Strumigenys lancea

Collected from a rotten log in montane rainforest.

Identification
Bolton (2000) - A member of the Strumigenys szalayi-group. The combination of unicoloured yellow alitrunk that is smooth laterally, and evenly claviform petiole, distinguishes lancea from the remainder of the group.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: New Guinea.

Nomenclature

 *  lancea. Strumigenys lancea Bolton, 2000: 904 (w.q.) NEW GUINEA.

Worker
Holotype. TL 3.2, HL 0.88, HW 0.61, CI 69, ML 0.46, MI 52, SL 0.64, SI 105, PW 0.33, AL 0.89. With head in profile the postocular concavity in the vetrolateral margin very shallow and indistinct. Propodeal teeth not long and spiniform, length very obviously less than twice the distance separating their bases. Petiole in profile elongate and claviform, the node without a differentiated anterior face; dorsal outline of peduncle forms an uninterrupted inclined surface that grades gradually and evenly into the node. Dorsum of head finely reticulate-punctate, with traces of weak costulate sculpture on dorsa of occipital lobes. Pronotal dorsum feebly reticulate-punctate, very superficial in places. Side of pronotum, pleurae and side of propodeum almost entirely smooth and polished; a few weak punctulae present peripherally and on metapleuron. Disc of postpetiole very weakly punctulate to granulate, the sculpture almost effaced mid-dorsally. Basigastral costulae very short. Hairs on first gastral tergite sparse, similar to those on postpetiole. Head, alitrunk and waist segments yellow, gaster glossy dark brown.

Paratypes. TL 3.2, HL 0.86-0.87, HW 0.59-0.61, CI 69-70, ML 0.45-0.46, MI 52-53, SL 0.62-0.64, SI 102-105, PW 0.32-0.33, AL 0.88-0.89 (3 measured).

Type Material
Holotype worker, Papua New Guinea: 11 km. E Baiyer R. Sanct., 5.30S, 144.16E, 1900 m., 24.vi.1980, ex rotten log, montane forest, #4565 (P. S. Ward). Paratypes. 11 workers and 2 queens with same data as holotype (BMNH,, ) [more in alcohol in ].