Strumigenys jepsoni

Known from few collections, little is known about this species.

Identification
Bolton (2000) – A member of the smythiesii complex in the Strumigenys godeffroyi-group. See notes under Strumigenys solifontis.

Sarnat and Economo (2012) - Strumigenys jepsoni can be distinguished from the other Fijian members of the smythiesii complex (Strumigenys chernovi, Strumigenys ekasura, Strumigenys godeffroyi, S. jepsoni, Strumigenys panaulax and Strumigenys scelesta) by its stiff and simple (as opposed to flagellate) humeral hair.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Fiji, Wallis and Futuna Islands.

Nomenclature

 *  jepsoni. Strumigenys jepsoni Mann, 1921: 462, fig. 22 (w.) FIJI IS. See also: Bolton, 2000: 809.

Worker
Bolton (2000) - TL 2.4-2.7, HL 0.59-0.66, HW 0.43-0.48, CI 72-73, ML 0.24-0.28, MI 41-42, SL 0.34-0.40, SI 77-83, PW 0.26-0.30, AL 0.63-0.72 (7 measured).

Characters of smythiesii-complex. Preapical tooth on mandible subequal to maximum width of mandible. Apicoscrobal hair simple, short and stiff; anterior and posterior to this hair the margin without freely projecting hairs. In profile cephalic dorsum with a single pair of short erect hairs just in front of highest point of vertex, and a transverse row of 4 at the occipital margin. Pronotal humeral hair stiff and simple, slightly curved. Pronotal dorsum and mesonotum each with a single pair of erect simple hairs. Pronotal dorsum weakly punctulate-striolate to feebly striolate-shagreenate, mesonotum superficially punctulate-shagreenate; propodeal dorsum and declivity glassy smooth. Lamella on propodeal declivity confluent with whole length of tooth, its posterior (free) margin indented below the tooth but then lamella distinctly broadening and the margin convex. With petiole in dorsal view the peduncle with a pair of dorsolateral longitudinal cuticular carinae that are parallel to just in front of the node then markedly concave to base of node; immediately in front of node with a distinctly pinched-together appearance. In profile each dorsolateral carina arises anterior to spiracle, continues the length of the peduncle and ascends the anterior face of the node. Dorsum of petiole node smooth; lateral spongiform lobes of petiole, in dorsal view and profile, extend about the posterior two-thirds the length of the node. Disc of postpetiole smooth. Erect hairs on first gastral tergite fine and simple, restricted to two transverse rows, one near base, the other near apex. Basigastral costulae strongly developed, slightly shorter than disc of postpetiole.

Type Material
Bolton (2000) - Syntype workers, FIJI IS: Vanua Levu, Suene (W. M. Mann) [examined].

Etymology
Named after Mr. F. P. Jespon, Entomologist of Fiji.