Strumigenys magnifica

Little is known about the biology of . The type specimens, obtained via litter-sampling, are the only collection of this ant.

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the magnifica complex in the Strumigenys doriae-group. S. magnifica is closest related to Strumigenys gloriosa and Strumigenys superba, sharing the mandibular characters noted for the magnifica-complex. These species also have the main pilosity on all the dorsal surfaces of the head and body exceptionally long and luxurious. In gioriosa and magnifica the spongiform tissue of the petiole is much better developed than in superba. In the first two the lateral lobe of the petiole extends forward to the spiracle and is conspicuously spongiform even at its anteriormost point. Also in these two the ventral spongiform curtain of the petiole extends the length of the segment and is almost or quite as deep anteriorly as posteriorly. By contrast the lateral spongiform lobe of the petiole in superba is short, confined to the side of the node and not extending anywhere near the spiracle on the peduncle. The ventral spongiform curtain of the petiole is deepest posteriorly and tapers anteriorly, usually petering out near the midlength of the peduncle. S. gioriosa separates from magnifica as the former has a dense pelt of short grey pubescence on the dorsal alitrunk and waist segments. On the side of the propodeum this pubescence is so dense as to obscure the spiracle. See also under Strumigenys doriae.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Borneo, Indonesia, Malaysia.

Nomenclature

 *  magnifica. Strumigenys magnifica Bolton, 2000: 776 (w.) WEST MALAYSIA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 4.3, HL 1.16, HW 0.69, CI 59, ML 0.62, MI 53, SL 0.82, SI 119, PW 0.36, AL 1.18. Mandible without trace o f preapical dentition. With apical fork of mandible in frontal view the dorsal and ventral teeth are of approximately equal length, are widely separated and form a broad U-shape. Lateral spongiform lobe of petiole broad posteriorly, tapering anteriorly and ex tending forward as far as the spiracle on the peduncle. Ventral spongiform curtain on petiole extending whole length of segment, not petering out anterior to spiracle on peduncle. Pilosity abundant everywhere, the main hairs extremely long and fine, subflagellate to flagellate. Longest projecting hair on upper scrobe margin Gust posterior to level of eye) extremely elongate, about 0.75 X SL. Dorsum of head with erect hairs in front of highest point of vertex that are as long and spectacular as those located more posteriorly; the longest hairs easily exceed the maximum depth of the head in profile. Longest hairs on promesonotal dorsum are much longer than maximum depth of alitrunk. Between the bases of these promesonotal hairs is short sparse dilute pubescence, the promesonotal dorsal outline, seen in profile, does not appear to have a short furry layer between the long hairs. In oblique dorsal view side of propodeum without dense standing pubescence that obscures the spiracle. Longest hairs on first gastral tergite about 0.52, approximately equal to the length of the tergite from base of limbus to apex of segment and distinctly longer than the maximum depth of the first gastral segment in profile.

Paratypes. TL 3.5-4.4, HL 0.94-1.18, HW 0.59-0.76, CI 50-53, ML 0.48-0.62, MI 50-53, SL 0.61-0.82, SI 103-119, PW 0.31-0.42, AL 0.92-1.22 (6 measured).

A non-paratypic worker from Sarawak is somewhat larger and has longer scapes than any of the type-series: HL 1.26, HW 0.74, CI 59, ML 0.68, MI 54, SL 0.95, SI 128, PW 0.40, AL 1.32.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Malaysia: Negri Sembilan, Pasoh For. Res. iii-iv.1994, litter sample, no. 89 (Brendell, Jackson & Ficken).

Paratypes. 2 workers with same data but no. 13; 3 workers with same data but xi. 1994 (Brendell, Jackson & Lewis); 1 worker, Malaysia: Pahang, Cameron Highlands, trail 9, 1400 m., 27.iii.1993, #21 (Lobl & Calame) (BMNH,, ).

Determination Clarifications
This species was referred to as Strumigenys sp. 1 in Bolton, 1998b: 92.