Strumigenys jamaicensis

Identification
Bolton (2000) - easily distinguished from its closest relatives (defined under Strumigenys gundlachi) by its relatively large ventral postpetiolar lobe (much larger than in gundlachi) and strongly developed preapical dentition (in gundlachi preapical denticles are tiny and inconspicuous). A species as darkly coloured as jamaicensis, Strumigenys enopla, is known from high altitude in Colombia. This differs from jamaicensis as in enopla the head is narrower (CI 72 - 78) and the scape longer (SI 83 - 100). Also, in enopla the ventral and lateral postpetiolar lobes are tiny and the spongiform pad at the base of the first gastral sternite is vestigial to absent.

Distribution
This taxon was described, and is only known, from Jamaica.

Nomenclature

 *  jamaicensis. Strumigenys jamaicensis Brown, 1959c: 6 (w.) JAMAICA. Combination in Pyramica: Bolton, 1999: 1673; in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 122. See also: Brown, 1960b: 45; Bolton, 2000: 188.

Worker
TL 2.1-2.6, HL 0.48-0.56, HW 0.40-0.45, CI 81-86, ML 0.28-0.42, MI 59-77, SL 0.26-0.35, SI 65-80, PW 0.24-0.28, AL 0.53-0.58 (10 measured). Characters of gundlachi-complex; see also notes under Strumigenys gundlachi. Inner margin of mandible with 6 - 12 conspicuous strong triangular preapical denticles, located along the apical two-thirds or more of the length. Spongiform appendages present and distinct on postpetiole, in profile the ventral lobe about equal in height to the height of exposed cuticle on the side of the node. First gastral tergite smooth and shining when clean, without dense reticulate sculpture. Colour blackish-brown to black.

Type Material
Holotype worker and paratype workers, JAMAICA: St Thomas Parish, Com Puss Gap, ca 2000 ft (H. B. Mills); paratype workers, JAMAICA: Portland Parish, Hardwar Gap, ca 4000 ft (Mills) (examined).

Additional References

 * Baroni Urbani, C. & De Andrade, M.L. 2007. The ant tribe Dacetini: limits and constituent genera, with descriptions of new species. Annali del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale “G. Doria” 99: 1-191.
 * [[Media:Brown 1959c.pdf|Brown, W. L., Jr. 1959c. Some new species of dacetine ants. Breviora 108: 1-11 PDF]]