Posterior border of postpetiole with a single pair of feebly clavate standing hairs and similar hairs are present on the gastral tergites behind the first. Sides of alitrunk smooth, with a few feeble marginal punctures. Dorsal alitrunk smooth except for a narrow band of punctures just behind the anterior pronotal margin. The alitrunk frequently with a dull slightly rough appearance due to a superficial waxy deposit which when removed leaves the surface smooth and highly polished. Petiole and postpetiole unsculptured dorsally, the first gastral tergite unsculptured except for the basigastral costulae which arise on each side of a central clear area. Spongiform appendages of pedicel segments moderately developed in profile. In dorsal view the petiole node with a distinct spongiform strip posteriorly. Anterior margin of postpetiole with a strip which is about half the width of that on the petiole. Posterior margin of postpetiole with a spongiform strip which is broadest laterally and narrowed centrally. Base of first gastral tergite with a laminar strip which is broadest laterally where it is traversed by the basigastral costulae. Colour dark brown.

Paratypes. TL 1.7-1.8, HL 0.48-0.52, HW 0.37-0.38, CI 73-79, ML 0.03-0.05, MI 7-10, SL 0.18-0.20, SI 50-54, PW 0.22-0.24, AL 0.47-0.50 (9 measured).

As holotype, the maximum diameter of the eye 0.12-0.14 X HW.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Cameroun: Nkoemvon, 28.ix.1980, no. N 33 (D. Jackson). Paratypes. 6 workers with same data as holotype; 3 workers with same data but 6.x.1980, no. N 34; 1 worker with same data but l.viii.1980, no. N 18 (BMNH; ; ; ).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Belshaw R., and B. Bolton. 1994. A survey of the leaf litter ant fauna in Ghana, West Africa (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research 3: 5-16.
 * Belshaw R., and B. Bolton. 1994. A survey of the leaf litter ant fauna in Ghana, West Africa (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research. 3: 5-16.
 * Bolton B. 1983. The Afrotropical dacetine ants (Formicidae). Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History). Entomology 46: 267-416.
 * Bolton, B. 2000. The Ant Tribe Dacetini. Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 65
 * IZIKO South Africa Museum Collection
 * Kone M., S. Konate, K. Yeo, P. K. Kouassi, and K. E. Linsenmair. 2012. Changes in ant communities along an age gradient of cocoa cultivation in the Oumé region, central Côte dIvoire. Entomological Science 15: 324339.
 * Yeo K., T. Delsinne, S. Komate, L. L. Alonso, D. Aidara, and C. Peeters. 2016. Diversity and distribution of ant assemblages above and below ground in a West African forest–savannah mosaic (Lamto, Cote d’Ivoire). Insectes Sociaux DOI 10.1007/s00040-016-0527-6
 * Yeo K., and A. Hormenyo. 2007. A Rapid Survey of Ants in Ajenjua Bepo and Mamang River Forest Reserves, Eastern Region of Ghana. Pp 27-29. In McCullough, J., P. Hoke, P. Naskrecki, and Y. Osei-Owusu (eds.). 2008. A Rapid Biological Assessment of the Ajenjua Bepo and Mamang River Forest Reserves, Ghana. RAP Bulletin of Biological Assessment 50. Conservation International, Arlington, VA, USA.