Strumigenys dromoshaula

This species has only been collected a few times and nothing is known about its biology.

Identification
Within the 13 species of the farei-complex six have the preocular notch extended onto the ventral surface of the head as a transverse groove or impression. Of the six, Strumigenys pretoriae and Strumigenys petiolata lack flagellate hairs at the pronotal humeri. Strumigenys faurei has the postpetiole sculptured. Strumigenys shaula is separated from Strumigenys dromoshaula by the key character concerning the shape of the ventral extension of the preocular notch, and Strumigenys rufobrunea is distinguished by its dental characteristics as the distal preapical tooth is short and widely separated from the proximal.

Preocular impression on ventral surface of head forming a broad dish-like concavity that is at least as broad as the maximum diameter of the eye and usually broader; the edges of the impression are rounded and not sharply defined.

Distribution
This taxon was described from Burundi. It is also found in Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Biology
Nothing is known about the biology or ecology of this species.

Castes
Queens and males are unknown.

Description
HOLOTYPE WORKER. TL 2.1, HL 0.55, HW 0.41, CI 75, ML 0.27, MI 49, SL 0.29, SI 70, PW 0.27, AL 0.54

Mandibles in full-face view stout and shalloowly bowed outwards. Apical fork of each mandible of 2 spiniform teeth, without intercalary teeth or denticles. Blade of each mmandible with 2 preapical teeth, the proximal much the largest in each case and the space separating the preapical teeth shorter than the length of the distal tooth; both preapical teeth situated in the apical third of the length of the blade. Upper scrobne margins bordered by a narrow rim or flange throughout their length, evenly divergent posteriorly and more or less straight rather than sinuate. Eyes of moderate size, the maximum diameter about 0.18xHW. In full-face view the eyes plainly visible and their maximum length distinctly greater than the maximum width of the scape.. Preocular notch conspicuous and strongly developed, the anterior portion of the eye detached from the side of the head. Preocular notch extended onto ventral surface of head as a broad impression whose width is about equal to or slightly larger than the maximum diameter of the eye and whose margins are rounded and not sharply defined. Antennal scapes very weakly bent in the basal third and somewhat thickkened in the median third, the leading edges with an apically curved row of narrow spoon-shaped hairs. Ground-pilosity of cephalic dorsum consisting of inconspicuous spatulate to spoon-shaped minute hairs, the upper scrobe margins fringed with a row of much larger very distinctive spoon-shaped hairs which are curved anteriorly. Dorsum of head posteriorly with 6 standing hairs arranged in a transverse row of 4 close to the occipial margin and a more anteriorly situated pair. In the holotype this anteriorly situated pair, close to the highest point of the vertex, is flattened to the surface, but erect in the paratypes. Dorsum of head finely and densely reticulate-punctate. Pronotal humeri each with a single fine flagellate hair, the mesonotum with a single pair of stout standing hairs. Ground-pilosity of dorsal alitrunk of minute flattened hairs which are closely applied to the surface. Posterior portion of mesonotum slightly depressed behind the level of the pairs of hairs; metanotal groove forming a line across the surface but not impressed. Propodeal teeth broadly triangular and lamellate, sharply elevated and subtended by narrow infradental peripheral punctation, which is best developed on the uppermost parts. Sides of propodeum finely punctate. Pronotal dorsum finely longitudinally rugulose with a few punctures visible laterally but the remainder of the dorsal alitrunk reticulate-punctate. Petiole node faintly punctulate dorsally, the sculpture almost effaced; postpetiole smooth. Spongiform appendages of pedicel segments moderately developed. Subpetiolar process consisting of a thickened cuticular longitudinal ride which is shallowly concave ventrally and from which a narrowly lunate spongiform strip is dependent. Ventral spongiform lobe of postpetiole large than lateral lobe, about as large as the exposed area of the postpetiolar disc in profile. In dorsal view the postpetiole node with a broad lamellate strip posteriorly which abuts a similar but narrower strip across the base of the first gastral tergite. Petiole node distinctly broader than long in dorsal view. Basigastral costulae arising from the lamellate strip on each side of a central clear area. Petiole, postpetiole and gaster with stout standing hairs which are somewhat thickened apically. Colour brownish yellow, the gaster dark brown.

PARATYPE WORKERS. TL 2.1, HL 0.54-0.55, HW 0.40-0.41, CI 74-75, ML 0.26-0.27, MI 48-49, SL 0.28-0.29, SI 68-73, PW 0.27, AL 0.52 (2 measured).

Holotype worker, Burundi: Bugarama, 2200m, 1976-7, under Eucalyptus (A. Dejean) (MCZ). Paratypes. 2 workers with same data as holotype (MCZC; BMNH).