Strumigenys minima

Known from litter samples collected from a number of forest habitats (moist evergreen, rainforest and tropical wet forest).

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys argiola group. Antenna 4-segmented. Apicodorsal tooth of mandible short and insignificant. Mandible without preapical teeth but dorsum of each mandible with 2 large flattened hairs present. Inner pair of large flattened hairs that project from anterior clypeal margin as long as, or slightly longer than, the outer pair. Cephalic dorsum with orbicular hairs present from posterior clypeal margin to occipital margin. A conspicuous ventral spongiform lobe present on postpetiole. See also notes under species-group and under Strumigenys laticeps.

Bolton (1983) - S. minimus is easily separated from its Afrotropical congeners by its 4-merous antennae, small size and strongly developed spongiform ventral lobes on the postpetiole.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Cameroun, Ghana, Uganda.

Nomenclature

 *  minima. Epitritus minimus Bolton, 1972: 205, figs. 1, 2 (w.) GHANA. Combination in Pyramica: Bolton, 1999: 1672; in Strumigenys: Baroni Urbani & De Andrade, 2007: 124. See also: Bolton, 1983: 355; Bolton, 2000: 290.

Worker
Bolton (1983) - TL 1.2, HL 0.29, HW 0.29-0.31, CI 100-107, ML 0.09, MI 31, SL 0.17, SI 55-59, PW 0.20-0.21, AL 0.32 (2 measured).

Mandibles without pre apical teeth and without an elongate spiniform tooth at the dorsal apex. Apical armament of mandible: a more or less vertical series of 6 small denticles of which the basalmost is the largest, the pre basal approximately half this length and the upper group of 4 only about a quarter the length of the basal. Dorsal surfaces of each mandibular blade with two large flattened hairs, the distal hair slightly smaller than the proximal. Anterior clypeal margin with 4 large flattened hairs which project anteriorly, and with a pair of smaller hairs. Clypeus with minute scale-like hairs only. Dorsum of head with numerous large orbicular hairs which occur from the posterior clypeal margin to the occiput, the dorsum with a narrow median longitudinal strip which is free from such hairs. Head without any other form of pilosity. Antennae with 4 segments, the scape with a very strongly prominent subbasal lobe and fringed with large flattened to spoon-shaped projecting hairs. Eyes minute, of a single ommatidium. Anteromedian portion of clypeus shining, the remainder of the head finely and very densely punctulate-granular and dull. Promesonotum fused in profile, the point of junction marked by a slight impression. Mesonotum behind the impression shallowly convex and weakly inflated, ending posteriorly on a slightly higher level than the propodeum. Propodeal dorsum convex and sloping downwards posteriorly, without teeth or spines but the declivity margined by a conspicuous lamella on each side. Dorsum of pronotum, and to a lesser extent the mesonotum, with scattered minute stubble-like erect hairs which are shorter than the diameter of the propodeal spiracular orifice. In dorsal view the alitrunk densely and finely punctulate-granular everywhere, the shallow impression separating pronotum and mesonotum feebly visible medially, but the mesonotum and propodeum separated by a distinct transverse line. Petiole and postpetiole both broader than long in dorsal view, the latter much broader than the former; the petiole without spongiform appendages and such appendages restricted on the postpetiole to a posterior transverse strip which is broadly interrupted medially. In profile the petiole peduncle ventrally with a small anteriorly situated lamella, without spongiform material. Postpetiole in profile with moderately developed spongiform appendages posterolaterally and with a conspicuous ventral spongiform lobe. Petiole and postpetiole punctulate-granular, with sparse minute hairs such as are present on the pronotum. Gaster with short weak basal costulae, with short erect weakly clavate straight hairs. Colour dull yellow to yellowish brown.

Type Material
Bolton (1983) - Holotype and paratype workers, GHANA: Eastern Region, Akwapim Dist., Mampong, litter sample in cocoa farm, 27.vii.1970 (P. M. Room) [examined].