Strumigenys archboldi

Most of the collections of S. archboldi are from riparian or lakeside habitats with mixed conifer and broadleaf trees. It appears to inhabit a transition zone between xeric uplands and riparian or lakeside forest. A preference for relatively narrow ecotonal bands of habitat might explain why this species was not collected and described long ago. It is also possible that the species is restricted to uplands of the southeastern coastal plain, where sandy soils reduce the incidence and duration of flooding along the shores of streams and lakes. (Deyrup and Cover 1998)

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys talpa-group. The long tapering basal lamella appears to be a secondary development, filling in the site of an original diastema that was about equivalent in extent to that seen in other talpa-group members.

Deyrup and Cover (1998) - Head, in frontal view strongly wedge-shaped, the result of convergent ocular lamellae and a narrow c1ypeus; shape of head therefore resembling that of a number of other species such as Strumigenys clypeata, Strumigenys ohioensis and Strumigenys laevinasis but unlike these and other species with a wedge-shaped head, S. archboldi has a conspicuous gap between the apical series of teeth and the c1ypeal border.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Nearctic Region: United States.



Nomenclature

 *  archboldi. Smithistruma archboldi Deyrup & Cover, 1998: 217, fig. 2 (w.q.) U.S.A. Combination in Pyramica: Bolton, 1999: 1673; in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 115. See also: Bolton, 2000: 131.

Worker
Bolton (2000) - TL 1.9-2.0, HL 0.52-0.56, HW 0.36-0.38, CI 67-69, ML 0.09-0.10, MI 16-19, SL 0.28-0.29, SI 75-78, PW 0.21-0.24, AL 0.48-0.54 (5 measured).

Diagnosed within the group by its extensive mandibular basal lamella. This is clearly visible in full-face view with the mandibles fully closed and extends forwards from the anterior clypeal margin for about one-third of the exposed mandible length. It is highest posteriorly and tapers down anteriorly to the base of the first (basal) tooth; there is no diastema or at most a tiny gap, that is much shorter than the length of the basal tooth, between narrow apex of lamella and base of first tooth. This contrasts strongly with the condition seen in the other three members of the group where the basal lamella is partially or mostly concealed at full mandibular closure, occupying at most only a tiny percentage of the exposed length of the mandible and separated from the basal tooth by a long diastema.

Type Material
Bolton (2000) - Holotype worker and paratype workers and queen, U.S.A.: Florida, Lake Co., Ocala National Forest, Road 445 at Alexander Springs Creek, mesic oak and pine forest, west side of creek on south side of road, 3.ix.1995 (M. Deyrup); further paratypes: 199 additional workers and 7 queens from many localities in Florida and one in Georgia, see original description (,, , , Florida State Collection Gainsville, Archbold Biological Station Florida, Canadian National Collection Ottawa, Field Museum Chicago and personal collections of M. DuBois, W. MacKay and P.S. Ward) [examined].