Strumigenys simulans group

Strumigenys simulans group Bolton (2000)

Neotropical

 * Strumigenys simulans

Worker Diagnosis
Mandibles in full-face view and at full closure short triangular, with convex outer margins and masticatory margins that engage throughout their length. Cuticular margins of mandibles from which the rows of teeth arise are subparallel to slightly divergent anteriorly for most of their length, but converge apically in full-face view at full closure. In ventral view mandible apparently without an inflected prebasal angle. MI 16.

Dentition. Basal tooth follows basal lamella without a diastema. From the base the masticatory margin has a row of 6 triangular to conical teeth that gradually increase in size distally. Tooth 6 is followed by a slightly smaller seventh, then a reduced tooth and a somewhat larger apical tooth, to give a total dental count of 9.

Basal lamella of mandible with its anterior margin and part of its mesial margin visible immediately in front of the anterior clypeal margin in full-face view with mandibles fully closed. Lamella slightly taller than basal tooth, about equal in height to second tooth.

Labrum: not visible in syntypes (only available material).

Clypeus with anterior margin broadly concave, the anterolateral angles rounded and the lateral margins weakly divergent posteriorly. Outer margins of mandibles intersect anterior clypeal margin mesad of the anterolateral clypeal angles. Lateral clypeal margins project laterally far beyond outer margins of mandibles and posteriorly are confluent with the expanded frontal lobes, the outline only interrupted by a minute impression where they meet.

Clypeal dorsum with numerous very short fine erect hairs; lateral margins of clypeus fringed with similar short fine hairs that project laterally.

Frontal lobes and frontal carinae strongly expanded laterally, their dorsolateral margins almost straight, weakly divergent posteriorly and in full-face view continuous with the dorsolateral margins of the occipital lobes.

Preocular carina not visible in full-face view, completely concealed by the expanded frontal lobe and frontal carina.

Ventrolateral margin of head not marginate immediately in front of eye, with a shallowly concave margination at the postbuccal impression; the latter forming a conspicuous notch in profile.

Cuticle of side of head within the scrobe weakly reticulate in lower half, smooth in the upper half.

Scape short, SI 61, but quite slender, broadening from base to about the midlength and without a subbasal angle; not dorsoventrally flattened and with a weakly defined leading edge.

Leading edge of scape without projecting hairs of any form.

Pronotum not marginate dorsolaterally, the dorsum convex and rounding broadly into the sides.

Propodeum with a pair of triangular teeth that are subtended by a narrow lamella.

Spongiform appendages fully developed, with a ventral curtain and lateral lobes on the petiole, ventral and lateral lobes on the postpetiole and a large spongiform pad basally on the first gastral sternite.

Pilosity. Pronotal humeral hair elongate, shallowly curved and simple.